CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Isaac George, CTSNet Board Member and Co-Director of the Structural Heart and Valve Center, Surgical Director of Structural Heart Disease, and Co-Director of the Mitral and Tricuspid Center at Columbia University Medical Center/NewYork-Presbyterian, NY, USA, about the lifetime management of aortic valve disease.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:11 AATS-CTSN Randomized Trials

04:37 JANS 1, Consensus Statement ALAD

10:28 JANS 2, Lung Re-Transplantation Outcomes

12:19 JANS 3, Aortic Homografts, EURECAH

15:15 JANS 4, Lobectomy Cost Analysis

18:10 Video 1, Anomalous L Coronary Artery

19:38 Video 2, Pulm Valve Replacement Reop

21:38 Video 3, Giant Pulm Artery Aneurysm

23:28 Dr. George Discussion

33:18 Upcoming Events

34:05 Closing

They explored the expansion of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR), emphasizing the crucial role of the heart valve team in this process. The discussion highlighted the necessity for surgeons to be actively involved in the decision-making process surrounding TAVR, particularly in the early stages. They also addressed the importance of lifetime management of the valve, selecting the appropriate valve, and valve durability. Additionally, they discussed the significance of providing patients with multiple surgical options, the Ross procedure, mechanical valves, and explored which procedures patients are choosing.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the ISHLT consensus statement on acute lung allograft dysfunction, aortic homografts for native and prosthetic aortic valve and root endocarditis, how outcomes after lung re-transplantation for restrictive allograft syndrome have not improved over two decades, and the financial burden of postoperative adverse events following lobectomy.

In addition, Joel explores the surgical repair of an anomalous left coronary artery from the right pulmonary artery, minimally invasive pulmonary valve replacement in reoperative settings, and surgical management of giant pulmonary artery aneurysm using a T-shaped graft-valve strategy.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

ISHLT Consensus Statement on Acute Lung Allograft Dysfunction (ALAD): Definition, Etiology, Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approaches, and Research Priorities

Aortic Homografts for Native and Prosthetic Aortic Valve and Root Endocarditis: Results From the EUropean REgistry of Cryopreserved Aortic Homografts EURECAH

Outcomes After Lung Re-Transplantation for Restrictive Allograft Syndrome Have Not Improved Over Two Decades

Financial Burden of Postoperative Adverse Events Following Lobectomy: Cost Analysis From 10 High-Volume Canadian Hospitals

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Surgical Repair of an Anomalous Left Coronary Artery From the Right Pulmonary Artery

Minimally Invasive Pulmonary Valve Replacement in Reoperative Settings

Surgical Management of Giant Pulmonary Artery Aneurysm Using a T-Shaped Graft-Valve Strategy

Other Items Mentioned

CTSNet Innovation Video Competition

Career Center

CTSNet Events

 

Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.

In this episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Husam Balkhy, Professor of Surgery and Director of Robotic and Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery at the University of Chicago, IL, USA, about multi-spectrum robotic cardiac surgery.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:04 Why CT Surgery? 

04:08 History 

08:09 Benefits 

10:00 Challenges 

13:56 Multispectrum Robotic Surgery 

16:15 Patient Selection 

24:33 Work Up, Port Placement 

29:47 Valve Surgery 

31:11 Coronary Surgery 

32:38 Other Surgery 

37:15 Complications 

39:13 Training, Simulations 

45:07 Future of Robotics 

49:00 Key Takeaways 

49:34 Surgery Training Advice 

The discussion focuses on the history of robotics in cardiac surgery, emphasizing the benefits and challenges associated with robotic surgery. It explores the concept of multi-spectrum robotic cardiac surgery and provides an overview of robotic surgery as it currently stands, including the types of valves involved and the various approaches utilized. The conversation also highlights specific techniques in robotic surgery, such as totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB). Additionally, it addresses potential complications, including peripheral cannulation injuries and phrenic nerve injury. Furthermore, they discussed training in robotics and the future of robotics.

The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Keep an eye out for next month’s episode. Related Resources

Multi-Spectrum Robotic Cardiac Surgery: Early Outcomes

 

Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Joseph Coselli, Executive Vice-Chair of the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery, the Cullen Foundation Endowed Chair, and a Professor in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA, about thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

02:21 JANS 1, Ethical Leadership in CTS  

07:36 JANS 2, Dual Antiplatelet RCT  

10:27 JANS 3, Robotic MV Program  

12:00 JANS 4, Time of Day Outcomes  

15:34 Video 1, MI AV Replacement via RAM  

17:04 Video 2, LA & Pulm Cuff Dissection  

18:34 Video 3, LVOTE Master Class  

21:09 Dr. Coselli Discussion  

29:35 Upcoming Events  

29:59 CTSNet Profiles Update 

They discussed the increasing use of endovascular techniques and the declining prevalence of open surgery. Additionally, they emphasized the necessity of maintaining open surgery skills for certain cases and provided specific examples where these skills are essential. The conversation also covered the best spinal protection treatment, preconditioning the spinal cord, and hybrid approaches that combine open and endovascular techniques. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of surgeons being involved in patient follow-up. Dr. Coselli also shared insights on future approaches and recommendations for individuals considering which subspecialty to pursue in cardiothoracic surgery.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on ethical leadership in cardiothoracic surgery in an era of consolidation, efficacy of dual antiplatelet therapy for three months vs 12 months after coronary artery bypass grafting, outcomes following the first 100 cases of a new robotic mitral valve program, and time of day of cardiac surgery and postoperative outcomes in the UK.

In addition, Joel explores minimally invasive aortic valve replacement via right anterior minithoracotomy, left atrial and pulmonary cuff dissection after heart and lung en-bloc procurement, and a master class with Drs. Sameh Said and Vince Gaudiani on the Konno procedure and left ventricular outflow tract enlargement.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Ethical Leadership in Cardiothoracic Surgery in an Era of Consolidation: A Framework for Trust, Transparency, and Workforce Stability

Efficacy of Dual Antiplatelet Therapy for Three Months Versus 12 months After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: Multicentre, Double Blinded, Randomised Controlled Trial

Outcomes Following the First 100 Cases of a New Robotic Mitral Valve Program

Time of Day of Cardiac Surgery and Postoperative Outcomes in the UK: A Secondary Analysis of Linked National Datasets

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy

Left Atrial and Pulmonary Cuff Dissection After Heart and Lung En-Bloc Procurement

Master Class: The Konno Procedure and LVOT Enlargement With Sameh Said and Vince Gaudiani

Other Items Mentioned

Career Center

CTSNet Events

 

Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.

In this episode of The Cardiac Recovery Room, moderator Dr. Rawn Salenger, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, engages in a conversation with Dr. Shuba Chatterjee, Associate Professor of Surgery and Director of Thoracic Surgical ICU and ECMO Program at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, TX, USA, and nurse practitioner Amanda Rea, Lead of Advanced Practice and Clinical Program Manager in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Townson, MD, USA. Their conversation focused on hemodynamics and atrial fibrillation.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:17 Vasoplegia/Vasodilatory Shock 

06:13 Vasopressors, Cost Considerations 

07:32 Vasoplegia Misconceptions 

08:41 Defining Vasoplegia 

10:54 Blood Pressure Target Variable 

12:54 Inotropes 

17:03 Approach to Atrial Fibrillation 

19:08 Patient Monitoring 

19:27 Surgical/Concomitant Ablation 

23:13 Postop AFib, Preventive Strategies 

28:37 Example Scenario, High Heart Rate 

29:56 Out of AFib Into Sinus Rhythm 

33:01 Anticoagulation 

39:43 Key Points 

Key topics include vasoplegia, vasodilatory shock, and the use of vassopressors, including norepinephrine. They address common misconceptions surrounding vasoplegia shock, the role of epinephrine, and the use of methylene blue. Their conversation further delves into approaches for atrial fibrillation, concomitant surgical ablation, and postoperative atrial fibrillation. They highlight the best preventative strategies for atrial fibrillation and the use of beta blockers for atrial fibrillation. Finally, they discuss current guidelines and the role of anticoagulation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

The Cardiac Recovery Room is the place to hear the conversations colleagues are having after the meetings. Each month, a new episode will be released featuring a leadership panel from the ERAS Cardiac Society.

 

Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Nikki Stamp, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Mount Private Hospital in Perth, Western Australia, who also serves as an Adjunct Clinical Senior Lecturer at Curtin University, Australia, about shifting healthcare policy in surgery.  

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:45 ESTS 2026 

02:01 Presidential Address 

02:52 Keynote, Emerging Surgical Technologies 

05:21 Segmentectomy vs Lobectomy 

10:18 Other Key Presentations 

11:34 JANS 1, Propensity Score Analysis 

12:30 JANS 2, FILONEX Hemodiafiltration 

13:21 JANS 3, Transplant Surgery at Night 

14:29 Video 1, Aortic Dissection Presentations 

15:36 Video 2, Endoscopic AV & AA Replacement 

16:45 Video 3, Tetralogy Repair in an Infant 

18:12 Dr. Stamp, Health Media & Policy 

33:46 Career Center 

34:03 Closing 

They begin by discussing Dr. Stamp’s professional background, including her experiences working with the media and the lessons she learned from it. They also explore the positive effects of social media for surgeons, such as networking and learning from peers. Additionally, they identify areas for improvement in aortic surgery and transplants. Dr. Stamp then shares her vision for the future of cardiothoracic surgery, emphasizing the need to reduce fragmentation of care and encourage professionals to focus their efforts on their specific specialties.  

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a propensity score matching analysis on the risk of sternal wound infection in bilateral skeletonized internal thoracic artery in coronary artery bypass grafting, a prospective, randomized controlled pilot safety study evaluating the addition of hemodiafiltration to EVLP in marginal donor lungs, mechanical load inhibits cancer growth in mouse and human hearts, and outcomes of lung transplantation surgery performed at night 

In addition, Joel explores totally endoscopic aortic valve and ascending aorta replacement, tetralogy repair in an infant, and a presentation from the 2026 Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting on aortic dissection. 

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

Risk of Sternal Wound Infection in Bilateral Skeletonized Internal Thoracic Artery in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: A Propensity Score Matching Analysis

FILONEX—A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Pilot Safety Study Evaluating the Addition of Hemodiafiltration to EVLP in Marginal Donor Lungs

Mechanical Load Inhibits Cancer Growth in Mouse and Human Hearts

Outcomes of Lung Transplantation Surgery Performed at Night

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

SCTS 2026 | Aortic Dissection  

Totally Endoscopic Aortic Valve and Ascending Aorta Replacement  

Tetralogy Repair in an Infant  

Other Items Mentioned 

Career Center 

CTSNet Events

 

Disclaimer The information and views presented on CTSNet.org represent the views of the authors and contributors of the material and not of CTSNet. Please review our full disclaimer page here.