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. 

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.

SAVR associated with ‘excellent’ long-term survival rates, new research confirms

Even as TAVR continues to build momentum as the go-to treatment option for many patients, researchers are keeping a close eye on the long-term safety and effectiveness of SAVR.

October 18, 2023
The Pioneer TAVR system from KOKA Lifesciences

New TAVR system for pure aortic regurgitation used for first time, linked to ‘excellent’ short-term outcomes

Researchers explored data from the first 10 patients treated with a new self-expanding TAVR device from KOKA Lifesciences. After 30 days, there were no patient deaths and only one adverse event.

October 10, 2023
Surgeons with University of Maryland Medical Center transplant a pig heart into a human patient for only the second time ever on Sept. 20 2023. Bartley P. Griffith, MD, a professor of surgery and clinical director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM), and Muhammad M. Mohiuddin, MD, scientific director of the cardiac xenotransplantation program at UMSOM, performed the historic procedure. #pigheart

Surgeons make history again, transplant pig heart into human patient for second time ever

That same team that transplanted a pig heart into a human patient for the very first time in 2022 has now done it again. The patient is currently recovering from the procedure, which occurred on Sept. 20. 

September 25, 2023
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

The 50 best hospitals in the world for cardiac surgery

The new ranking, based on extensive survey data gathered by Newsweek, includes a total of 150 hospitals. Seven of the top 10 are located in the United States. 

September 21, 2023
Tiny fragments of plastic are commonly found deep inside the human body. Heart surgery, it seems, is one of many ways these microplastics are reaching their destination.  Surgeons Operating On Patient

Microplastics identified in heart tissue samples—are surgeries to blame?

Tiny fragments of plastic are commonly found deep inside the human body. Heart surgery, it seems, is one of many ways these microplastics are reaching their destination. 

August 11, 2023
Product Recall

FDA announces fourth recall of 2023 for troubled heart devices

This latest recall was brought on by electrical failures and includes more than 4,500 devices. There have been 26 complaints due to the issue but no reported injuries or deaths. 

August 10, 2023
Video of Hari Naidu, MD, director of the Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Center of Excellence at Westchester Medical Center, explaining the role of alcohol septal ablation and surgical myectomy in the era of mavacamten. #HCM #ASE

Surgery, interventional therapies still the best choice for many HCM patients

"You have to look at each patient and understand their goals," one HCM expert said in a new interview. 

August 9, 2023
Photo of a surgical cardiac septal myectomy to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Nicholas Smedira MD discusses septal myectomy in HCM patients and the need for more detailed protocols for HCM care. #HCM #ASE #ASE2023 #myectomy

A surgeon's perspective on treating hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Nicholas Smedira, MD, a cardiovascular surgeon with Cleveland Clinic, discusses septal myectomy and the need to improve overall HCM care with new standards and evidence-based guidelines.

August 9, 2023