CTSNet Podcasts

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Brad Leshnower, Director of Aortic Surgery at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta, GA, USA, about the first implantation of the Gore Ascending Stent Graft in the ARISE III trial for the treatment of an acute type A dissection.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:26 New CTSNet Website

03:31 JANS 1, Thromboendarterectomy Fellowship

05:28 JANS 2, Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor

07:36 JANS 3, Type A Acute Aortic Dissections

09:51 JANS 4, Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis at 10 Years

11:46 Video 1, Nuss Procedure w Chrondrotomies

13:08 Video 2, Cardiac Redo Surgery

14:52 Video 3, Uniportal Lobectomy Bronchial Reimplantation

16:13 Dr. Leshnower, Ascending Stent Grafts

32:51 Career Center

33:52 Closing

They discussed Dr. Leshnower’s experience with this groundbreaking implantation, including the case details such as the patient’s medical history, the assessment of the patient’s high-risk status, and the criteria for determining their suitability for the procedure. Imaging techniques and the contributions of the other surgeons involved in the case were also highlighted. Furthermore, they delved into the use of the stent in previous ARISE trials and what Dr. Leshnower learned from those early experiences. The conversation also covered topics such as proximal placement, the innominate artery, and the preoperative planning required for the trial. Dr. Leshnower also shared what he learned from this case and discussed the future of the stent graft and this technique.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the safety and efficacy of a dedicated pulmonary thromboendarterectomy fellowship, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor use and outcomes after surgical aortic valve replacement, association between surgical timing and postoperative outcomes in type A acute aortic dissection, and early surgery or conservative care for asymptomatic aortic stenosis at 10 years.

In addition, Joel explores the Nuss procedure with midline chrondrotomies in severe pectus excavatum, redo surgery for failed MVr, iatrogenic ASD, tricuspid valve regurgitation, and aorta replacement, and uniportal VATS left lower sleeve lobectomy with upper lobe bronchial reimplantation for typical carcinoid tumor.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.  

JANS Items Mentioned

Safety and Efficacy of a Dedicated Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy Fellowship: The UK Experience at a High-Volume Center

Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter 2 Inhibitor Use and Outcomes After Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement

Association Between Surgical Timing and Postoperative Outcomes in TypeAAcute Aortic Dissection

Early Surgery or Conservative Care for Asymptomatic Aortic Stenosis at 10 Years 

CTSNet Content Mentioned

The Nuss Procedure With Midline Chrondrotomies in Severe Pectus Excavatum 

Redo Surgery for Failed MVr, Iatrogenic ASD, Tricuspid Valve Regurgitation, and Aorta Replacement 

Uniportal VATS Left Lower Sleeve Lobectomy With Upper Lobe Bronchial Reimplantation for Typical Carcinoid Tumor 

Other Items Mentioned

ARISE III Trial of Gore Ascending Stent Graft Begins Enrollment

How to Navigate the New CTSNet Website

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 expert guest Jan Headley, Principal at Consultants in Acute and Critical Care. They explore the use of functional hemodynamics in the postoperative management of cardiothoracic surgical patients.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:26 Case Study 

04:28 Fluid Responsiveness, Dynamic Parameters 

07:37 Variability Within Normal Limits 

09:34 Determining Responsiveness Efficiently 

12:45 No PA-Catheter Patients 

15:35 Reassessing Values 

17:22 First Step 

19:20 No-Fluid Patient 

20:27 Stroke Volume Trends 

21:13 Key Takeaways 

The discussion includes a case study illustrating how functional hemodynamics can guide clinical decisions in this context. They delve into the concepts of fluid management and fluid responsiveness, comparing dynamic parameters and static parameters, and the importance of increasing stroke volume. Key topics also include pulse pressure variation, stroke volume variation, variability, and delta stroke volume. The conversation further covers techniques such as the passive leg raise maneuver and the pulmonary occlusive maneuver.

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. Andrea Steely, an Assistant Professor of Cardiac Surgery in the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Utah Health, Salt Lake City, UT, USA, about aortic surgery and long-term patient follow-up.

Chapters

00:00 Intro 

01:43 New CTSNet Website 

02:36 AATS 2026 

09:15 EJCTS News 

10:15 Video 1, Left Ventriculotomy 

10:51 Video 2, 3-Vessel TECAB 

12:24 Video 3, AV Disease in Young Patients 

13:14 Andrea Steely, Aortic Surgery & Follow-Up 

29:14 Upcoming Events 

They discussed the critical importance of educating both patients and surgeons about aortic disease, and the most effective strategies for follow-up care after aortic surgery. The conversation also covered testing genetic factors and stabilizing the aortic arch. They also explored reintervention and the importance of a multidisciplinary follow-up approach. Additionally, they addressed topics such as lung cancer screening, the training of non-MDs to evaluate screening charts, and the development of an aortic pathology sheet for each patient.  

In addition, Joel explores an underutilized approach for closing multiple apical ventricular septal defects, robotic-assisted three-vessel minimally invasive coronary artery bypass, and a presentation from Emile Bacha on the "Surgical Management of Aortic Valve Disease in Young Patients." 

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1. Left Ventriculotomy: An Underutilized Approach for Closing Multiple Apical Ventricular Septal Defects 

2. Robotic-Assisted Three-Vessel Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass 

3. SCTS 2026 | Surgical Management of Aortic Valve Disease in Young Patients 

Other Items Mentioned 

1. How to Navigate the New CTSNet Website 

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. Zhi Lin, Chief Director of Cardiovascular Surgery Division 1 at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University in Xiamen, China, and Dr. Oscar A. Flores Flores, a cardiothoracic surgeon at Hospital Civil de Guadalajara Fray Antonio Alcalde in Guadalajara, Mexico, about The Heart Sapling Visiting Scholar Program.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:22 AATS, UAE Conference, King Faisal

05:28 JANS 1, LAA Closure vs Therapy AF

09:53 JANS 2, Thrombus-Free LAA Occlusion

11:49 JANS 3, Immunosuppression & Retransplantation

13:06 JANS 4, Biomarkers & Outcomes Isolated CABG

15:18 Video 1, Rheumatic MV Reconstruction

17:02 Video 2, Morgagni Hernia

18:07 Video 3, Robotic Excision Anterior Mediastinal

19:35 Lin Zhi & Oscar Flores, Chinese Fellowship & Surgery

34:25 Upcoming Events

35:13 Closing

Dr. Flores discusses what the program entails, sharing his experience as a fellow and the opportunities he gained from it. Dr. Lin then outlines the program’s goals and the various procedures that can be learned at Xiamen Cardiovascular Hospital of Xiamen University, which hosts the program. They also cover how to join the program and the application process. Furthermore, they discuss minimally invasive procedures in China and how this approach is growing in popularity.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on left atrial appendage closure or medical therapy in atrial fibrillation, long-term thrombus-free left atrial appendage occlusion via magnetofluids, implications of immunosuppression and retransplantation for donor-derived cell-free DNA associated with increased risk of chronic lung allograft dysfunction and mortality, and immunosenescence biomarkers and outcomes in isolated coronary artery bypass grafting. 

In addition, Joel explores rheumatic mitral valve reconstruction, tips for the surgical management of a Morgagni hernia, and right robotic excision of anterior mediastinal mass. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1. Left Atrial Appendage Closure or Medical Therapy in Atrial Fibrillation 

2. Long-Term Thrombus-Free Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Via Magnetofluids 

3. Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Associated With Increased Risk of Chronic Lung Allograft Dysfunction and Mortality: Implications of Immunosuppression and Retransplantation 

4. Immunosenescence Biomarkers and Outcomes in Isolated Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting 

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1. Rheumatic Mitral Valve Reconstruction 

2. Tips for the Surgical Management of a Morgagni Hernia 

3. Right Robotic Excision of Anterior Mediastinal Mass 

Other Items Mentioned 

1. Endoscopic Cone Repair in an Adult Patient With Ebstein Anomaly   

2. CTSNet Website Redesign: Important Updates and Transition Details  

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 Frank Tamru, author of Power: A Memoir and owner of Frank Tamru Consultants LLC, about aortic valve technology throughout the years.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:51 New Website Preparation

02:53 AATS 2026 Overview

11:59 Video 1, Robotic Right-Sided MIDCAB

13:08 Video 2, Extra-Anatomic IAA Repair

14:29 Video 3, Double-Decker Procedure

16:38 Video 4, Aortic Disease Awareness

19:53 Video 5, Robotic Culmen in Situs Inversus

21:30 Frank Tamru, Aortic Valve Technology

35:32 Upcoming Events

36:03 Closing

They explored Tamru’s professional background and involvement with heart surgeons and cardiovascular leaders. The conversation covered various topics, including heart valves and the evolution of open-heart centers. They also discussed the advancements in aortic valve replacement technologies and the critical role of surgeons as decision-makers in the field. Additionally, Frank shared his experience as the founding publisher of the Asian Cardiovascular and Thoracic Annals. 

In addition, Joel explores a robotic-assisted right-sided minimally invasive coronary artery bypass for anomalous origin of the right coronary artery, a transdiaphragmatic aorto-supraceliac extra-anatomic bypass for interrupted aortic arch with collateralizations, double-decker procedure for partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection, robotic-assisted right upper segmentectomy (culmen) in situs inversus totalis, and an interview with Gareth Owens and Dr. Ben Youdelman on Think Aorta and aortic disease awareness. 

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1. Robotic-Assisted Right-Sided Minimally Invasive Coronary Artery Bypass for Anomalous Origin of the Right Coronary Artery  

2. A Transdiaphragmatic Aorto-Supraceliac Extra-Anatomic Bypass for Interrupted Aortic Arch With Collateralizations  

3. Double-Decker Procedure for Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection  

4. Think Aorta and Aortic Disease Awareness: An Interview With Gareth Owens and Dr. Ben Youdelman  

5. Robotic-Assisted Right Upper Segmentectomy (Culmen) in Situs Inversus Totalis  

Other Items Mentioned 

1. Power: A Memoir 

2. Website Maintenance Alert! 

3. The Lifeline 

4. Career Center  

5. 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.