Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) is a not-for-profit professional organization representing surgeons, researchers and allied healthcare professionals involved in surgeries of the heart, lungs, and esophagus, as well as other surgical procedures within the chest. It is the largest cardiothoracic surgery organization in the world with more than 7,700 members in 110 countries.

New expert guidelines examine the use of temporary MCS during heart surgery
Three leading medical societies collaborated on the new document, providing detailed recommendations that cover a wide variety of technologies and clinical scenarios.
Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields
Cardiac surgeons see significant value in AI's ability to assist clinicians with administrative tasks and patient selection. When it comes to making clinical decisions, however, there is still a certain amount of skepticism.
Hemodynamic deterioration 1 year after TAVR found in 6% of patients
Hemodynamic valve deterioration after one year was more common in patients with a small aortic annulus. In fact, receiving a larger valve was linked to a “protective” quality that appeared to help keep the risk of such complications to a minimum.
Advanced risk score predicts long-term survival after mitral valve surgery
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Risk Calculator is more traditionally used to calculate short-term risks, but this single-center analysis suggests it can also anticipate issues well into the future.
How interventional cardiologists can boost cardiac surgery volumes
Competition was once fierce between interventional cardiologists and cardiac surgeons, but that has changed over the years. "It is absolutely a partnership," one veteran surgeon told Cardiovascular Business.

Robotic mitral repair compares favorably to surgery—but some concerns remain

Robotic-assisted mitral valve repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to conventional surgery, according to a new analysis of more than 40,000 patients. Robotic treatment also helps patients spend less time in the hospital, but the costs are much higher.

SAVR outperforms TAVR in patients with bicuspid aortic valves

BAV patients are often excluded from TAVR trials, creating uncertainty about the best way to treat that population when aortic valve replacement is required. To learn more, researchers tracked CMS data from 2018 to 2022, presenting their findings in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery.

Back in October 2024, heart surgeons with the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute in Morgantown, West Virginia, performed the world’s first robotic aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass (RAVCAB) procedure. Now, the team behind that historic surgery has shared its full story for the first time, publishing an in-depth look at the procedure in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, an official journal from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons.[1]

Heart surgeons detail world’s first robotic heart procedure of its kind

The care team behind the very first robotic aortic valve replacement and coronary artery bypass surgery has written about the experience in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. The group discussed the development of the technique, how the patient was chosen for treatment and other key details.

robotic-assisted mitral valve repair compared to conventional surgery

How robotic-assisted mitral valve repair compares to conventional surgery

Costs remain a concern, especially for low-volume centers, but robotic-assisted MV repair is associated with short-term outcomes comparable to more conventional techniques.

A Da Vinci Xi robot from California-based Intuitive Surgical. Researchers used these robotic surgical systems to help guide AVR in low- and intermediate-risk patients who presented with severe AS.

Robotic aortic valve replacement may offer certain benefits over TAVR

Robotic-assisted aortic valve surgery may be a safe, effective alternative to TAVR when treating low- and intermediate-risk patients. A new analysis in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery explored this topic at length.

A transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedure being performed at Intermountain Healthcare. Image from Intermountain Healthcare

TAVR survival is down in recent years, leaving cardiologists stumped

Researchers tracked recent TAVR data from the STS/ACC TVT Registry, highlighting a "concerning" finding they were unable to explain.

heart doctors and surgeons working together. top cardiology hospitals in the United States.

Cardiothoracic surgeons unite to improve clinical practice guidelines

Four leading cardiothoracic surgery societies have joined forces in the name of developing clinical practice guidelines that are more thorough and consistent.

Medicare data stethoscope healthcare trends graphs finance financials

Cardiology groups cheer new bill that would improve access to Medicare claims data

If passed, this bill would help clinician-led clinical registries explore Medicare data for research purposes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American College of Cardiology both shared public support for the bipartisan legislation.

Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS)

New expert guidelines examine the use of temporary MCS during heart surgery

Heart surgeons see more potential in AI than colleagues from other fields

Hemodynamic deterioration 1 year after TAVR found in 6% of patients

Advanced risk score predicts long-term survival after mitral valve surgery

How interventional cardiologists can boost cardiac surgery volumes