Discussions about the most relevant topics in cardiothoracic surgery from CTSNet, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Michael Lanuti, Director of Thoracic Oncology in the Division of Thoracic Surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School, and thoracic surgeon and CTSNet Senior Editor Leanne Ashrafian about Dr. Lanuti’s thoughts on the JCOG0802 trial and how he believes the wrong parameters were measured.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:52 JANS 1, ESTS Guidelines
05:09 JANS 2, Resident-Led Operating
06:57 JANS 3, Fasting Impact on Pulm Aspiration
10:02 JANS 4, What Does a Dr Look Like
12:00 Video 1, Robotic Resection & Reconstruction
13:31 Video 2, Neonatal Off-Pump Shunt DORV
15:11 Video 3, Min Inv Bi-IMA OPCAB
16:12 Dr. Lanuti, JCOG0802 Results
44:58 Upcoming Events
45:38 Instructional Video Competition
45:49 Career Center
They discussed local recurrence rates, pulmonary function, and the subtypes of adenocarcinoma. Additionally, they explored how to apply these results to future patients, central and peripheral lesions, and other randomized trials. They also covered the five-year results of the JCOG0802 trial and future studies and the implications for future studies, focusing on the parameters that should be considered. Furthermore, they addressed pulmonary function tests and wedge resection.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on European Respiratory Society and European Society of Thoracic Surgeons clinical practice guideline on fitness for curative intent treatment of lung cancer, a 10-year propensity-matched analysis on the impact of resident-led operating on outcomes in adult cardiac surgery, a systematic review and meta-analysis on no association between preprocedural fasting and witnessed pulmonary aspiration, and asking AI what a doctor looks like.
In addition, Joel explores robotic anterolateral approach for left secondary carinal tumor resection and reconstruction, neonatal Blalock-Taussig-Thomas shunt for double outlet right ventricle with RVOTO, and minimally invasive Bi-IMA OPCAB via left thoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
4.) What Does a Doctor Look Like? Asking AI
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Robotic Anterolateral Approach for Left Secondary Carinal Tumor Resection and Reconstruction
2.) Neonatal Off-Pump Blalock-Taussig-Thomas Shunt for Double Outlet Right Ventricle With RVOTO
3.) Minimally Invasive Bi-IMA OPCAB Via Left Thoracotomy
Other Items Mentioned
1.) 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.
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
Thursday Jan 08, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Gavin Wright, thoracic surgeon and Director of Surgical Oncology at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, Australia, and thoracic surgeon and CTSNet Senior Editor Leanne Ashrafian about Dr. Wright’s thoughts on the JCOG0802 trial and why he prefers segmentectomy over lobectomy.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:59 JANS 1, Chest Tube Removal Review
05:33 JANS 2, Tricuspid Ann Remodeling
07:53 JANS 3, The Cost of Gender in MV Surgery
09:42 JANS 4, Endo Balloon vs Clamping
11:53 AVR & LIMA to LAD via Bi Minithorac
13:13 Surgical Reimplant ARCAPA
14:14 Editors Picks 2025
20:41 Gavin Wright, Segmentectomy vs Lob
44:33 Upcoming Events
45:56 Instructional Video Competition
46:12 Career Center
46:35 Closing
They discussed the findings of the JCOG0802 trial and compared it to the CALGB 140503 trial. They also covered the use of FEV1 as an assessment tool, the significance of p-values, local recurrence, and Type I errors. Additionally, they reviewed The Lancet paper addressing segmentectomy vs lobectomy. Furthermore, they explored potential future trials, including the debate over wedge resection vs segmentectomy.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a systematic review and meta-analysis on chest tube removal after cardiac surgery in first vs. second postoperative day, tricuspid annular remodeling in tachycardia induced cardiomyopathy with functional tricuspid regurgitation, a propensity-score matched analysis on the silent cost of gender in mitral valve surgery, and endo-aortic balloon occlusion versus transthoracic clamping in minimally invasive mitral valve surgery.
In addition, Joel explores endoscopic AVR and LIMA to LAD via bilateral minithoracotomy, surgical reimplantation of the anomalous origin of the right coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ARCAPA), and the 2025 CTSNet Editors' Picks. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) The Silent Cost of Gender in Mitral Valve Surgery: A Propensity-Score Matched Analysis
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic AVR and LIMA to LAD Via Bilateral Minithoracotomy
3.) CTSNet Summarized—Editors’ Picks 2025
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Instructional Video Competition
2.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Friday Jan 02, 2026
Friday Jan 02, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning reflects on the most popular content of 2025 on CTSNet.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:15 Top Interview
03:52 Top Webinar
05:23 Top Clinical Video
06:24 Top JANS Article
07:01 Top Video Series
08:02 Top Contributor
08:59 Top Cardiac Procedures
12:14 Top Podcasts
17:02 JANS 1, Doctor Story
21:28 JANS 2, Ex Vivo Heart Perfusion
22:41 JANS 3, PCI vs CABG
24:04 JANS 4, NEOpredict-Lung
25:29 2026 Plans
He discusses the top interview, the most popular webinar, and reveals the leading CTSNet contributor of the year. He also highlights the most-read JANS article, the most viewed CTSNet series, the top clinical videos in cardiac surgery, and the leading podcast episodes of 2025 from both The Beat and The Atrium. Additionally, he shares key statistics about CTSNet, including website viewership, YouTube subscribers, and listener demographics.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on if ex vivo heart perfusion offsets ischemic penalties with six-hour or greater preservation in adult donation after brain death heart transplantation, an impactful article titled “This Man Saved My Life—I Live by His Example,” the long-term outcomes for women with chronic coronary artery disease after percutaneous coronary intervention vs coronary artery bypass grafting, and the long-term outcomes of preoperative nivolumab with or without relatlimab in patients with resectable non-small-cell lung cancer (NEOpredict-Lung).
In addition, Joel outlines CTSNet’s goals and initiatives to look forward to in 2026. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
2.) This Man Saved My Life—I Live by His Example
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) CTSNet Summarized—Most Popular Content of 2025
2.) CTSNet Summarized—Most Popular Podcast Episodes of 2025
3.) CTSNet Summarized—Top Cardiac Procedure Videos of 2025
Other Items Mentioned
1.) All CTSNet Summarized Content
2.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Friday Dec 26, 2025
Friday Dec 26, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning discusses how to get involved with Pace4Life, a charity he supports that provides reconditioned pacemakers to Ghana. He also previews upcoming podcast episodes and guests, including discussions on the Ross procedure guidelines and more interviews related to the JCOG0802 trial.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:31 JANS 1, Ethiopian Surgeon
07:08 JANS 2, RCA to Cor Sinus Fistula
09:30 JANS 3, Y-Incision Hemodynamics
12:38 JANS 4, Endograft Infection
15:06 Instructional Video Competition
16:01 Career Center
16:40 Video 1, Complications Podcast
19:34 Video 2, Totally Endoscopic Case
21:23 Video 3, Post-Infarction VSD Repair
23:15 Closing, Upcoming Events
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a heart surgeon who saved another surgeon’s life as a teen and how they now perform surgeries together, right coronary artery to coronary sinus fistula, a surgical aortic valve replacement with Y-incision aortic annular enlargement provided better hemodynamics than transcatheter aortic valve replacement, and management of endograft infection after thoracic endovascular aortic repair.
In addition, Joel explores totally endoscopic mitral and tricuspid valve repair, ASD with APVR repair, and LAA occlusion, as well as the repair of a post-infarction VSD, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Dr. Samer Nashef about complications in cardiothoracic surgery. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
1.) A Heart Surgeon Saved His Life as a Teen. Now They Perform Surgeries Together.
2.) Right Coronary Artery to Coronary Sinus Fistula: A Rare Problem With an Elegant Solution
4.) Management of Endograft Infection After Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair
CTSNet Content Mentioned
2.) Totally Endoscopic Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Repair, ASD With APVR Repair, and LAA Occlusion
3.) Repair of a Post-Infarction VSD
Other Items Mentioned
3.) Instructional Video Competition
4.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
Thursday Dec 18, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Dr. Nasser Altorki, thoracic surgeon at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York, and thoracic surgeon and CTSNet Senior Editor Leanne Ashrafian about the 10-year results from the JCOG0802 trial.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:56 JANS 1, Re-Repair vs Replacement
05:07 JANS 2, Mini Mitral Multicentre RCT
07:01 JANS 3, PERSEVERE Study
08:54 JANS 4, Parietal Pleurectomy vs Pleural Abrasion
11:38 Career Center
12:33 Video 1, Endoscopic Post-Infarction VSD Repair
14:11 Video 2, 3D Dor Procedure & MVR Huge LV Aneurysm
15:19 Video 3, Non-Cardioplegic Myo Protection Robotic
17:16 Nasser Altorki Interview, JCOG
45:16 Upcoming Events
47:20 Closing
They discuss key aspects of the trial, including the noninferiority primary endpoint. Dr. Altorki shares his overall thoughts on the trial, and they also examine topics such as pulmonary function, lobar vs sublobar resection, and segmentectomy vs wedge resection. Additionally, they explore secondary primary lung cancer, the importance of thoracic surgeons presenting data to patients, and best practices for segmentectomy to ensure patient safety. They also examine good wedge resection vs bad wedge resection, planning for segmentectomy, and the future of lobectomy and segmentectomy.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the outcomes of re-repair vs replacement after failed primary mitral regurgitation repair, minimally invasive thoracoscopically-guided right minithoracotomy vs conventional sternotomy for mitral valve repair, one-year results of novel aortic arch hybrid prosthesis for repair of acute DeBakey Type I dissection with malperfusion, and a meta-analysis of efficacy and safety of parietal pleurectomy vs pleural abrasion in treating spontaneous pneumothorax.
In addition, Joel explores endoscopic post-infarction VSD repair, 3D video-assisted endoscopic Dor procedure and MVR for post-infarction huge LV aneurysm, and non-cardioplegic myocardial protection for robotic mitral surgery. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic Post-Infarction VSD Repair
3.) Non-Cardioplegic Myocardial Protection for Robotic Mitral Surgery
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Instructional Video Competition
2.) 2025 Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club Video Competition
3.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
Wednesday Dec 17, 2025
In this episode of The Cardiac Recovery Room, moderator Vicki Morton, Director of Clinical and Quality Outcomes at Providence Anesthesiology Associates in North Carolina, USA, spoke with Alexander Gregory, a cardiovascular anesthesiologist and assistant professor in the Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine, and the Libin Cardiovascular Institute at the Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada, and Dr. V. Seenu Reddy, a cardiothoracic surgeon at HCA’s TriStar Cardiovascular Surgery in Nashville, Tennesee, USA, about the 10 things they hate about Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS).
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:38 Overcomplication
05:29 Simple Barriers
08:54 Change Obstructionists
10:52 Status Quo
12:49 Messing with Protocol
14:21 Giving Up on Protocol
16:48 Need for Patient-Reported Outcomes
19:18 Struggle Into Cardiac Subspecialty
21:30 Takeaways
The goal of this discussion was to identify specific challenges and propose potential solutions. They emphasize the importance of having two leaders—a champion and a co-champion—to effectively guide ERAS initiatives. Additionally, they discuss creating standing orders and issues related to microbarriers and resistance to change. They also highlight the need for customization of protocols, acknowledging the differences between surgeons who utilize ERAS and those who do not, as well as the tendency to maintain the status quo. Patient perspectives are another key focus, with a call to implement changes that enhance tracking and monitoring of patient outcomes. Furthermore, they explore the role of technology designed for patients, as well as applying ERAS principles to surgeries that fall “outside of the box.”
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.
Friday Dec 12, 2025
Friday Dec 12, 2025
In this episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Samer Nashef, a consultant cardiac surgeon at Papworth Hospital in Cambridge, about complications in cardiothoracic surgery.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:34 Dr. Nashef Background
04:06 Results Monitoring
08:55 Common Complications
14:40 Mentality
19:18 Identifying Room for Improvement
21:25 Pattern of Response
22:47 Long-Term Complications
26:08 Mortality/Morbidity Meetings
28:28 Perfection, Balance
30:33 Coping w Major Complications
35:06 Learning Your Psyche
35:51 Trainee-Consultant Responsibility
37:51 Resilience
39:19 Key Takeaways
41:07 Training Advice
They delve into early complications that trainees experience, approaches to managing acute complications, and nonacute and postoperative complications. They also highlight learning from complications, coping strategies, and the emotional impact involved in cardiothoracic surgery. Additionally, they discuss the concepts of growth, resilience, and strength in cardiothoracic surgery. Furthermore, Dr. Nashef provides advice to trainees currently navigating difficult cases, and general guidance for those in training.
The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Be sure to watch 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.
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
Thursday Dec 11, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Laurens Ceulemans, thoracic surgeon at the University Hospitals Leuven in Belgium, about lung volume reduction.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:41 Right to Repair, Robotics Re-Use
04:53 REPEAT Trial
06:30 JANS 1, PCI After CABG Randomized Trial
08:01 JANS 2, No-Touch vs Conventional Saph Veins
11:04 JANS 3, Sir Terence English & Keyvyn Mohagissi
12:09 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
12:54 Video 1, JCOG0802 Bombshell & Webinar
16:33 Video 2, Endoscopic Cardiac Foreign Body Extraction
17:56 Video 3, First Europe Robotic AVR Perceval Valve
18:42 Video 4, Bilateral VATS Sympathectomy
20:10 Laurens Ceulemans Interview
34:15 Upcoming Events
34:48 Closing
They highlighted key takeaways from the procedure and addressed the issue of air leaks. They also discussed bilateral lung volume reduction and emphasized the importance of a team approach. Additionally, they focused on why surgeons should be selecting the healthiest patients for this operation rather than the most critically ill, as well as the future of lung volume reduction.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a multicenter, randomized trial on the PCI of native coronary artery vs saphenous vein graft after prior bypass surgery, a meta-analysis of randomized trials on the outcomes of no-touch vs conventionally harvested saphenous veins for coronary artery bypass surgery, and the death of transplant pioneer Sir Terence English at 93.
In addition, Joel explores bombshell 10-year JCOG0802 results showing lobectomy is superior to segmentectomy for lung cancer, endoscopic extraction of a cardiac foreign body, the first robotic aortic valve replacement in Europe using a Perceval valve, and bilateral VATS sympathectomy for ventricular tachycardia electrical storm. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) Transplant Pioneer Sir Terence English Dies at 93
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Bombshell 10-Year JCOG0802 Results Show Lobectomy Is Superior to Segmentectomy for Lung Cancer
2.) Military Heart Trauma: Endoscopic Extraction of a Cardiac Foreign Body
3.) First Robotic Aortic Valve Replacement in Europe Using a Perceval Valve
4.) Bilateral VATS Sympathectomy for Ventricular Tachycardia Electrical Storm
Other Items Mentioned
2.) 2025 Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club Video Competition
3.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
Thursday Dec 04, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Christopher McGregor, professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, about the current state of cardiac and kidney xenotransplantation.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:10 Sir Terence English
08:00 JANS 1, Cardiac Xenotransplantation
09:13 JANS 2, Coffee Consumption on AF
11:06 JANS 3, Environmental Factors Acute AD
12:49 JANS 4, PROTHOR Trial
15:15 Video 1, Combined AV & Coronary via LAM
17:08 Video 2, ARCA w MV Prolapse
19:32 Video 3, Redo Elephant Trunk After EAR
22:06 Chris McGregor Interview
48:23 Upcoming Events
50:15 Closing
They discussed the three approved trials for xenotransplantation in 2025, the preclinical efficacy assessment, and the various challenges of xenotransplantation. Additionally, they explored the history of orthotopic transplants, heart failure, and antibody-mediated rejection. They also examined the future of xenotransplantation and the anatomy of pig hearts vs human hearts.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the status of cardiac xenotransplantation including preclinical models, the DECAF randomized clinical trial on if caffeinated coffee consumption or abstinence reduces atrial fibrillation; the impact of environmental factors on acute aortic dissection; and a multicenter, international, randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial on the effects of intraoperative higher vs lower positive end-expiratory pressure during one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery on postoperative pulmonary complications (PROTHOR).
In addition, Joel explores combined aortic valve and coronary surgery via left anterior minithoracotomy, management of anomalous right coronary artery in a patient with mitral valve prolapse, and redo frozen elephant trunk after endovascular arch repair. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
1.) 2025: Status of Cardiac Xenotransplantation Including Preclinical Models
3.) Weathering the Aorta: The Impact of Environmental Factors on Acute Aortic Dissection
CTSNet Content Mentioned
2.) Management of Anomalous Right Coronary Artery in a Patient With Mitral Valve Prolapse
3.) Redo Frozen Elephant Trunk After Endovascular Arch Repair
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Resident Video Competition
2.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
Tuesday Nov 25, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Evgenij Potapov, a consultant senior surgeon and co-chairman of the mechanical circulatory support program in the Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the German Heart Center in Berlin, about the guidelines on temporary mechanical circulatory support (tCMS) in adult cardiac surgery.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:56 Segmentectomy vs Lobectomy News
18:51 JANS 1, CT Residents Emergency Surgery
20:56 JANS 2, Interventional vs Surgical
22:49 JANS 3, Robotic Vascular Surgery
24:32 JANS 4, Surgery vs Surveillance
26:30 Video 1, Branch-First Arch Replacement
28:19 Video 2, Manougian Technique Double Patch
30:14 Video 3, Bentall Surgery via RAM
31:23 Evgenij Potapov Interview
53:55 Upcoming Events
They discussed the key elements of the guidelines, active unloading, and current trends and outcomes in tMCS. Additionally, they addressed protected cardiac surgery for high-risk patients, cardiac arrest, and the impact of recent changes to the donor heart allocation system on tMCS. Dr. Potapov also shared valuable insights on hints and tips for tMCS, anticoagulation management, and the future of tMCS. Furthermore, Joel elaborated on recent discussions regarding lobectomy vs segmentectomy in a detailed analysis.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a 10-year propensity-matched analysis on if we can safely train cardiothoracic surgical residents to perform emergency surgery, investigating the personality of interventional and surgical cardiovascular specialists, a clinical perspective on robotic-assisted vascular surgery, and a quality-of-life analysis of patients with moderately dilated aortic root or ascending aorta.
In addition, Joel explores branch-first arch replacement, revisiting the Manougian technique with double-patch, and Bentall surgery via right anterior minithoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) Robotic-Assisted Vascular Surgery: A Clinical Perspective
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Branch-First Arch Replacement: How to Do It
2.) Revisiting the Manougian Technique With Double-Patch
3.) Bentall Surgery via Right Anterior Minithoracotomy
Other Items Mentioned
1.) EACTS/STS/AATS Guidelines on Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support in Adult Cardiac Surgery
3.) Resident Video Competition
4.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide
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.