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.

Transcaval access a safe, effective alternative during Impella implants
In some cases, researchers noted, cardiologists may need to rely on transcaval access during the treatment of a high-risk heart failure patient.
To eat or not to eat: Is fasting still necessary before heart procedures?
As one may expect, patient satisfaction was considerably higher for individuals who did not have to fast for a minimum of six hours prior to treatment. There were no other significant differences.
Stem cell patch shows potential to heal heart patients—no surgery or transplant required
The new patch is implanted through a tiny incision and held in place with a biocompatible adhesive. It then helps the heart recover over time, replacing dead tissue that would typically never be able to regenerate.
Medtech startup co-founded by cardiologist seeks FDA clearance for new-look perfusion device
Tulyp Medical, a French medtech startup, has emerged from stealth focused on securing FDA clearance for a patented perfusion device.
Private equity-backed Medline files for IPO
The company, founded in 1966, has been providing supplies to cardiac surgery suites and cath labs for decades.

Heart surgeons with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute have made a bit of history, performing the world’s first combined robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) procedure—all through one small incision. Patients requiring these procedures typically undergo open-heart surgery.

Heart surgeons perform world’s first combined robotic AVR and CABG

The entire robotic procedure was performed through one small incision. Surgeons originally recommended the 73-year-old patient undergo open-heart surgery, but she requested a less invasive alternative.

Gilbert H. Tang, MD, professor in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Icahn School of Medicine and surgical director of the Structural Heart Program at the Mount Sinai Health System, explains how to overcome the limited imaging windows of the tricupid valve using a TEE and intracardiac echo (ICE) at TCT 2024.

How to overcome imaging challenges during tricuspid valve procedures

Gilbert Tang, MD, surgical director of the structural heart program at the Mount Sinai Health System, discussed a key challenge care teams often encounter during tricuspid valve procedures.

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Emory University Hospital have implanted the BrioVAD System, a new type of ventricular assist device (VAD) from BrioHealth Solutions, for the very first time in the United States.

Surgeons make history with first US implant of new magnetically suspended heart pump

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Emory University Hospital implanted the BrioVADSystem, a new type of ventricular assist device from BrioHealth Solutions, for the very first time in the United States. The advanced technology, designed to minimize adverse events and improve quality of life, has been under development since 2008.

Compensation for U.S. cardiologists is up across the board, according to a recent survey published by MedAxiom, an American College of Cardiology company. The report identified similar trends for cardiovascular surgeons, highlighting the country’s high demand for all heart specialists in 2024 and beyond.

Q&A: MedAxiom CEO explores key trends in cardiologist, cardiovascular surgeon compensation

Compensation for heart specialists continues to climb. What does this say about cardiology as a whole? Could private equity's rising influence bring about change? We spoke to MedAxiom CEO Jerry Blackwell, MD, MBA, a veteran cardiologist himself, to learn more.

SAVR linked to higher 10-year survival rate than TAVR for low-risk patients

TAVR patients in this study were treated with early-generation devices that have since been updated, but researchers still believe their data are relevant to today's care teams.

Edoxaban could limit blood clots, ‘make life easier’ for heart valve surgery patients

The popular DOAC was linked to more bleeding events than warfarin, but fewer reports of intracardiac thrombi and other adverse outcomes. Researchers presented their findings at the AHA's Scientific Sessions 2024 conference in Chicago.

Surgical devices recalled after 17 serious injuries—FDA warns of possible shortage

Vessel harvesting devices from Getinge have been recalled due to pieces breaking off during medical procedures. In some cases, surgeons were unable to retrieve the broken pieces.

robotic-assisted mitral valve repair compared to conventional surgery

How robotic-assisted mitral valve repair compares to conventional surgery

Costs remain a concern, especially for low-volume centers, but robotic-assisted MV repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to more conventional techniques.

Cardiac Surgery

Transcaval access a safe, effective alternative during Impella implants

To eat or not to eat: Is fasting still necessary before heart procedures?

Stem cell patch shows potential to heal heart patients—no surgery or transplant required

Medtech startup co-founded by cardiologist seeks FDA clearance for new-look perfusion device

Private equity-backed Medline files for IPO