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.

The top 25 U.S. hospitals for cardiology and heart surgery

The annual rankings from U.S. News are here, with some familiar names making the top of the list. Did your facility make the cut?

Pioneer heart surgeon and philanthropist Allan Lansing dies at 92

Allan Lansing, MD, PhD, performed the first coronary artery bypass in the state of Kentucky. He also volunteered to help patients all over the world and was publicly honored by President George H. W. Bush in 1991.

Programmable RNA-DNA anticoagulant fibers may provide a better balance between blood clots and bleeding risks

“We can learn from nature, but we have built something that has never been introduced before,” one researcher said.

Cardiothoracic surgeons perform UCSF's first robotic mitral valve surgery. A 3D camera allows surgeons to see the mitral valve and other structures inside the heart. Surgeons use a robotic surgical system to guide the robotic arms and movements of the surgical instruments.

Surgeons praise mobility, precision of robotically assisted mitral valve procedure

“Robotically assisted mitral valve surgery allows us to make even smaller incisions with greater precision,” one surgeon said. “By using the robotic arms, we have more degrees of articulation than with our natural wrists."

Surgeons successfully transplant pig hearts into recently deceased humans

Surgeons at NYU Langone Health successfully transplanted two genetically engineered pigs hearts into recently deceased humans in June and July.

focused rotary jet spinning Harvard heart model ventricle biofabrication

New manufacturing technique for artificial hearts a 'major step forward’

Focused rotary jet spinning appears to hold some key advantages over 3D printing and other techniques. Engineers at Harvard think it could represent the future of organ biofabrication.

Patients can safely undergo noncardiac surgeries after TAVR without a long delay

However, the study’s authors did find associations between suboptimal TAVR procedures and adverse outcomes.

VIDEO: The state of TAVR in 2022

Michael Mack, MD, a key pioneer in transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), explains the history of TAVR and where things are headed.

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