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.

New hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines highlight importance of exercise, new drug class
HCM is widely underdiagnosed, but the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association hope their new guidelines can help cardiologists learn more about the potentially fatal condition and improve patient care.
FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls
The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.
Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?
Researchers tracked data from more than 400,000 patients for a new meta-analysis, presenting their findings in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock
TAVR is also associated with a lower risk of acute kidney injury in this patient population. In-hospital mortality rates, however, are similar between the two treatment options.
Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER
A 62-year-old women presented with severe MR and recurrent heart failure episodes. Initial data suggest the procedure was a success.

Researchers are using an intra-atrial shunt to lower pressures between the upper chambers of the heart to relieve symptoms in HFpEF heart failure patients. The novel Noya device uses an RF ablation to cut a hole into the septum and then enlarge it using a stent that can then be removed from the body after the procedure.

Researchers share first human data on new interventional shunt procedure for HFpEF

The first-in-man study, completed by a team of cardiologists in China, included 10 patients presenting with HFpEF.

April 7, 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.

PCI vs. CABG for left main disease: Key takeaways from a new meta-analysis

Researchers explored data from five different randomized controlled trials, publishing their analysis in the American Journal of Cardiology.

April 5, 2022

Congress investigating FDA over heart device recall, says agency ‘failed to protect consumers’

“I am concerned by the FDA’s slow action, over multiple administrations, to protect patients from this product despite early warning signs,” one U.S. representative said in an open letter.

March 31, 2022

Examples of prosthetic heart valve thrombus formation on the valve leaflets. A new study shows better outcomes using tPA vs. surgery to remove the clots. Valve thrombosis. Images from Mayo Clinic

Thrombolysis vs. surgery for prosthetic valve thrombosis

The three-month mortality rate was 2.4% after thrombolysis and 18.7% after surgery.

March 22, 2022

Bariatric surgery associated with lower risk of death and cardiovascular disease

Researchers examined data from 39 different studies, focusing on mortality rates and adverse cardiovascular outcomes.

March 18, 2022

A CT image from the Heart Institute in Kyiv, Ukraine, showing a Russian bullet in a civilian patient's upper lung lobe. The patient was being treated at the cardiology hospital after he tried to drive his family out of the area of the front lines and was shot at by Russian soldiers. He is being treated by cardiac surgeon Igor Mokryk MD. Photo by Igor Mokryk.

Heart hospital in Ukraine treating wounded civilians

Cardiothoracic surgeon Igor Mokryk, MD, spent last week taking his family to the Polish border. This week, he treated his first gunshot wound patient at the Heart Institute in Kyiv.

March 16, 2022

Oleksandr Yachnik, congenital heart surgeon at the Scientific Practical Children's Cardiac Center in Kyiv, Ukraine, performs a congential heart procedure while the Russians and the front lines are less than 10 miles away. #StandwithUkraine #Ukraine #RussianWarWithUkraine

War in Ukraine has not stopped congenital heart surgeries in Kyiv

"We are staying strong," one surgeon told Cardiovascular Business.

March 16, 2022

One-year-old Easton and his mom Kaitlyn. Easton was the first patient to undergo a combination heart transplant and allogeneic processed thymus tissue implantation in an effort to eliminate the need for long-term, immune-suppression, anti-rejection medications. Image courtesy of Duke University.

Young patient recovering after world’s first combination heart transplant and thymus procedure

“This has the potential to change the face of solid organ transplantation in the future,” one surgeon said.

March 10, 2022

Cardiac Surgery

New hypertrophic cardiomyopathy guidelines highlight importance of exercise, new drug class

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

Moderate aortic stenosis linked to heightened risk of death—should TAVR, surgery be considered?

TAVR linked to lower stroke risk than SAVR in patients with AS and cardiogenic shock

Cardiologists and surgeons perform world’s first robot-assisted TEER