Discussions about the most relevant topics in cardiothoracic surgery from CTSNet, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network.
Episodes
30 minutes ago
30 minutes ago
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Shanda Blackmon, a thoracic surgeon and Professor of Surgery, as well as the Director of the Lung Institute at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA, about an article from The New York Times in which she was featured, titled “Female CT Surgeons, Unlocking the Male Fortress.”
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:35 JANS 1, Fractured Sternal Wires Post-Surgery
05:21 JANS 2, ERAS Protocols in Spain, Consensus Study
07:00 JANS 3, Preserving Native MVs in VSD & MR Patients
09:53 JANS 4, Sternal Closure After Norwood
12:15 Video 1, LIMA Harvest, Robotic Harmonic Scalpel
13:55 Video 2, Butterfly Resection for MV Leaflets
15:26 Video 3, Bidirectional Glenn via Axill Thorac
17:18 Dr. Blackmon, Women in CT Surgery
33:17 Upcoming Events
35:13 Closing
They discussed her experience working with The New York Times and the goal of the article. Key highlights included the pay disparity, with women cardiothoracic surgeons receiving lower pay than their male counterparts, as evidenced by the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) compensation survey. Additionally, they addressed the rewarding aspects of cardiothoracic surgery, the challenges surgeons face, and the initiatives that women cardiothoracic surgeons are starting to tackle, such as the pay equity and leadership opportunities.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a cross-sectional study examining wire configurations, sternal locations, and breakage sites for fractured sternal wires post-coronary surgery, a Delphi consensus study on the standardized recommendations for the implementation of enhanced recovery protocols in thoracic surgery in Spain, surgical strategy for preserving native mitral valves in infants with ventricular septal defects and mitral regurgitation, and routine primary sternal closure after the Norwood procedure.
In addition, Joel explores robotic-assisted left internal mammary harvest with the robotic harmonic scalpel, butterfly resection for prolapsed posterior mitral valve leaflets, and minimally invasive bidirectional Glenn via vertical right axillary thoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
4.) Routine Primary Sternal Closure After the Norwood Procedure
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Robotic-Assisted Left Internal Mammary Harvest With the Robotic Harmonic Scalpel
2.) Butterfly Resection for Prolapsed Posterior Mitral Valve Leaflets
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Female Cardiothoracic Surgeons, Unlocking the Male Fortress
2.) 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.
2 days ago
2 days ago
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 Drs. Rakesh Arora, Director of Perioperative and Cardiac Critical Care and Research Director in the Division of Cardiac Surgery at University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and Rawn Salenger, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center, about preoperative optimization of cardiac patients.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:27 Vulnerable Patients, Identifying Risk
04:24 Assessing Patients, Biological Prep
09:57 Psychological & Cognitive Prep
12:09 Time Between Discharge & Follow-Up
15:40 Anemic Patients, Iron Studies
20:12 Nutrition Screening & Malnutrition
25:30 Future Optimization Topics
They discussed the importance of identifying risks, conducting thorough assessments before the operation, and preoperative education. They also emphasized psychological and cognitive preparation, as well as the time frame between discharge and follow-up. Additionally, they addressed issues related to iron deficiency without anemia, anemic patients, and iron studies. Furthermore, they highlighted the importance of nutrition screening and addressing malnutrition as essential aspects of preoperative care.
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.
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
Thursday Mar 12, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. John Forrest, a cardiologist and Director of both Interventional Cardiology and the Structural Heart Disease Program at Yale Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA, about a paper he authored titled “Six-Year Outcomes After Transcatheter vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis,” published by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:38 TAVR vs SAVR Context
03:54 CDC WONDER Data, TAVR SAVR
05:37 JANS 1, TAVR vs SAVR 5-Year Outcomes
07:31 JANS 2, Temporary MCS Devices Landscape
09:17 JANS 3, Pulm Resection Post-CABG
10:23 JANS 4, PRE-HIIT Randomized Trial
12:36 Career Center
13:10 Video 1, Redo MVR After VIV TAVR
15:37 Video 2, Repair After Acute Intramural Hematoma
18:01 Video 3, Acute Severe MR Repair
19:36 Dr. Forrest, 6-Year TAVR vs SAVR
44:49 Upcoming Events
45:33 The Lifeline Podcast
They explored other randomized trials involving high-risk and intermediate-risk patients with aortic stenosis and examined the specific goals of this low-risk trial. The discussion then delved into the trial’s results, highlighting that there was no significant difference in the composite endpoint of all-cause mortality or disabling stroke. However, a noteworthy finding was that the transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) arm experienced a higher reintervention rate compared to surgery, primarily due to an increased incidence of aortic regurgitation. They also addressed factors such as valve dilation, stents, and various reasons for surgical valve failure. Additionally, they examined the similarities between this trial and other partner trials and the future for low-risk patients with aortic stenosis.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the updated five-year outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in patients with severe aortic stenosis at low- to intermediate-surgical risk, a United States nationwide analysis on the changing landscape of temporary mechanical circulatory support devices in the new heart allocation system, pulmonary resection post-coronary artery bypass grafting, and a randomized controlled trial on the preoperative exercise to improve fitness in patients undergoing complex surgery for cancer of the lung or esophagus (PRE-HIIT).
In addition, Joel explores redo mitral valve replacement after previous valve-in-valve mitral TAVR, aortic repair after acute intramural hematoma, and repair of acute severe mitral regurgitation due to iatrogenic papillary muscle rupture. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Redo Mitral Valve Replacement After Previous Valve-in-Valve Mitral TAVR
2.) Aortic Repair After Acute Intramural Hematoma
3.) Repair of Acute Severe Mitral Regurgitation Due to Iatrogenic Papillary Muscle Rupture
Other Items Mentioned
2.) The Lifeline: End-Tidal Carbon Dioxide Monitoring in Cardiac Surgical Emergencies
3.) 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 Mar 05, 2026
Thursday Mar 05, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Drs. Mateo Marin-Cuartas, CTSNet JANS Editor and cardiac surgeon at the University Department of Cardiac Surgery at Leipzig Heart Centre University Hospital in Leipzig, SN, Germany; and Samuel Heuts, a cardiothoracic surgeon in the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Maastricht University Medical Center in Maastricht, LI, about a paper they authored titled “Updated 5-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis at Low- to Intermediate-Surgical Risk,” published in Heart, a journal produced by the British Medical Journal.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:51 JANS 1, 6-Year Outcomes TAVR vs SAVR
06:45 JANS 2, Evolut THV Postdilation
09:22 Video 2, TAVI in SAVR Explantation
11:10 JANS 3, High Risk Increasing Adoption of DCD
13:17 JANS 4, Lobar Quantitation for Assessment
15:16 Video 1, Narayana Robotic AVR
17:23 Video 3, Extended Resections Podcast
18:30 Dr. Marin-Cuartas & Heuts, TAVR vs SAVR
36:42 Upcoming Events
37:32 Instructional Video Competition
38:55 Career Center
They discussed the motivations behind the creation of this paper and provided insights into its Bayesian hierarchical design. Key findings included the five-year all-cause mortality rates and the risk of stroke associated with the procedures. They also referenced other studies with similar findings, such as a recently published paper from the Journal of the American College of Cardiology on the “Six-Year Outcomes After Transcatheter vs Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Low-Risk Patients With Aortic Stenosis.” Finally, they explored the future of transcatheter aortic valve implantation and surgical aortic valve replacement.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the six-year outcomes after transcatheter vs surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients with aortic stenosis, postdilation of Evolut transcatheter heart valves, insights into current practices in the United States regarding increasing adoption of donation after circulatory death in high-risk heart transplant recipients, and the value of V/Q SPECT/CT lobar quantitation for pre-treatment assessment of lung malignancy.
In addition, Joel explores robotic-assisted aortic valve replacement, TAVI in SAVR explantation, and an episode of The Atrium podcast featuring host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaking with Dr. Maninder Kalkat about extended resections. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
2.) Postdilation of Evolut Transcatheter Heart Valves: Insights From Bench Testing
4.) The Value of V/Q SPECT/CT Lobar Quantitation for Pre-Treatment Assessment of Lung Malignancy
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Robotic-Assisted Aortic Valve Replacement
2.) TAVI in SAVR Explantation: A Two-Step Technique for Successful Removal
3.) The Atrium: Extended Resections
Other Items Mentioned
3.) 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.
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
Wednesday Mar 04, 2026
In this first edition of the new 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 Barbara McLean, a Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, GA, USA. They discuss end-tidal carbon dioxide (EtCO2) monitoring in cardiac surgical emergencies.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:30 End-Tidal CO2 Monitoring Overview
09:16 Case 1
13:52 Case 2
19:57 Outlier Cases
21:01 Global Application
Mclean began by providing an overview of EtCO2, including bedside interpretation, values for rapid non-invasive cardiopulmonary evaluation during acute decompensation, critical values that warrant intervention, and how to differentiate ventilation and perfusion abnormalities, metabolic acidosis, hypoventilation, hyperventilation, and arterial CO2. They then discuss various case studies outlining postoperative outcomes and the symptoms patients were experiencing emphasizing this important monitoring modality to aid in accurate and timely clinical assessment during complex emergencies.
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.
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
Thursday Feb 26, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Niv Ad, Editor-in-Chief of the journal Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery and professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, about the journal.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:04 JANS 1, Adverse Effects Statin Therapy
06:21 JANS 2, Mortality & Reintervention, Robotic MR
09:15 JANS 3, Balloon vs Self Expanding Transcath Valves
11:41 JANS 4, Transcath Aortic Valve in MV Replacement
13:54 Career Center
14:33 Video 1, Endo Cone Repair w Ebstein Anomaly
16:26 Video 2, Retrograde Cardioplegia Cath Placement
17:19 Video 3, Standardized Strategy, Rheumatic MV Disease
20:31 Dr. Ad, Innovations Journal
31:05 Upcoming Events
31:38 New Podcast, The Lifeline
32:15 Closing
They discussed the main topics and procedures covered by Innovations, highlighting its double-blind peer-review process and the special feature section. Additionally, they provided tips for those interested in submitting to the journal.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a meta-analysis of double-blind randomized controlled trials for the assessment of adverse effects attributed to statin therapy in product labels, mortality and reintervention after robotic mitral repair in the United States, the three-year results of the LYTEN trial on balloon- vs self-expanding transcatheter valves for failed small surgical aortic, and the first-in-human study on transcatheter aortic valve-in-mechanical valve replacement.
In addition, Joel explores an endoscopic cone repair in an adult patient with Ebstein anomaly, an alternative cannulation site for the placement of a retrograde cardioplegia catheter, and a standardized surgical management strategy for rheumatic mitral valve disease. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
2.) Mortality and Reintervention After Robotic Mitral Repair in the United States
4.) Transcatheter Aortic Valve-in-Mechanical Valve Replacement: A First-in-Human Study
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic Cone Repair in an Adult Patient With Ebstein Anomaly
2.) Placement of a Retrograde Cardioplegia Catheter: An Alternative Cannulation Site
3.) Standardized Surgical Management Strategy for Rheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Innovations: Technology and Techniques in Cardiothoracic and Vascular Surgery
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 Feb 24, 2026
Tuesday Feb 24, 2026
In this episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Maninder Kalkat, a consultant cardiothoracic surgeon in the Regional Department of Thoracic Surgery at University Hospital Birmingham, about extended resections.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:07 Inspiration & Areas of Interest
03:23 Definition & Classification
09:28 History
10:16 Preop Considerations
19:07 Operating Team Plan
22:23 Fitness for Surgery
23:55 Airway Resections
31:33 Chest Wall Resections
36:17 Reconstructive Material
38:43 Vascular Resections
43:53 Postoperative Care
47:59 Future of Extended Resections
50:15 Summary
50:48 Surgery Training Tips
They provided an overview of extended resections, including the definition, indications, and examples, as well as the history of extended resections. They also discussed preoperative considerations and examined airway resections, detailing what it is, indications, and the technical principles of the operation. Additionally, they explored chest wall resections, including the definition, indications, and technical principles. Drs. Copperwheat and Kalkat also examined vascular resections, highlighting what they are, indications, and the technical aspects involved. They also reviewed postoperative considerations, complications, and outcomes. Finally, they shared training tips, future directions, and key principles in extended resections.
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.
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
Thursday Feb 19, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Puja Khaitan, thoracic consultant at Sheikh Shakhbout Medical City, Abu Dhabi, UAE, and Founder and Congress Chair of the Emirates International Thoracic Surgery Congress, about thoracic surgery in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:35 JANS 1, Therapy & Risk in Idiopathic Pulm Fibrosis
04:18 JANS 2, Sex-Related Treatment Effects
06:03 JANS 3, Endoscopic vs Open RAH in CABG
08:14 JANS 4, Textbook Outcome in MV Surgery
11:16 Career Center
12:08 Video 1, AMDS to FET Conversion
13:13 Video 2, Constrictive Pericarditis & Pericardiectomy
14:42 Video 3, Right Axillary Thoracotomy
16:17 Dr. Khaitan, Thoracic Surgery in the UAE
23:46 Upcoming Events
24:46 Instructional Video Competition
They discussed her professional background and training, as well as the differences in cases between the UAE and United States. They also delved into research in the UAE, the state of thoracic hospitals, general surgical residency programs, and the future of fellowships in the country.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a large retrospective propensity-weighted cohort study on antifibrotic therapy and lung cancer risk in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, sample size considerations to assess sex-related treatment effects, endoscopic or open radial artery harvest in coronary artery bypass surgery, and results from the Netherlands Heart Registration on mitral valve surgery.
In addition, Joel explores a safe and reproducible redo aortic surgery approach on AMDS to frozen elephant trunk conversion, an approach to constrictive pericarditis and pericardiectomy from diagnosis to definitive surgical, and right axillary thoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
2.) Sample Size Considerations to Assess Sex-Related Treatment Effects
3.) Endoscopic or Open Radial Artery Harvest in Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
4.) Textbook Outcome in Mitral Valve Surgery—Results from the Netherlands Heart Registration
CTSNet Content Mentioned
1.) AMDS to Frozen Elephant Trunk Conversion: A Safe and Reproducible Redo Aortic Surgery Approach
3.) Right Axillary Thoracotomy: A Minimally Invasive Gateway to Multiple Defects
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Emirates International Thoracic Surgery Congress
2.) 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.
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
Wednesday Feb 18, 2026
In this episode of The Cardiac Recovery Room, moderator Dr. Daniel Engelman, Medical Director of the Cardiac Surgical Critical Care & Inpatient Services at Baystate Health, Professor of Surgery at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School—Baystate, and President of the ERAS Cardiac Society; and co-moderator Dr. Kevin Lobdell, Professor and Director of Regional Cardiovascular and Thoracic Quality, Education, and Research at Atrium Health spoke with Dr. Rawn Salenger, Chief of Cardiac Surgery at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and Dr. Serdar Gunaydin, Head of Department at the University of Health Sciences in Turkey, about patient blood management.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:14 Transfusion as a Risk Factor
07:08 Hemoglobin Drugs
08:24 Pillars of Blood Management
09:56 Anesthesia
12:30 Transfusion Triggers
17:33 O2 Delivery, Hemoglobin Number
22:20 Non-Transfusion Patients
23:22 Anemic Level Bottom Number
25:06 Bleeding Checklist
29:41 Anemia Tolerance
They discussed independent risk factors for blood transfusion, the role of hemoglobin as a predictor for blood transfusion, and considerations related to anemic patients and hemoglobin levels. Additionally, they explored the key pillars of blood management, treating preoperative anemia, and anesthesia. They examined transfusion triggers, oxygen delivery, and the care of non-transfusion patients. Finally, they emphasized the importance of a bleeding checklist and anemia tolerance.
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.
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
Thursday Feb 12, 2026
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Hani Shennib, a Clinical Professor of Vascular and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA, about catheters as a language.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:48 UK Thoracic Forum
06:11 JANS 1, Detecting AF Using Watch
07:44 JANS 2, End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler
09:24 JANS 3, Improving Patient Selection NSCLC
12:05 JANS 4, 5-Year Women Outcomes TAVR vs SAVR
13:30 Video 1, MVR Tips & Tricks
14:43 Video 2, Ruptured SVA w Hemi-Yacoub Remodeling
16:32 Video 3, Modified Inclusion, Autograft in a Vest
18:04 Dr. Shennib, Catheters as a Language
48:25 Upcoming Events
48:52 Career Center
They explore the importance of making catheters a language by learning, speaking, and practicing it daily. They also discuss how cardiac surgeons have lost the role of “gatekeepers,” with cardiologists now controlling more of the decision-making process. Dr. Shennib emphasizes the need for surgeons to be involved in decision-making from diagnosis to treatment and highlights the significance of patient-centered decision-making and the human aspect of these choices. They also compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), examining which procedure is more appropriate in different circumstances. Furthermore, they explore the reasons behind the shrinking cardiac specialty and discuss how to save it. Finally, they discuss the future of cardiac surgery.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a randomized controlled trial on the enhanced detection and prompt diagnosis of atrial fibrillation using an Apple watch, the results of a human cadaver study on a novel aortic end-to-end anastomotic stapler device, improving patient selection for minimally invasive lobectomy or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy based on clinical characteristics, and a systematic review and meta-analysis on the five-year outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in women.
In addition, Joel explores tips and tricks for mitral valve repair from a Brussels experience, treatment of ruptured sinus valsalva aneurysm with hemi-Yacoub remodeling technique, and a Ross procedure with modified inclusion technique. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
2.) A Novel Aortic End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler Device—Results of a Human Cadaver Study
CTSNet Content Mentioned
2.) Treatment of Ruptured Sinus Valsalva Aneurysm With Hemi-Yacoub Remodeling Technique
3.) Ross Procedure With Modified Inclusion Technique: An Autograft in a Vest
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.