The recall was put in place after a customer discovered “visible black particulate matter” in a sealed vial. If the contaminant enters a patient's blood vessels, it could lead to serious complications, including a stroke or even death. 

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.

Gilbert Tang, MD, explains how transcatheter tricuspid TEER and total valve replacement options will likely lead to higher tricuspid valve surgical volumes in the years ahead.

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.

Cardiac surgeon Joseph F. Sabik III, MD, is an established clinical researcher and has held several committee positions with STS over the years.

In addition, researchers noted, five-year mortality was inferior for patients on Medicaid when compared to patients with any other type of insurance. 

The historic LVAD implant was performed on a 35-year-old patient with advanced heart failure. His symptoms included kidney and lung deterioration.

It looked like the wildfires in Los Angeles could force STS to cancel its annual meeting, but the group worked with city officials and was able to carry on as planned. STS President Jennifer C. Romano, MD, MS, discussed that difficult decision and previewed the three-day event in a new interview.