CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with David Waller, Chair of the EACTS Emphysema Taskforce and Director of the EACTS Fundamentals Course in Thoracic Surgery, about the EACTS expert consensus document on lung volume reduction for emphysema.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
02:10 EACTS Technocollege
03:23 Robotic Cardiac Focus
07:34 EACTS Highlights
13:17 Influence of Stenosis on Patency
14:58 Repair vs Replace Degen MR
16:08 Drain Strategy & Outcomes
17:20 Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock
19:11 Bilateral Lung Transplant
20:11 Bicuspid Valve-Sparing ARR
21:08 Neoadjuv Chemoimmunotherapy Podcast
22:04 Post-Intubation Tracheal Injury
22:32 Value of the Heart Team Interview
23:50 Dr. Waller, LVRS Guidelines
35:37 Virtual Career Fair
36:22 Oral Board AI Simulator
36:36 Resident Video Competition

They discussed the task force responsible for developing the document, the potential benefits of the guidelines, and key topics addressed in the document, including patient selection and complications. They also explored the benefits of lung volume reduction for emphysema, screening programs, controversial areas of emphysema, and the importance of team decision-making.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on influence of LAD-diagonal stenosis on long-term patency and ischemic events after CABG, mitral valve repair vs replacement for degenerative mitral regurgitation in patients with poor ejection fraction, contemporary chest drain practice after pulmonary resection, and ten guiding principles for the management of postcardiotomy cardiogenic shock.

In addition, Joel explores a sequential bilateral lung transplant in situs inversus totalis and Kartagener syndrome, bicuspid valve-sparing aortic root replacement, surgical repair of a post-intubation tracheal injury, perspectives from Vincent Gaudiani and Chad Rammohan on the value of the heart team, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Alice Copperwheat speaking with Jessica Donington about neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Influence of LAD-Diagonal Stenosis on Long-Term Patency and Ischemic Events After CABG

MVr vs Replacement for Degenerative MR in Patients With Poor Ejection Fraction

Contemporary Chest Drain Practice After Pulmonary Resection

Ten Guiding Principles for the Management of Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Sequential Bilateral Lung Transplant in Situs Inversus Totalis and Kartagener Syndrome

Bicuspid Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement

The Atrium: Neoadjuvant Chemoimmunotherapy

Surgical Repair of a Post-Intubation Tracheal Injury

The Value of the Heart Team: Perspectives From Vincent Gaudiani and Chad Rammohan

Other Items Mentioned

EACTS Expert Consensus Document on Lung Volume Reduction for Emphysema

Oral Board AI Simulator

2026 Virtual Career Fair

Resident 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 CTSNet podcast, The Lifeline, host and nurse educator Jill Ley, Clinical Professor at the University of California San Francisco School of Nursing, Founder of the Essentials of Cardiac Surgical Resuscitation, and former Cardiac Surgery Clinical Nurse Specialist at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco, California, USA, speaks with Lakhmir Chawla, Assistant Clinical Professor (Voluntary) of Medicine at the University of California San Diego, USA, and Chief Medical Officer of ExThera Medical. Together, they discuss the science behind new therapies for vasoplegia and potential treatment algorithms to rapidly restore vascular tone and hemodynamic stability.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 
00:43 Clinical Challenge & Angiotensin II 
15:41 Issue of Vasoplegia, Patient Example 
22:15 Angiotensin II Protocol 
25:56 Potential Concerns 
27:52 Multi-Mode, Low Dose Approach 
29:50 Patient Population 
32:39 Key Takeaways 

The discussion explores the history of angiotensin II, including how it emerged as a treatment for vasoplegia, the oxygen transport hypothesis, vasopressin dosing, dopamine and renal blood flow, and the benefits of angiotensin II. They also discuss a patient who underwent left ventricular assist device (LVAD) explantation followed by heart transplantation and how they would approach the patient to achieve positive outcomes. Additional topics include angiotensin II protocols, thromboembolic events, and potential studies involving this patient population.

Every month, The Lifeline features intensive care specialists sharing their expert insights into the rapid and effective management of critically ill cardiac surgical patients. Don’t miss next month’s episode!

 

Related Resources

Management Algorithm for Vasoplegic Shock After Cardiac Surgery: An Interdisciplinary Collaboration

 

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 Bart P. van Putte, a cardiothoracic surgeon at the St. Antonius Hospital in Nieuwegein, Netherlands, and the Amsterdam University Medical Center about the excimer laser assisted non-occlusive anastomosis (ELANA) system in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG).

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:48 CMS NCD Webinar
02:20 Oral Board AI Simulator
02:57 Podcast Frequency Update
04:09 CTSNet at EACTS 2026
04:44 Bi vs Single IMA Grafting in CABG
06:40 Radial Artery vs Saph Vein Third Conduit
08:37 Right-Sided Min Inv OPCAB
10:17 Right Basilar Transplant w Carinal Reconstr
12:12 Lymph Node Dissection & Chylothorax Analysis
14:11 Type A AD Causing Hematoma & Compression
16:13 Robotic Extended Sympathectomy
17:27 Ross Procedure Child w Bicuspid AV
19:56 Dr. van Putte, ELANA System CABG
34:45 Career Center

They discussed the purpose of the ELANA system, what it is, and how it works. They also reviewed the system’s critical procedural step and explored its potential application in jump grafts. Additionally, they analyzed the clinical cases in which the system was utilized, including the findings. They also outlined the next steps and evaluated the feasibility of implementing this system at other clinical centers.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on midterm outcomes after bilateral vs single internal mammary artery grafting in minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass, a comparison of radial artery and saphenous vein as the third conduit with bilateral internal mammary arteries in coronary bypass surgery, a case report on right basilar segmental autologous lung transplantation with carinal reconstruction in a patient with central lung squamous cell carcinoma, Type A aortic dissection causing pulmonary artery intramural hematoma and compression, and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons general thoracic surgery database analysis of the association between lymph node dissection and chylothorax.

In addition, Joel explores a robotic extended sympathectomy for severe compensatory hyperhidrosis, right-sided minimally invasive off-pump coronary artery bypass, and the Ross procedure for infective endocarditis with extensive aortic root destruction in a child with a bicuspid aortic valve.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Mid-Term Outcomes After Bilateral Versus Single Internal Mammary Artery Grafting in MIDCAB

Comparison of RA and Saphenous Vein as the Third Conduit With BIMA in Coronary Bypass Surgery

Right Basilar Segmental Autologous Lung Transplantation With Carinal Reconstruction for Central Lung SCC

Type A Aortic Dissection Causing Pulmonary Artery Intramural Hematoma and Compression

An STS General Thoracic Surgery Database Analysis of the Association Between LN Dissection and Chylothorax

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Robotic Extended Sympathectomy for Severe Compensatory Hyperhidrosis

Right-Sided Minimally Invasive Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass

Ross Procedure for Infective Endocarditis With Extensive Aortic Root Destruction in a Child With a Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Other Items Mentioned

The First Prospective Safety and Effectiveness Trial of the Excimer Laser Assisted Nonocclusive Anastomosis System in Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Oral Board AI Simulator

The TAVR Heart Team in 2026: Navigating the CMS Decision | A CTSNet Webinar

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 Alice Copperwheat speaks with Jessica Donington, Professor of Surgery and Chief of the Section of Thoracic Surgery at the University of Chicago, Illinois, USA, about neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:20 Why CT Surgery?
04:16 History
06:55 Patient Perception
08:42 Function, Why?
12:40 Patient Selection, Who?
18:20 Resectability
25:31 Types of Neoadj Therapy, What?
30:06 Evidence
33:01 Surgeon Responsibility
39:02 Robotics
39:54 Post Op Considerations
41:29 Key Points
43:12 Surgical Training Advice

The discussion emphasizes the importance of being upfront and honest during patient conversations. It explores the benefits of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, how patients are selected for these treatments, and the various clinical trials on this topic. The conversation also addresses the chemo-radiation route and the clinical assessment of resectability. They also examine how to determine if a tumor is resectable and what factors are assessed during this process. It also highlights the need to consider whether a planned lobectomy might necessitate a pneumonectomy following neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy. The conversation also covers chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and targeted therapy, outlining what trainees should remember about each. Finally, they address the complexities of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, key takeaways for trainees, and the importance of working closely with the entire multidisciplinary team throughout the process.

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.  

 

Disclosure

Dr. Donington serves as an advisor, consultant, and speaker for AstraZeneca, BMS, Genentech/Roche, and Merck. Additionally, she acts as a consultant for Biodesix and an advisor for Lilly.  

 

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 Traves Crabtree, Professor and Chair of the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Medical Director of the Surgical Skills Laboratory at the Memorial Learning Center at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, USA, about the Oral Board AI Simulator (OBAS) and the benefits it offers for board preparation.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
02:01 CMS NCD on TAVR Heart Team
06:15 JANS 1, Ross Procedure Determinants
08:20 JANS 2, Supra-Annular Perceval Bentall
10:44 JANS 3, Simplified MV Edge-to-Edge
12:35 JANS 4, CT Findings Addition Donors
14:19 JANS 5, Auto Robotic Phlebotomy Device
16:32 Video 1, MVR After MitraClip
18:53 Video 2, VATS Resection 10-cm Mediast Mass
20:04 Video 3, Modified Trapdoor Technique ALCAPA
21:36 Dr. Crabtree, Oral Board AI Simulator
32:28 Upcoming Events

They discussed the origin of the OBAS, its progress on CTSNet, and the feedback received thus far. The conversation also covered the current number of scenarios within OBAS, the importance of user feedback for the program’s expansion, and the future development of the simulator, which includes the integration of imaging and positive feedback mechanisms for participants.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on determinants of long-term durability for the Ross procedure, supra-annular perceval Bentall, real-world outcomes after simplified mitral valve transcatheter edge-to-edge repair under sole transesophageal echocardiographic guidance, if the addition of computed tomography findings maintains the predictive performance of an existing radiograph-based donor lung acceptability score, and a multicenter trial on the performance, safety, and patient experience of an autonomous robotic phlebotomy device.

In addition, Joel explores mitral valve repair after MitraClip, VATS resection of a 10-centimeter mediastinal mass with subxiphoid removal, and the modified trapdoor technique for direct reimplantation of ALCAPA.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

The Ross Procedure: Determinants of Long-Term Durability

Supra-Annular Perceval Bentall: From Concept to Patient

Real-World Outcomes After Simplified Mitral Valve Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Repair Under Sole Transesophageal Echocardiographic Guidance

The Addition of Computed Tomography (CT) Findings Maintains the Predictive Performance of an Existing Radiograph-Based Donor Lung Acceptability Score

Performance, Safety, and Patient Experience of an Autonomous Robotic Phlebotomy Device: A Multicenter Trial

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Mitral Valve Repair After MitraClip

VATS Resection of a 10-Centimeter Mediastinal Mass With Subxiphoid Removal

Modified Trapdoor Technique for Direct Reimplantation of ALCAPA

Other Items Mentioned

Oral Board AI Simulator

The TAVR Heart Team in 2026: Navigating the CMS Decision | A CTSNet Webinar

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.