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 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

Heart surgeons may deliver better outcomes during stressful procedures

Excessive stress may still be harmful to a surgeon's performance, researchers warned, but moderate stress early on during a procedure appears to reduce the odds of a major complication.

A TAVR procedure being performed at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. These structural heart procedures require a team approach.

Diabetes reduces survival after SAVR, but not TAVR

"TAVR has been associated with better valve hemodynamics and a lower risk of structural valve deterioration over time compared with SAVR," researchers wrote. "This benefit may be particularly relevant for diabetes patients who face higher risks of vascular complications."

FDA announces another recall for surgical devices over safety concerns—7 new injuries reported

Maquet Cardiovascular, a subsidiary of Getinge, is recalling two of its endoscopic vessel harvesting devices due to issues with different pieces bending, peeling or detaching during use. Some of the company's other EVH devices were recently involved in a separate recall for similar reasons.

The Vanderbilt Transplant Center, part of Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC), has set a world record by performing 174 adult and pediatric heart transplants in a single year.

‘A team effort’: VUMC sets world record for heart transplants in a single year

The center's 2024 total of 174 heart transplants represents an increase of 36% compared to 2023, and 10 of the patients receiving a new heart were young children.

Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain

Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to conventional surgery, according to a new analysis of more than 40,000 patients. Robotic treatment also helps patients spend less time in the hospital, but the costs are much higher.

FDA has now cleared more than 1,000 AI models, including many in cardiology

Cardiology is the medical speciality with the second most FDA clearances overall.

doctor patient elderly check up hospital

Surgery outperforms PCI in NSTEMI patients with multivessel CAD

CABG was associated with a 41% lower risk of long-term mortality than PCI in a new study of more than 57,000 patients. The full analysis was published in European Heart Journal.

Semaglutide linked to ‘significant and consistent’ benefits for heart bypass surgery patients

The popular GLP-1 receptor agonist appears to help limit adverse events and new-onset diabetes in patients with a history of CABG. Researchers shared the full study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

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