CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Puja Khaitan, thoracic consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Founder and Congress Chair of the Emirates International Thoracic Surgery Congress, about thoracic surgery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:35 JANS 1, Therapy & Risk in Idiopathic Pulm Fibrosis

04:18 JANS 2, Sex-Related Treatment Effects

06:03 JANS 3, Endoscopic vs Open RAH in CABG

08:14 JANS 4, Textbook Outcome in MV Surgery

11:16 Career Center

12:08 Video 1, AMDS to FET Conversion

13:13 Video 2, Constrictive Pericarditis & Pericardiectomy

14:42 Video 3, Right Axillary Thoracotomy

16:17 Dr. Khaitan, Thoracic Surgery in the UAE

23:46 Upcoming Events

24:46 Instructional Video Competition

They discussed her professional background and training, as well as the differences in cases between the UAE and United States. They also delved into research in the UAE, the state of thoracic hospitals, general surgical residency programs, and the future of fellowships in the country.  

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a large retrospective propensity-weighted cohort study on antifibrotic therapy and lung cancer risk in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sample size considerations to assess sex-related treatment effects, endoscopic or open radial artery harvest in coronary artery bypass surgery, and results from the Netherlands Heart Registration on mitral valve surgery. 

In addition, Joel explores a safe and reproducible redo aortic surgery approach on AMDS to frozen elephant trunk conversion, an approach to constrictive pericarditis and pericardiectomy from diagnosis to definitive surgical, and right axillary thoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Antifibrotic Therapy and Lung Cancer Risk in Patients With Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis: A Large Retrospective Propensity-Weighted Cohort Study 

2.) Sample Size Considerations to Assess Sex-Related Treatment Effects 

3.) Endoscopic or Open Radial Artery Harvest in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery 

4.) Textbook Outcome in Mitral Valve Surgery—Results from the Netherlands Heart Registration 

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) AMDS to Frozen Elephant Trunk Conversion: A Safe and Reproducible Redo Aortic Surgery Approach   

2.) From Diagnosis to Definitive Surgical Therapy: An Approach to Constrictive Pericarditis and Pericardiectomy 

3.) Right Axillary Thoracotomy: A Minimally Invasive Gateway to Multiple Defects 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Emirates International Thoracic Surgery Congress 

2.) Instructional Video Competition  

3.) Career Center  

4.) CTSNet Events Calendar 

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. Daniel Engelman, Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgical Critical Care & Inpatient Services at Baystate Health, Professor of Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School—Baystate, and President of the ERAS Cardiac Society; and co-moderator Dr. Kevin Lobdell, Professor and Director of Regional Cardiovascular and Thoracic Quality, Education, and Research at Atrium Health spoke with Dr. Rawn Salenger, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and Dr. Serdar Gunaydin, Head of Department at the University of Health Sciences in Turkey, about patient blood management.  

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:14 Transfusion as a Risk Factor 

07:08 Hemoglobin Drugs 

08:24 Pillars of Blood Management 

09:56 Anesthesia 

12:30 Transfusion Triggers 

17:33 O2 Delivery, Hemoglobin Number 

22:20 Non-Transfusion Patients 

23:22 Anemic Level Bottom Number 

25:06 Bleeding Checklist 

29:41 Anemia Tolerance 

They discussed independent risk factors for blood transfusion, the role of hemoglobin as a predictor for blood transfusion, and considerations related to anemic patients and hemoglobin levels. Additionally, they explored the key pillars of blood management, treating preoperative anemia, and anesthesia. They examined transfusion triggers, oxygen delivery, and the care of non-transfusion patients. Finally, they emphasized the importance of a bleeding checklist and anemia tolerance.  

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. Hani Shennib, a Clinical Professor of Vascular and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA, about catheters as a language.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:48 UK Thoracic Forum

06:11 JANS 1, Detecting AF Using Watch

07:44 JANS 2, End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler

09:24 JANS 3, Improving Patient Selection NSCLC

12:05 JANS 4, 5-Year Women Outcomes TAVR vs SAVR

13:30 Video 1, MVR Tips & Tricks

14:43 Video 2, Ruptured SVA w Hemi-Yacoub Remodeling

16:32 Video 3, Modified Inclusion, Autograft in a Vest

18:04 Dr. Shennib, Catheters as a Language

48:25 Upcoming Events

48:52 Career Center

They explore the importance of making catheters a language by learning, speaking, and practicing it daily. They also discuss how cardiac surgeons have lost the role of “gatekeepers,” with cardiologists now controlling more of the decision-making process. Dr. Shennib emphasizes the need for surgeons to be involved in decision-making from diagnosis to treatment and highlights the significance of patient-centered decision-making and the human aspect of these choices. They also compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), examining which procedure is more appropriate in different circumstances. Furthermore, they explore the reasons behind the shrinking cardiac specialty and discuss how to save it. Finally, they discuss the future of cardiac surgery.  

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a randomized controlled trial on the enhanced detection and prompt diagnosis of atrial fibrillation using an Apple watch, the results of a human cadaver study on a novel aortic end-to-end anastomotic stapler device, improving patient selection for minimally invasive lobectomy or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy based on clinical characteristics, and a systematic review and meta-analysis on the five-year outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in women. 

In addition, Joel explores tips and tricks for mitral valve repair from a Brussels experience, treatment of ruptured sinus valsalva aneurysm with hemi-Yacoub remodeling technique, and a Ross procedure with modified inclusion technique. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Enhanced Detection and Prompt Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation Using Apple Watch: A Randomized Controlled Trial 

2.) A Novel Aortic End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler Device—Results of a Human Cadaver Study 

3.) Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Improving Patient Selection for Minimally Invasive Lobectomy or Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Based on Clinical Characteristics 

4.) Five-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis  

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) Mitral Valve Repair—Tips and Tricks From Brussels Experience: 2025 London Core Review Cardiothoracic Surgery Course  

2.) Treatment of Ruptured Sinus Valsalva Aneurysm With Hemi-Yacoub Remodeling Technique  

3.) Ross Procedure With Modified Inclusion Technique: An Autograft in a Vest 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Instructional Video Competition  

2.) Career Center  

3.) CTSNet Events Calendar 

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. Louise Kenny, a consultant pediatric and adult congenital cardiothoracic and transplant surgeon at Freeman Hospital in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, about congenital heart transplants.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:24 JANS 1, VECTOR Procedure

07:38 JANS 2, Combined Inflation & Cooling

08:26 JANS 3, Caring for VIP Patients

11:43 JANS 4, Country Wealth & Min Inv Correlation

12:57 Career Center

13:37 Video 1, Debranching AAV Step-by-Step

15:14 Video 2, Abramson Technique

16:59 Video 3, Min Inv Cardiac w Dr. Chitwood

18:54 Dr. Kenny, DCD-HOPE Congenital Transplant

31:58 CKD & CSA-AKI Podcast Episode

34:12 Upcoming Events

35:13 Closing

They discussed the complexities surrounding congenital heart transplants, donation after brain death (DBD), and donation after circulatory death (DCD). They also explored the benefits of hypothermic oxygenated perfusion (HOPE) for children, particularly in DCD pediatrics patients, and highlighted the first case where this model was used. Additionally, they examined the future of HOPE and its potential for more complex procedures. Moreover, they discussed implanting ventricular assist devices (VAD) in children, along with what other countries are doing regarding congenital heart transplants, including ongoing studies in this field.   

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the first human VECTOR procedure for percutaneous aorto-coronary bypass graft to prevent coronary obstruction following TAVR, combined inflation and cooling method improves lung function in uncontrolled donation after circulatory death, caring for VIP patients in cardiothoracic surgery, and the national wealth and the global spread of minimally invasive thoracic surgery. 

In addition, Joel explores a step-by-step guide for debranching of aortic arch vessels through a cervical approach for aortic arch aneurysm, a master class with Horacio Abramson on the Abramson technique, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Dr. Randolph Chitwood about the future of minimally invasive cardiac surgery. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Percutaneous Aorto-Coronary Bypass Graft to Prevent Coronary Obstruction Following TAVR: First Human VECTOR Procedure 

2.) Combined Inflation and Cooling Method Improves Lung Function in Uncontrolled Donation After Circulatory Death 

3.) Caring for VIP Patients in Cardiothoracic Surgery: Navigating Bias, Pressure, and Protocol 

4.) National Wealth and the Global Spread of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: Insights From the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database 

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) Debranching of Aortic Arch Vessels Through a Cervical Approach for Aortic Arch Aneurysm: A Step-by-Step Guide 

2.) Master Class: The Abramson Technique With Horacio Abramson and Joel Dunning 

3.) The Atrium: The Future of Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) HOPE for Children: Successful Pediatric DCD Heart Transplantation Using Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion 

2.) Instructional Video Competition  

3.) Career Center  

4.) CTSNet Events Calendar 

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 Drs. Daniel Engelman, Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgical Critical Care & Inpatient Services at Baystate Health, Professor of Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School—Baystate, and President of the ERAS Cardiac Society, and Marlies Ostermann, consultant in critical care and nephrology at Guy's and St. Thomas Foundation Trust and a Director of Research for the Intensive Care Society, about chronic kidney disease (CKD) and cardiac surgery-associated acute kidney injury (CSA-AKI).

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:11 Definition & Background

10:55 Burden of CSA-AKI

12:58 Unmet Medical Need

19:47 Identification & Collaboration

26:07 KDIGO, O2 Delivery

32:15 CKD CSA-AKI Final Remarks

35:10 JANS, Success in African CT Surgery

38:49 Video, Modified Root Inclusion Technique

40:53 Closing

They delve into the complexities of CSA-AKI, exploring the percentage of patients affected, defining the condition, and highlighting the overall significance of this issue. They also address creatinine as a late marker for AKI, the long-term scarring that can occur from AKI, and the critical need for thorough preoperative assessments to identify high-risk patients. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of a complete health assessment before surgery. Furthermore, they discuss the dangers of reaching stage 3 AKI, the increased costs of care once that point is reached, and what actions to take if a patient has a positive marker but appears stable. They also highlight the premature use of diuretics contributing to AKI and hyperbilirubinemia. Moreover, they consider how CKD along elevates mortality risk and the importance of developing targeted therapies in the future. Finally, they discuss approaches to reduce ischemia-reperfusion (IR) AKI and the optimization of hemodynamics, as well as potential drugs for treating AKI effectively.  

Joel also highlights a recent JANS article on aligning training, patient profiles, and outcomes to redefine success in cardiac surgery in Africa. In addition, he explores the modified root inclusion technique for a fourth sternotomy with Ross/Konno after previous mechanical aortic valve replacement.  

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Redefining Success in Cardiac Surgery in Africa: Aligning Training, Patient Profiles, and Outcomes 

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) Fourth Sternotomy With Ross/Konno After Previous Mechanical Aortic Valve Replacement: The Modified Root Inclusion Technique 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Career Center  

2.) CTSNet Events Calendar 

3.) Instructional Video Competition  

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.