CTSNet Podcasts

In this episode of The Atrium, host Alice Copperwheat speaks 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), which just launched on CTSNet.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:14 Why CT Surgery?

02:58 Simulation-Education Background

06:07 Issue of Finding Examiners

07:39 Need for Verbal Practice

08:18 OBAS Overview

09:38 Guiding the AI, Surgeon Verification

12:41 Grading, Feedback

16:17 Simulator Improvements

18:29 Engaging the Examiner

19:50 Progressive Case Difficulty

21:44 Trialing, Data Utilization

24:13 CTSNet Launch

24:56 Surgery Training Advice

They discuss the inspiration behind the project, provide an overview of its functionality, and detail its development. Dr. Crabtree explains the challenges of building the simulator, including the complexities of using AI to generate precise, intended results and the process of developing its question bank. They also explore the creation of the grading rubric, the importance of user feedback to facilitate continuous growth, and the implementation of the simulator in small group sessions. Finally, they discuss the groups that have utilized the tool thus far and the future direction of the project, including the potential incorporation of a performance dashboard.

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.

Related Resources

Oral Board AI Simulator

 

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 Jeffrey Velotta, Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in San Francisco, California, USA, and a thoracic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, in Oakland, California, USA, about The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:11 JANS 1, Global Cardiac Surgery 

02:42 JANS 2, Predicting Postop AF After CABG 

05:23 JANS 3, MV Surgery in Octogenarians 

07:07 JANS 4, CABG Multiart Grafting & Survival  

10:06 Video 1, World's First Robotic Implant 

12:12 Video 2, Axillary Impella 5.5 Insertion 

13:00 Video 3, Min Inv AVR, MVR, & Rhythm Surgery 

15:37 Dr. Velotta, MMT Pleural Meso 

38:14 Upcoming Events 

They emphasize the importance of thorough patient selection, specifically highlighting the necessity of surgical biopsy and the role of mediastinal staging, such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). The discussion also covers neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, the critical need for surgeon expertise in mesothelioma, and the key elements for successful mesothelioma procedures. Furthermore, they address subjects such as diaphragm, phrenic nerve, pericardium, and isolated recurrences. The conversation also shifts to clinical outcomes, prioritizing survival extension over quality-of-life, and explores the future of mesothelioma treatment. Additionally, throughout the discussion, they also reflect on other research from major trials such as the MARS 2 trial.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on cardiac surgery uniting for global impact, pericardial fluid cardiac troponin I predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, whether mitral valve surgery is safe and effective in octogenarians, and an instrumental variable analysis on multiarterial grafting and survival after coronary artery bypass grafting.

In addition, Joel explores a step-by-step guide to transaxillary minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair, and rhythm surgery, insertion of the axillary Impella 5.5, and the first in human experience of robotic-assisted biventricular durable assist device implantation.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

From Declaration to Delivery: Cardiac Surgery Unites for Global Impact

Pericardial Fluid Cardiac Troponin I Predicts Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Pushing the Age Limit: Mitral Valve Surgery Is Safe and Effective in Octogenarians

Multiarterial Grafting and Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Instrumental Variable Analysis

CTSNet Content Mentioned

A Step-by-Step Guide to Transaxillary Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement, Mitral Valve Repair, and Rhythm Surgery

Insertion of the Axillary Impella 5.5

Robotic-Assisted Biventricular Durable Assist Device Implantation: The First In Human Experience 

Other Items Mentioned

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

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 Cardiac Recovery Room, moderator Amanda Rea, a nurse practitioner and Lead of Advanced Practice and Clinical Program Manager in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center in Townson, Maryland, USA, spoke with Cheryl Crisalfi, coordinator nurse at Baystate Medical Center, Springfield, Massachusetts, USA, about surgical site infection and prevention.

Chapters 

00:00 Intro 

01:13 SSI Turnkey Order Set 

02:20 Risk Factors 

03:15 Mitigation Efforts 

06:17 Antibiotics 

08:17 Preop Patient Prep 

08:56 Intraop Measures 

10:14 Role of Culture 

10:52 Postop Priorities 

11:52 Dressings 

12:11 Patient Education 

13:29 Post-Hospital Prevention 

14:43 SSI Prevention 

They explore turnkey order sets and its goals, as well as the patient risk factors that increase susceptibility to surgical site infections. They detail essential mitigation strategies, emphasizing both surgeon-led interventions and patient-directed actions, such as smoking cessation and glycemic control. Furthermore, they discuss clinical protocols—including screening for staphylococcus nasal colonization and appropriate antibiotic administration—as well as key intraoperative measures to maintain a sterile field and minimized operating room contamination. Finally, they emphasize the importance of patient education and follow-up care.

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.

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.