The American Association for Thoracic Surgery published an Expert Consensus Document recommending use of mechanical circulatory support before, during, and after lung transplantation. The guidelines include recommendations for veno-venous ECMO and central veno-arterial ECMO.
A new study found that leaving an atrial communication at biventricular repair of unbalanced AVSD is associated with reduced long-term survival. The study included 581 patients and showed a significant difference in five-year survival rates between those with and without atrial fenestration.
A new study has successfully performed heart transplants using donation after cardiac death with normothermic regional perfusion, increasing cardiac allograft availability by 20-30%. The procedure allows for immediate reperfusion and assessment of the heart prior to transplantation, improving outcomes for patients.
Patients with segmental CTEPH treated surgically achieved excellent outcomes, with 80% long-term survival and good quality of life. Multidisciplinary post-operative care is crucial for optimal results.
The AATS Foundation fellowships have been shown to support career success in academic surgery, with recipients publishing peer-reviewed papers and securing NIH grants. A total of 42 individuals received the scholarship, resulting in impressive scholastic contributions and ascending to leadership positions.
A new study found that patients with severe mitral regurgitation who undergo transcatheter edge-to-edge mitral repair (TEER) may need surgical intervention if treatment fails. Up to 95% of these patients cannot have their valves repaired and require mitral valve replacement.
A new study reveals that up to 24 percent of esophagectomy patients can develop Venous Thromboembolism (VTE), leading to significant morbidity and mortality. The six-month mortality rate for patients with VTE was found to be 17.6 percent, compared to 2.1 percent for those without.
A new, low-profile thoracic aortic endograft device has demonstrated safety and effectiveness in treating descending thoracic aorta aneurysms and PAU diseases. The RELAYPro endovascular device achieved 89.2% one-year treatment success rate with a reduced risk of complications.
A new study finds that non-invasive cell-free DNA tests can detect early rejection in heart transplant patients with high sensitivity and specificity. The assay is clinically viable, reducing the need for routine surveillance biopsies.
A new study presented at the AATS 101st Annual Meeting found that severely ill COVID-19 patients treated with ECMO did not suffer worse long-term physical, psychological, and cognitive deficits than other mechanically-ventilated patients. The multidisciplinary team followed patients for up to five years after hospital discharge.
A study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting found that modifying the ERATS protocol significantly reduced in-hospital and post-discharge opioid consumption, particularly Schedule II opioids. The optimized protocol included replacing saline with 0.25% bupivacaine and switching tramadol to as-needed scheduling.
The Integrated Cardiothoracic (CT I-6) residency continues to be the most difficult to match among competitive surgical subspecialties. The number of female applicants has risen from 16% in 2015 to 28% in 2020, while diversity among I-6 program applicants has increased across all racial and ethnic categories. Greatest predictors of a s...
A new set of guidelines developed by AATS and ESTS recommends a 30-day course of Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis post-discharge for patients undergoing surgical resection for lung or esophagus cancer. The guideline panel endorsed by American Society of Hematology and International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis found th...
The 101st AATS Annual Meeting focuses on Diversity without Exclusion in a Culture of Safety, with keynote speakers including Condoleezza Rice and William G. Kaelin, Jr. AATS members will discuss advances in cardiothoracic surgery and related specialties.
A clinical trial found that transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is equivalent or potentially preferable to surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) for low-risk surgical patients. TAVR showed strong post-procedure benefits, including reduced re-hospitalizations and improved quality of life metrics at 30 days.
The PARTNER 3 Low-Risk TAVR Trial found that TAVR significantly reduces the incidence of adverse events and re-hospitalizations compared to SAVR in low-risk surgical patients. After one year, these benefits were maintained, with improved ICU and hospital stay lengths.
A new nomogram developed by researchers can accurately predict the likelihood of occult lymph node metastases in esophageal cancer. This tool may help clinicians identify high-risk patients who would benefit from neoadjuvant therapy, leading to more informed treatment discussions and potentially improved patient outcomes.
A new study demonstrates the safety of a potential treatment for ischemia-reperfusion injury in human lung transplant patients, showing no dose-limiting toxicities or 30-day mortality. The treatment, Regadenoson, has the potential to improve survival rates and quality of life for lung transplant recipients.
A multi-site international trial has shown promise in reducing the incidence of thoracotomy conversion for VATS/robotic anatomical lung resection. The use of an ultrasonic vessel-sealing device resulted in fewer bleeding complications and a faster recovery time, with no postoperative bleeding from divided PA branches.
A study presented at the AATS 98th Annual Meeting found that patients used far fewer opioids than were prescribed after open and laparoscopic hiatal hernia repair. The study identified several factors contributing to over-prescribing, including inadequate patient education and improper use of adjunct pain medications.
A new study presented at the AATS Annual Meeting shows that patients with malignant lymph nodes following preoperative therapy were less likely to survive than those with no cancer. The study found a strong association between pathologic nodal response and improved survival, highlighting the need for optimized neoadjuvant strategies.
Mandatory public reporting in Massachusetts leads to better patient outcomes due to salutary effects and stricter quality control. However, the role of risk aversion remains inconclusive.
A new study presents the world's first series of robot-assisted tracheobronchoplasty, a minimally invasive procedure that expands treatment options for patients with tracheobronchomalacia. The results show significant improvement in pulmonary function tests and patient satisfaction, with low morbidity and mortality rates.
Early intervention after completed clinical staging leads to increased survival rates in non-small cell lung cancer patients. Surgery within eight weeks from diagnosis significantly improves overall survival.
A decade-long surgical outreach program has improved screening and diagnosis, reducing RHD-related deaths by 10% in Rwanda. The program also established a sustainable cardiothoracic care center, training local personnel to improve cardiovascular disease management.
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery has released guidelines for identifying and treating anomalous aortic origin of a coronary artery (AAOCA) in young athletes. AAOCA can increase the risk of sudden cardiac death due to ischemia and arrhythmias, especially during intense exercise.
Empyema is a potentially deadly accumulation of pus around the lungs, with a high mortality rate. New AATS guidelines provide evidence-based clinical recommendations for diagnosis, treatment, and management of empyema in adults and children.
The American Association for Thoracic Surgery has released a new consensus statement on surgical ablation for atrial fibrillation, emphasizing its safety and effectiveness in reducing early death and late stroke risk. The guidelines also recommend hybrid procedures, optimal ablation tools, and standardized training.
The updated AATS guidelines offer guidance on managing ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR), a condition associated with increased long-term mortality. For patients with severe IMR, replacement or repair of the mitral valve is considered based on specific criteria.
A study presented at the 96th AATS Annual Meeting found that VA hospitals have increased their use of mitral valve repair over replacement, with significant advantages in terms of mortality rates and complications. The rate of valve repair varied widely among centers, presenting an opportunity for quality improvement.
A team of surgeons from the Bakoulev Center for Cardiovascular Surgery successfully implanted bioabsorbable vascular grafts into five children born with single-ventricle congenital malformations. The grafts are designed to biodegrade, allowing the patient's own cells and proteins to reconstitute natural functioning tissue.
A novel technique called external stenting (ES) has been developed to relieve airway obstruction in children. The procedure involves suspending the airway wall to a rigid prosthesis, allowing for growth and stability. Long-term outcomes show high survival rates and successful weaning from ventilators.
Researchers warn of a looming crisis in cardiothoracic surgical services as the number of trained professionals dwindles and demand increases, particularly among an aging population. By 2030, there will be approximately 3,000 cardiothoracic surgeons needed to cover 854,000 cases, with each surgeon's workload projected to increase by 121%.
Researchers from Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center share results of experience with over 500 patients with pulmonary metastases from STS, identifying prognostic factors associated with improved survival. The study found that leiomyosarcoma histologic subtype, primary tumor size, and minimally invasive resections were significantly...
Analysis of NCDB data shows that patients who received four quality measures had significantly higher overall median survival, increasing more than three-fold. However, compliance with these measures varies widely among patients, with only 13% receiving all four interventions.
The EDWARDS INTUITY valve system has been shown to reduce the duration of interrupted blood flow and heart stoppage during surgery, resulting in improved cardiac function. Patients who underwent rapid deployment aortic valve replacement had high one-year survival rates and clinically acceptable postoperative complication rates.
A new long-acting cardioplegia solution has been shown to reduce cardiopulmonary bypass times and aortic cross-clamp durations, leading to faster recovery times and shorter ICU stays. The study found improved postoperative cardiac function and reduced morbidity in pediatric patients undergoing heart surgery.
A study of over 1,100 patients who underwent mitral valve repair found that older age and preoperative atrial fibrillation significantly increased the risk of developing tricuspid regurgitation. The risk was further exacerbated by impaired heart function, with patients experiencing devastating effects from severe TR.
A study at Mayo Clinic found that 19% of patients undergoing esophagectomy were readmitted to the hospital, with respiratory and gastrointestinal complications being the most common reasons. Longer operations, ICU admission, and perioperative blood transfusion were identified as risk factors for unplanned readmissions.
A new implantable VAD designed specifically for small children has shown encouraging results in a study using living sheep. The device, called the Infant Jarvik 2015, offers improved hemolysis profile and increased flow rate compared to its predecessor, paving the way for potential clinical trials.
A study of over 55,000 CABG patients found diabetics had more postoperative complications and decreased long-term survival. The proportion of diabetic patients undergoing CABG increased 5-fold between 1970-2010, driven by higher costs and clinical risks.
Researchers found that patients with acute cardiogenic shock who received extracorporeal life support had better cardiac recovery rates compared to those with chronic conditions. The study showed a 59% survival rate for patients in the acute group, while only 14% survived in the chronic group.
Seizures in neonates after cardiac surgery are common and linked to higher mortality rates, according to a new study. The study found that seizures were not uncommon and would not have been detected without continuous EEG monitoring.
Researchers analyzed 43 patients with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) who underwent either an arterial or venous shunt as part of the hybrid palliation procedure. The study found that the arterial shunt group showed better pulmonary arterial growth, shorter surgical times, and higher oxygen saturations at discharge. However, no ...
A study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that delaying surgery for severe mitral regurgitation until symptoms appear doubles the risk of postoperative mortality and heart failure. Early surgery, on the other hand, provides the best long-term outcomes, with lower mortality and congestive heart failur...
A new study reports that a targeted molecular contrast agent can be used to cause lung adenocarcinomas to fluoresce during pulmonary surgery, enabling real-time optical imaging and precise visualization of tumor margins. The technique showed promise in localizing tumors and detecting metastatic cancer cells with high accuracy.
A new study found that use of a ring-reinforced shunt improved surgical outcomes in children born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, reducing the need for repeat surgeries and improving survival rates. The study showed significant progress in a small but noteworthy advance.
A recent study published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery found that statin therapy may reduce major complications after lung surgery. The study showed a significant reduction in postoperative complications, including pneumonia and deep vein thrombosis, but not in atrial fibrillation rates or inflammatory markers.
A meta-analysis of 14 medium- to high-quality studies found that gentamicin-collagen sponges significantly reduced the incidence of sternal wound infections by 38% compared to controls. The use of sponges also reduced the risk of life-threatening inflammation of mid-chest tissues (mediastinitis).
Patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who survive 5 years after surgery are at risk for recurrence, new primary cancers, and chronic pulmonary disease. Continued surveillance is necessary to mitigate these risks, particularly for patients with nodal metastases.