Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, heart transplant, assisting in minimally invasive transcatheter valve structural heart procedures such as TAVR, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion, septal myectomy, surgical ablation for arrhythmias, and reconstruction of the heart in congenial heart disease cases.

Anemia may help explain why women are more likely to die during heart bypass surgery
Finding new ways to avoid intraoperative anemia could go a long way toward improving outcomes for female CABG patients. The full analysis, based on more than 1.4 million patients, was published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths
The issue at the center of this recall, which includes both the HeartMate II and HeartMate 3 LVAD, is the gradual buildup of biological materials. This can impact the device's performance, creating a heightened risk of injury or death.
TAVR, SAVR both linked to low reintervention rates after five years
While most TAVR-related reinterventions occurred in the first year after treatment, most SAVR-related reinterventions occurred in years two through five. The team's full analysis is available in JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions.
First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required
An independent heart team blinded to ICA results was able to deliver helpful guidance for CABG procedures for 99.1% of patients using just CCTA and FFR_CT alone. This approach is safe and feasible, researchers wrote, and the next step is to gather additional data.
ACC.24: TAVR linked to lower 1-year mortality, stroke rates than SAVR in low-risk patients
TAVR is noninferior to SAVR when treating low-risk patients, according to new data presented at ACC.24. In fact, it is associated with multiple benefits over surgery.

Francisco Arabia, MD, Banner Health, explains trends in total artificial hearts (TAH) in advanced heart failure patients and what is coming in new technology.

Total artificial hearts: Exploring the future of heart transplant technology with a renowned surgeon

Francisco Arabia, MD, spoke with Cardiovascular Business about the present and future of total artificial heart technology.

February 5, 2024

FDA announces Class I recall of more than 250,000 chest drains over safety concerns

According to the FDA, using these devices without following manufacturer recommendations could lead to “serious injuries or death."

January 31, 2024

According to the U.S. government, Asante Health System and one of its surgeons knowingly submitted false claims to Medicare, Medicaid and TRICARE for more than six years. Heart surgery surgeons.

SAVR in the TAVR era: Volumes are down, but it remains the go-to choice for certain patient populations

Annual SAVR volumes in the United States decreased by a whopping 44.5% from 2012 to 2022. However, heart teams across the country seem to agree that surgery is a safer, more effective treatment option than TAVR when patients present with bicuspid aortic valves.

January 30, 2024

U.S. News & World Report children’s hospitals cardiology heart surgery

Heart surgery outcomes comparable at high- and low-volume children’s hospitals

You can't judge a pediatric heart center by its volume, according to new research presented during STS 2024 in San Antonio.

January 29, 2024

Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, is elected president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Image from STS 2024 courtesy of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.

Congenital heart specialist named first female president of Society of Thoracic Surgeons

STS announced the news Monday at its annual meeting in San Antonio. Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, is officially the first female president in the organization's 60-year history.

January 29, 2024

Heart surgeons alarmed by high number of young patients choosing TAVR over SAVR

Nearly 50% of patients under the age of 60 are now opting for TAVR over SAVR, according to a new study presented at STS 2024 in San Antonio. "We owe it to our patients to take a more prominent role in providing the highest quality evidence to help our patients make these major healthcare decisions," one researcher said.

January 28, 2024

Overview of the Tootsie Roll technique for treating paravalvular leak in certain transcatheter heart valve patients. Tootsie Roll paravalvular leak transcatheter heart valves.

New ‘Tootsie Roll’ technique could help cardiologists treat PVL in transcatheter heart valves

Paravalvular leak remains a significant problem after TAVR, SAVR and even TMVR. Could a new-look interventional technique help heart teams overcome this issue and improve patient outcomes?

January 24, 2024

older patient with a doctor at their house

Valve-in-valve TAVR with Medtronic’s CoreValve devices still safe and effective after 5 years

Researchers tracked five-year data from more than 200 patients, sharing their findings in the American Journal of Cardiology.

January 22, 2024

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New imaging protocols proposed to curb rise of cardiovascular infections

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

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Cardiac Surgery

Anemia may help explain why women are more likely to die during heart bypass surgery

FDA announces new recall of Abbott’s HeartMate LVADs after 14 deaths

TAVR, SAVR both linked to low reintervention rates after five years

First-in-human trial shows potential of guiding CABG with cardiac CT and AI—no ICA required

ACC.24: TAVR linked to lower 1-year mortality, stroke rates than SAVR in low-risk patients

Around the web