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.

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. 

"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."

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.