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.

TAVR or SAVR? Market competition may be influencing these decisions
Hospitals located in more competitive markets may be more likely to perform TAVR instead of SAVR, according to a new analysis of more than 130,000 patients. Is this a reason for concern?
Surgeons use modified ‘frozen elephant trunk’ technique for first heart surgery of its kind
When the devices needed for a specific procedure were not available, a group of surgeons got creative. Their one-of-a-kind approach was a success, and the patient has experienced no complications.
New recalls announced for troubled heart devices—FDA previously urged customers to seek alternatives
These most recent recalls focus on a series of maintenance issues. In 2024, the FDA advised customers to transition away from the two devices and find alternative treatment options.
Researchers receive $3.2M in federal funding to test new heart pump for children
The device, currently just a prototype, could be the first of its kind to gain FDA approval.
FDA announces Class I recall of patches used for heart surgery
There is a risk of certain pericardial patches not being as strong or durable as needed. Customers are urged to identify, quarantine and replace these devices.

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Answering key follow-up questions after the FDA approved TAVR in asymptomatic patients

The approval of certain TAVR valves to be used in asymptomatic patients is expected to make a significant impact on patient care going forward.

Smaller LV dimensions may increase risk of death for HeartMate 3 LVAD patients

Researchers tracked short- and long-term data from nearly 2,000 patients, presenting their findings in JACC: Heart Failure.

Paragonix SherpaPak Cardiac Transport System

Sterile, temperature-controlled preservation reduces long-term mortality after heart transplant by 54%

An advanced preservation system from Paragonix, a Getinge company, was linked to dramatic reductions in both mortality and procedural complications.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons shares new risk calculator for aortic surgeries

Society of Thoracic Surgeons shares new risk calculator for complex aortic procedures

The new resource was built to help care teams plan for ascending aorta and aortic root surgeries.

Robotic mitral valve repair linked to benefits for elderly patients

Robotic and traditional mitral valve repair surgeries are mostly associated with similar outcomes when treating elderly patients. In some ways, however, robotic procedures may be preferred.

Michael J. Reardon, MD, the Allison Family Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Research and a professor of medicine at the DeBakey Heart and Vascular Center, Houston Methodist Hospital, explains the late-breaking five-year results of the Evolut Low-Risk Trial presented at the American College of Cardiology (ACC) 2025 meeting. The data show positive results for the Evolut transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) system vs. surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).

Self-expanding TAVR valves deliver outcomes and durability comparable to surgery after 5 years

Michael Reardon, MD, detailed five-year data out of ACC.25 that found Medtronic's Evolut TAVR platform performs as well as SAVR—and even better in some ways.

Atrial Fibrillation Centers of Excellence: The best path forward for high-quality care and better outcomes

The world is in the throes of an AFib pandemic, one that could potentially get worse in the years ahead due to population growth, economic hardships and rigid resource limitations. According to the Heart Rhythm Society, one way to effectively combat this issue is the development of more AFib Centers of Excellence.

Edwards Lifesciences INSPIRIS RESILIA Aortic Valve

Resilia tissue developed by Edwards Lifesciences linked to long-term benefits

Researchers tracked nearly 1,000 SAVR patients, presenting eight-year data at the Heart Valve Society’s annual meeting in Cairo, Egypt.

Cardiac Surgery

TAVR or SAVR? Market competition may be influencing these decisions

Surgeons use modified ‘frozen elephant trunk’ technique for first heart surgery of its kind

New recalls announced for troubled heart devices—FDA previously urged customers to seek alternatives

Researchers receive $3.2M in federal funding to test new heart pump for children

FDA announces Class I recall of patches used for heart surgery