Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a not-for-profit professional organization representing surgeons, researchers and allied healthcare professionals involved in surgeries of the heart, lungs, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. It is the largest cardiothoracic surgery organization in the world with more than 7,700 members in 110 countries. 

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Strokes more likely for U.S. heart transplant recipients following policy change

A nationwide policy shift implemented in 2018 was designed to, among other things, improve the waiting list mortality rate. One unintended consequence, however, is that patients are now more likely to experience a stroke after receiving a new heart.

Inspiris Resilia aortic valve from Edwards Lifesciences

First-in-class SAVR valve from Edwards Lifesciences linked to positive 5-year outcomes

Researchers focused on a relatively young patient population, hoping to learn as much as possible about the surgical valve's safety and effectiveness over an extended period of time. 

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Cardiology groups urge Congress to ‘take a stand’ after spending proposal fails to fix Medicare cuts

A new spending proposal that would extend government funding for another seven months does not address the Medicare payment cut that went into effect on Jan. 1. More than 100 healthcare groups, including the ACC, STS, SCCT and SCAI, are now voicing their disappointment. 

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TAVR vs. SAVR: Real-world data highlight advantages of both techniques

The biggest differences, researchers noted, were found in the long-term outcomes of low- and intermediate-risk patients.

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Heart surgery during pregnancy: Tracking the safety of a rare, sometimes unavoidable, scenario

How safe is it to perform cardiac surgery on a pregnant patient? When should care teams try to deliver the baby first and then complete the procedure? A team of Mayo Clinic researchers addressed those very questions, and many others, in a new analysis. 

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Ross procedure linked to high levels of safety, effectiveness after 20 years

“It has the added advantage of avoiding oral anticoagulation drugs and the risks associated with lifelong anticoagulation," one researcher explained. "In fact, most of our patients are not on any cardiac medications following one year after surgery.”

A study that analyzed patient outcomes in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in veterans showed outcomes for on-pump and off-pump procedures over 10 years to be similar. Photo by Jim Lennon

SAVR/CABG vs. TAVR/PCI: Key differences when heart patients present with severe AS and CAD

Surgery offers multiple long-term benefits when compared to a more interventional approach, though it is still associated with certain risks of its own. In the end, researchers agree, the decision is one that should involve input from surgeons, cardiologists and others.

Newsweek ranked the 50 best heart hospitals in the world

Young SAVR patients live longer with mechanical valves—should surgeons, cardiologists rethink current practice?

Bioprosthetic valves are being used more and more for aortic valve replacement, but mechanical valves appear to provide better long-term outcomes for patients 60 and younger. The new study, based on data from nearly 110,000 patients, was presented at STS 2025 and published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Around the web

GE HealthCare said the price of iodine contrast increased by more than 200% between 2017 to 2023. Will new Chinese tariffs drive costs even higher?

Several key trends were evident at the Radiological Society of North America 2024 meeting, including new CT and MR technology and evolving adoption of artificial intelligence.