CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with CTSNet Senior Editor—Global Emily Farkas, Associate Director of Global Health in Surgery at the Indiana University School of Medicine, about the upcoming Cardiac Surgery Intersociety Alliance (CSIA) conference and global cardiothoracic surgery.

Chapters

00:00 Intro
01:16 Passing of Dr. Taggart
05:18 JANS 1, Humanoid OR Robots
09:17 JANS 2, ENDOASC Study
12:12 JANS 3, QUACS Study & Prediction Model
15:38 JANS 4, Neopulm Valve Reconstruction
17:14 Video 1, Direct View Double Valve
19:21 Video 2, 3D AVR w Extended Myectomy
20:38 Video 3, Aorto-Mitral Angle
22:51 Dr. Farkas, CSIA Conference & Global Surgery
35:50 Upcoming Events

In their interview, they discuss details of the upcoming conference, including its primary goals, covered topics, the keynote address, and the featured speakers. They also explore the history of the CSIA, available courses at the conference, and opportunities for trainees and residents, as well as the first steps for those looking to support surgical care in developing countries. 

Joel also reflects on the recent passing of Professor David Taggart, sharing his personal connection to him and highlighting Dr. Taggart’s significant professional career and accomplishments.

In addition, Joel highlights recent JANS articles on humanoid robots in the operating room, the ENDOASC multicenter global study on the total endovascular repair of ascending aortic pathology, the QUACS study and benefit prediction model, and neopulmonary valve reconstruction using autologous right atrial appendage.

Furthermore, Joel explores a step-by-step procedural guide on the transaxillary direct-view double valve surgery, 3D endoscopic aortic valve replacement combined with extended septal myectomy via right lateral minithoracotomy, and aorto-mitral angle determining ease of mitral valve repair.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Humanoid Robots in the Operating Room: A Framework for Staged Integration of Embodied AI in Surgery

Total Endovascular Repair of Ascending Aortic Pathology: The ENDOASC Multicentre Global Study

Quality of Life After Cardiac Surgery: The QUACS Study and Benefit Prediction Model

Neopulmonary Valve Reconstruction Using Autologous Right Atrial Appendage: Early Single-Center Results

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Transaxillary Direct-View Double Valve Surgery: A Step-by-Step Procedural Guide

3D Endoscopic Aortic Valve Replacement Combined With Extended Septal Myectomy via Right Lateral Minithoracotomy

Aorto-Mitral Angle Determines Ease of Mitral Valve Repair: Essential Anatomical Considerations

Other Items Mentioned

From Declaration to Delivery: Cardiac Surgery Unites for Global Impact

Register for the Inaugural ‘In Africa for Africa’ Cardio-Thoracic Conference in Cape Town!

David Taggart, MD

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 edition 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, CA, USA, speaks with CTSNet Associate Editor—Cardiac Andrea Steely, an Assistant Professor of Cardiac Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. Together, they examine the management of acute aortic emergencies.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

00:44 Emergent Conditions 

04:07 Symptoms for Diagnosis 

09:19 Left vs Right Arm Blood Pressure 

10:37 Preop Management Quality Assurance 

15:45 Intraoperative Management 

20:04 At-Risk Patients 

22:34 Summarizing Points 

The discussion covers clinical management of emergency conditions, Type A vs Type B dissection, and imaging. Key topics included diagnostic strategies to ensure early detection, clinical symptoms for conditions, and the importance of measuring both left and right arm blood pressure. The session also addressed heart rate and blood pressure control in preoperative settings, the importance of a multidisciplinary approach, intraoperative management, and fluid management. Finally, they cover at-risk patients.

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!  

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. Aamir Amin, a cardiothoracic surgery resident at Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, UK, about humanoid robots and artificial intelligence (AI) in surgery.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:19 Quadruple-Organ Transplant 

02:12 Sublobar Resection NSCLC Consensus 

07:25 Ventricular Papillary MI Consensus 

14:23 Weather Triggers of Acute Aortic Dissection 

15:14 Perivascular Adipose ITA 

16:20 Video 1, VATS Hyperparathyroidism 

18:22 Video 2, Left VATS Pneumonectomy 

20:27 Dr. Amin, Humanoid AI in Surgery 

36:08 Upcoming Events 

37:17 Career Center 

Dr. Amin shares his insights from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) (Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA) executive program on AI in healthcare, highlighting the program’s benefits and key takeaways. He also reviewed research on humanoid robots, including a paper titled “In Vivo Feasibility Study of Humanoid Robots in Surgery.” Additionally, they discussed the practical implementation of AI in surgery, its broader benefits, and its specific application within cardiothoracic and intraoperative settings. Finally, they explored the risks associated with humanoid robots and Dr. Amin provided guidance on the initial steps individuals can take to get involved with AI.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the STS expert consensus document (2026) on addressing definition and practices of sublobar resection in non-small cell lung cancer, ventricular free-wall rupture, ventricular pseudoaneurysm, and papillary muscle rupture complicating acute myocardial infarction, a case-crossover study of 293 patients on weather-related triggers of acute aortic dissection, and perivascular adipose on relaxation of internal thoracic artery with surgical implications.

In addition, Joel explores a VATS solution for ectopic primary hyperparathyroidism, left VATS pneumonectomy, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Dr. Filip Casselman about aortic valve replacement.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

STS Expert Consensus Document (2026) on Addressing Definition and Practices of Sublobar Resection in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Ventricular Free-Wall Rupture, Ventricular Pseudoaneurysm, and Papillary Muscle Rupture Complicating Acute Myocardial Infarction

Weather-Related Triggers of Acute Aortic Dissection: A Case-Crossover Study of 293 Patients

Perivascular Adipose on Relaxation of Internal Thoracic Artery With Surgical Implications: Better Antispastic Effect of Pedicle Than Skeletal Grafts

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Navigating the Mediastinum: A VATS Solution for Ectopic Primary Hyperparathyroidism

The Atrium: Aortic Valve Replacement

Left VATS Pneumonectomy

Other Items Mentioned

Humanoid Robots in the Operating Room: A Framework for Staged Integration of Embodied AI in Surgery

In Vivo Feasibility Study of Humanoid Robots in Surgery

Human–Robot Collaboration in Surgery at the Nexus of Knowledge, Agency, and Ownership

Northwestern Medicine Performs First Known Quadruple-Organ Transplant Involving Retransplanted Lungs

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.

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Ahmed Ghazy, Head of Minimally Invasive Surgery at Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz, Germany, about robotic cardiac surgery adoption and training.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:06 SRS Conference

03:57 JANS 1, Surgical Left AA Closure

05:01 JANS 2, Mainstream CTS Research

06:20 JANS 3, Socioec Deprivation Aortic Outcomes

07:55 JANS 4, Standalone & Hybrid AF Ablation

09:54 Video 1, Type A AAR & PA Banding

11:32 Video 2, Off-Pump SVC Reconstruction

13:39 Video 3, Endarterectomy & Off-Pump CABG

14:29 Dr. Ghazy, Robotic Cardiac Training

29:48 Upcoming Events

Dr. Ghazy shares his experience working with Dr. M. M. Yusuf, a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon at Apollo Hospitals in Chennai, India. Their conversation covers Dr. Ghazy’s hands-on experience with various robotic systems and simulators, the professional connections he made, and insights into India’s healthcare system. He also details the logistics of organizing the visit, including the application process and the specific procedures he performed. Furthermore, they discuss the difference between robotic systems and the difference between robotic-assisted and traditional minimally invasive surgery.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on methods and criteria for evaluating the success of surgical left atrial appendage closure, evaluating the mainstream influence of cardiothoracic surgical research, insights from a 20-year single-center cohort on the impact of socioeconomic deprivation on early and long-term outcomes after major aortic surgery, and safety and efficacy of stand-alone and hybrid thoracoscopic atrial fibrillation ablation.

In addition, Joel explores Type A interrupted aortic arch repair and pulmonary artery banding through a left posterolateral thoracotomy, off-pump superior vena cava reconstruction with mediastinal mass excision for SVC syndrome, and a 30-year-old bullet injury causing carotid stenosis—simultaneous carotid endarterectomy and off-pump CABG.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

Methods and Criteria for Evaluating the Success of Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Closure: A Systematic Review

Evaluating the Mainstream Influence of Cardiothoracic Surgical Research: An Analysis of Google Trends Data from 2004 to 2024

Impact of Socioeconomic Deprivation on Early and Long-­Term Outcomes After Major Aortic Surgery: Insights From a 20-Year Single­Centre Cohort 

Safety and Efficacy of Stand-Alone and Hybrid Thoracoscopic Atrial Fibrillation Ablation 

CTSNet Content Mentioned

Type A Interrupted Aortic Arch Repair and Pulmonary Artery Banding Through a Left Posterolateral Thoracotomy 

Off-Pump Superior Vena Cava Reconstruction With Mediastinal Mass Excision for SVC Syndrome 

A 30-Year-Old Bullet Injury Causing Carotid Stenosis—Simultaneous Carotid Endarterectomy and Off-Pump CABG

Other Items Mentioned

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. Filip Casselman, Staff Surgeon and Co-Director of the Cardiovascular Center at OLV Clinic (AZORG), Aalst, Belgium, about aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:30 Why CT Surgery?

02:36 Anatomy

03:23 Pathology

06:15 History

09:06 Preoperative Planning

15:12 Indications

16:26 TAVR vs SAVR

20:25 Step-by-Step

41:25 Postop Management & Complications

46:32 Training Advice

The discussion explores the anatomy of the aortic valve, the pathology of aortic stenosis (AS) and aortic regurgitation (AR), and their respective echo grading, including complex cases like low-flow, low-gradient AS and bicuspid aortic valves. The conversation covers the history of AVR, preoperative planning—including prosthesis selection—and clinical indications for intervention in both symptomatic and asymptomatic severe aortic stenosis.

Furthermore, they compare transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVI) with surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Technical aspects of the procedure were also addressed, from preparation and positioning to median or J-sternotomy approaches, cannulation, aortotomy, prosthesis sizing, managing patient-prosthesis mismatch, weaning from bypass, and chest closure. Finally, they provide insights into sutureless devices, postoperative management, and complications.

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.