CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Michael Zervos, Chief of Clinical Thoracic Surgery and Director of Robotic Thoracic Surgery at NYU Langone Health, New York, USA, about an article he authored titled “A 10-Step Approach to Robotic Pulmonary Artery Sleeve Resection.”

They discussed the article’s objectives and the inspiration behind its creation, as well as the tips and techniques it presents, including the highlighted videos. Additional topics included robotic surgical clamps and their sizes, uniportal and single-port robotic surgery, the double-loop techniques, and interlobar pulmonary artery sleeve resection. They also reviewed other papers on similar topics and discussed their findings.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the effect of donor oxygenation trajectory on lung procurement for transplantation, Jehovah Witnesses deciding whether to accept or donate main blood components, mitral annular constraint shapes aortic prosthesis size and early hemodynamics in combined aortic and mitral valve surgery, outcomes of total arch replacement after prior aortic surgery, and a Society of Thoracic Surgeons database analysis on concomitant atrial fibrillation procedures during septal myectomy

In addition, Joel explores an interview with Sameh Said and Joachim Photiadis on transfusion-free cardiac surgery in neonates, how to create a y-anastomosis between the left and right internal thoracic arteries, how to perform a hemi-commando procedure, robot-arm stabilizer technique for off-pump totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass, a measurement-guided approach for degenerative mitral valve repair with folding plasty technique, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Bernard Park about robotic thoracic surgery.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Effect of Donor Oxygenation Trajectory on Lung Procurement for Transplantation

Jehovah’s Witnesses: Each Witness Now Decides Whether to Accept or Donate Main Blood Components

Mitral Annular Constraint Shapes Aortic Prosthesis Size and Early Hemodynamics in Combined Aortic and Mitral Valve Surgery

Outcomes of Total Arch Replacement After Prior Aortic Surgery

Concomitant Atrial Fibrillation Procedures During Septal Myectomy: A Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database Analysis

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Transfusion-Free Cardiac Surgery in Neonates: An Interview With Joachim Photiadis

The Atrium: Robotic Thoracic Surgery

How to Create a Y-Anastomosis Between the Left and Right Internal Thoracic Arteries

How to Perform a Hemi-Commando Procedure

Robot-Arm Stabilizer Technique for Off-Pump Totally Endoscopic Coronary Artery Bypass

A Measurement-Guided Approach for Degenerative Mitral Valve Repair With Folding Plasty Technique

Other Items Mentioned

A 10-Step Approach to Robotic Pulmonary Artery Sleeve Resection

2026 Innovation Video Competition Winners

Resident Video Competition

A Closer Look at Robotic CABG | CTSNet Roundtable

In Africa for Africa Cardio-Thoracic Conference Presentations

Oral Board AI Simulator

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 Aaron Weiss from the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Sandra Atlas Bass Heart Hospital at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset, New York, USA. They discuss Dr. Weiss' recent expert review on “Ten Guiding Principles for the Management of Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock,” focusing on Principle 5: simplifying the clinical problem by addressing "noise," such as pulmonary or electrical abnormalities that contribute to instability.

Chapters 

00:00 Principles Overview 

03:21 Addressing "Noise" 

06:47 Case Study Start 

10:53 Arterial Blood Gas 

13:21 Electrolyte Abnormalities 

15:49 Rhythm, Pacing Wires 

20:48 Vasoplegia 

25:35 Hemorrhage 

29:12 Corrections Causing Delays 

31:13 Proactive Approach 

The conversation examines the background and utility of these principles in the timely management of postcardiotomy shock. The key steps are defined as inflection points that guide decision-making rather than as a rigid algorithm. Using a clinical case study, they explore a methodological approach to confounding pathophysiologies that prevent recovery, including metabolic abnormalities and dysrhythmias causing ventricular dyssynchrony. Additionally, they review proactive assessment and management strategies, including temporary atrioventricular (AV) pacing, to eliminate confounders that can mask causation and the need for urgent intervention. Careful assessment during critical phases of the operation are highlighted to alter the downward spiral of shock and "salvaging the unsalvageable."

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

Ten Guiding Principles for the Management of Postcardiotomy Cardiogenic Shock

 

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 Luca Di Marco, a cardiac surgeon in the Department of Cardiac Surgery at the Bologna University Hospital, Italy, about managing the left subclavian artery during aortic arch repair.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
02:29 STS 2026
03:24 Pope Thoracic Case
04:38 Age on Acute Type A AD
06:16 Regurgitation Risk Factors
08:01 Late Results of Ross Procedure
10:25 Effects of Wildfire Smoke
12:15 Two-Surgeon Review System Transplants
13:58 Retrosternal False Aneurysm
17:25 Immunotherapy Lung Resections Robotic
18:16 Min Inv VSD Repair 
20:13 Dr. Di Marco, Left Subclavian Artery Guidelines
29:22 Upcoming Events
29:46 Resident Video Competition
30:37 Career Center

They discussed the soon-to-be released guidelines for managing the left subclavian artery, chaired by Dr. Di Marco, including their importance and current development status. They also reviewed Dr. Di Marco’s institutional approach to left subclavian artery management and the institution’s policies. Additionally, they explored surgical techniques, including side-to-side anastomosis involving the left carotid artery and anastomosis in Zone 2. Finally, they addressed alternative strategies when standard anastomosis is not feasible and endovascular solutions.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the impact of age on acute type A aortic dissection, risk factors for recurrent tricuspid regurgitation after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension, late results of the Ross procedure, the far-reaching effects of wildfire smoke, and the effect of a two-surgeon review system on donor offers in lung transplantation at a high-volume center.

In addition, Joel explores the repair of a retrosternal false aneurysm after previous aortic valve replacement, robotic approach as the gold standard for immunotherapy lung resections, and minimally invasive VSD repair via right lateral minithoracotomy.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned 

The Impact of Age on Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: Results From The Nordic Consortium

Risk Factors for Recurrent TR After Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy for CTEPH

Late Results of the Ross Procedure

The Far-Reaching Effects of Wildfire Smoke

The Effect of a Two-Surgeon Review System on Donor Offers in Lung Transplantation at a High-Volume Center

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

Repair of a Retrosternal False Aneurysm After Previous Aortic Valve Replacement

Robotic Approach as the Gold Standard for Immunotherapy Lung Resections

Minimally Invasive VSD Repair Via Right Lateral Minithoracotomy

Other Items Mentioned 

Resident Video Competition

Oral Board AI Simulator  

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 Bernard Park, Deputy Chief of Clinical Affairs of the Thoracic Service at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York, USA, about robotic thoracic surgery.

Chapters

00:00 Overview & History
10:56 Benefits
12:19 Negatives
18:15 Patient Selection
20:52 Preparation & Positioning
25:40 Port Placement
32:46 Bedside Assisting
35:37 Instrument Use
41:00 The Operation
42:01 Post-Op Management
45:41 Learning to Operate
52:51 Key Points
53:39 Surgery Training Advice

They discussed the history of robotic thoracic surgery, its advantages and limitations, patient selection, preoperative preparation and positioning, port placement, and instrumentation, including the fenestrated grasper. They reviewed postoperative management, potential complications, and future directions in robotic thoracic surgery.

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.  

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 Rawn Salenger, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, USA, spoke with T. Sloane Guy, a cardiovascular surgeon at Georgia Heart Institute at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, and Chase Brown, Director of Robotic Coronary Surgery at the University of Pennsylvania, USA, about robotics and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS).

Chapters 

00:00 New Cardiac Surgery Indication 

04:59 Training, Mentorship 

08:54 Robotics & ERAS Synergy 

12:47 Need for Less Invasiveness 

17:26 Accessible Training Pathway 

19:16 Surgeon Commitment 

19:56 Technique Innovation 

23:04 Perioperative Phase 

They explore the growth of robotic systems, the increasing number of robotic systems gaining FDA approval, and resistance to the adoption of robotics. They also discussed training and learning robotics, the importance of mentorship, and what robotics adds to ERAS programs—and vice versa. Additionally, they examine nonrobotic endoscopic surgery, the challenges of establishing a robotic program, the importance of committing to robotics, and the advantages of robotic mitral valve surgery over minithoractomy.

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

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.