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. 

The Minima Stent being demonstrated by Cedars Sinai Hospital. The adjustable stent is designed to grow with children who need cardiac procedures.

Cardiologists explore the real-world potential of new adjustable stents for children

The new-look adjustable stents, not yet fully approved by the FDA, can be expanded as a child ages. The hope is that these stents will never need to be replaced.

December 16, 2022
seaweed water ocean

Seaweed molecules could lead to big improvements for heart surgery patients

“There is a crucial need to develop synthetic vascular graft materials that will increase the rate of long-term functions,” one researcher said. Could materials derived from seaweed help fill that need?

December 5, 2022
Large peridevice leaks after left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) are incredibly rare and not associated with a greater risk of adverse outcomes, according to new research published in JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology.[1] Smaller residual links are more common, however, and associated with a risk of thromboembolic and bleeding events.

Socioeconomic status and mental health make a big impact on AVR outcomes

Nontraditional risk factors such as dementia, PTSD, bipolar disorder and low socioeconomic status are all important to consider when patients are candidates for aortic valve replacement. 

November 30, 2022
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

Radial artery grafts vs. saphenous vein grafts for CABG: Does one outperform the other?

The new study, published in Circulation, represents a collaboration between specialists from a variety of facilities, including Cleveland Clinic and the University of Arizona. 

November 29, 2022
Abiomed’s Impella RP Flex with SmartAssist heart pump has received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of acute right heart failure for up to 14 days.

Surgeons make history, become first in world to implant Abiomed’s new heart pump for right heart failure

Two specialists with Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey performed the procedure. The patient, a 71-year-old woman, is doing well. 

November 22, 2022
Interview with the late-breaking BEST-CLI trial principal investigators Alik Farber from Boston Medical Center, Matthew Menard from Brigham and Women's Hospital, and Ken Rosenfield at Mass General Hospital, at the 2022 American Heart Association (AHA) meeting. The trial looked at endovascular versus bypass surgery in patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) to see which is better. #AHA22

VIDEO: Surgery vs. endovascular intervention for critical limb ischemia in the BEST-CLI trial

Watch our exclusive interview, recorded live at the AHA Scientific Sessions 2022 conference, with three investigators from the BEST-CLI trial. 

November 21, 2022
While a vast majority of heart transplants in the United States are successful, unplanned hospitalizations after the procedures are still incredibly common. Top 10 reasons for readmission after heart transplant.

Bypass surgery the best way to limit amputations, death among CLTI patients

Researchers examined data from more than 1,800 CLTI patients, comparing bypass surgery with minimally invasive treatment options such as angioplasty and stenting.

November 7, 2022
Cardiologist heart

5 key takeaways from new ACC/AHA aortic disease guidelines

The new guidance, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, covers a variety of topics, including thoracic aortic disease, peripheral artery disease, shared decision-making and cardiac imaging.

November 4, 2022