Discussions about the most relevant topics in cardiothoracic surgery from CTSNet, the Cardiothoracic Surgery Network.
Episodes
Thursday May 08, 2025
Thursday May 08, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning celebrates two years of the podcast and speaks with Dr. Joseph F. Sabik III, president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and chair of the Department of Surgery at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, about the future of cardiothoracic surgery.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:16 Dr. Sabik Guest
04:13 AATS 2025
20:26 Extended Sleeve Lobectomy Study
23:55 SQUAT Trial Results
26:28 TAVR vs SAVR in Women
27:49 Transition from Training to Practice
31:39 Totally Endoscopic Triple Valve
33:33 Redo AVR via Ministernotomy
35:18 ECMO Podcast Episode
37:19 Dr. Sabik, Future of CT Surgery
56:06 Upcoming Events
57:47 Closing
They discuss the future of revascularization, advancements in valve procedures, arterial grafting, robotics training, and the importance of work-life balance. They also highlight the training of the next generation of surgeons, simulation-based education, and Dr. Sabik shares insights into the 62nd STS Annual Meeting. Additionally, Joel recaps the American Association for Thoracic Surgery (AATS) Annual Meeting emphasizing notable presentations and key insights from the event.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on extended sleeve lobectomy after neoadjuvant immunochemotherapy for centrally located non-small cell lung cancer, neoadjuvant concurrent chemo-immuno-radiation therapy followed by surgery and adjuvant immunotherapy for resectable Stage III N2 NSCLC, transcatheter vs. surgical aortic valve replacement in women, and a guide for transition from cardiothoracic surgery training to practice.
In addition, Joel explores totally endoscopic triple valve surgery, redo aortic valve replacement through a ministernotomy, and a new podcast episode from Dr. Alice Copperwheat, “The Atrium: ECMO,” with expert guest Dr. Jose Fernandes. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) Transcatheter vs. Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Women: The RHEIA Trial
4.) A Guide for Transition from Cardiothoracic Surgery Training to Practice
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) Totally Endoscopic Triple Valve Surgery: AVR, MVr, TVr
2.) Redo Aortic Valve Replacement Through a Ministernotomy
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Webinar Series: Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery—Advancement Through Collaboration
2.) Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Series: The Swiss Army Knife Approach
3.) Aortic Valve Replacement Series
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 May 01, 2025
Thursday May 01, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Dr. Cristiano Spadaccio, an attending cardiac surgeon and associate professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, USA, about totally tissue-engineered valves for tricuspid replacement.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:48 Tissue-Engineered Valves
05:48 Compensatory Sweating After BETS
10:05 5Y Outcomes TAVR vs SAVR
13:34 ChatGPT CT Surgery Insights
17:24 Retraction Speed Pain RC Trial
21:21 Ross Procedure, All-Native Valve
25:43 Endoscopic Mechanical MVR
28:10 Double Patch Double Valve Exploration
31:42 Dr. Spadaccio, Generative Valves
50:38 Upcoming Events
51:52 Closing
They focus on the CorMatrix Cor TRICUSPID ECM Valve, including the technique for valve implantation, the functionality of the valve and its underlying concept, and the valve’s history, particularly its applications in pediatric patients. The episode features videos and photos showcasing the valve, the implantation procedure, and more. Additionally, they discuss the critical role of identifying the papillary muscle in this surgery and whether an anoplasty ring is necessary. They also explore the current status of the valve and its future prospects.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the long-term outcomes and predictors of compensatory sweating after bilateral endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, five-year outcomes after transcatheter or surgical aortic valve replacement in low-risk patients with aortic stenosis, navigating the future of pediatric cardiovascular surgery using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (ChatGPT), and a randomized controlled trial on retraction speed and chronic poststernotomy pain.
In addition, Joel explores the Ross procedure using the right atrial appendage valve instead of a homograft, totally endoscopic mechanical mitral valve repair, and an exploration on reoperation technique for double patch double valve with Drs. Leonard Lee and Vince Gaudiani. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
4.) Retraction Speed and Chronic Poststernotomy Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
CTSNET Content Mentioned
2.) Totally Endoscopic Mechanical Mitral Valve Repair
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Series: The Swiss Army Knife Approach
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 Apr 29, 2025
Tuesday Apr 29, 2025
In this month’s episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Jose Fernandes from the Department of Clinical Perfusion at Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge, UK, about extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:47 History
04:46 Basics
09:58 Circuit
14:09 Cannulation
22:44 Indications for Use
28:14 VV ECMO
32:18 VA ECMO
36:44 Monitoring
42:31 Complications
47:03 ECMO CPR
49:17 Trainee Tips
50:57 Guest Advice
They discuss cannulation, general indications and contraindications, venovenous (VV) ECMO, venoarterial (VA) ECMO, peripheral VA ECMO, and central VA ECMO. They also explore monitoring, cardiac function monitoring in VA ECMO, complications, ECMO cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and important tips for trainees.
The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Watch for next month’s one-year anniversary episode with a very special guest.
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 Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang, the Surgical Director of Mitral Valve and Heart Failure Therapies at St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Edgewood, Kentucky, USA, about totally endoscopic cardiac surgery.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:17 Minimal Access Bedside Cardiac
04:37 Lung Cancer, Histological Subtype
09:29 TAVR vs SAVR, AS & CAD
12:22 Biopros TVR Outcomes
15:48 Mitral Annular Disjunction, MVR
18:47 Ozaki Technique, AV Reconst
20:46 Redo LVOT Reconst for Endocarditis
22:33 Totally Endoscopic ASD Closure TVR
24:08 Dr. Castillo-Sang, MI Bedside Endoscopy
40:51 Closing
They explore key highlights from Dr. Castillo-Sang’s CTSNet series Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Series: The Swiss Army Knife Approach, his journey in performing endoscopic surgeries, and how he learned the techniques. Dr. Castillo-Sang shares the advantages of endoscopic surgery, as well as tips and recommendations for those wanting to learn this approach. He emphasizes the importance of the instruments he has worked with, detailing how these have improved over time. Additionally, they explore Dr. Castillo-Sang’s involvement with the Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club, discussing how he got involved and providing details about the club’s upcoming annual meeting.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the estimated worldwide variation and trends in incidence of lung cancer by histological subtype in 2022 and over time, transcatheter vs surgical aortic valve replacement in Medicare beneficiaries with aortic stenosis and coronary artery disease, long-term outcomes after bioprosthetic tricuspid valve replacement, and outcomes of patients with mitral annular disjunction undergoing mitral valve repair.
In addition, Joel explores aortic valve reconstruction using the Ozaki technique, redo LVOT reconstruction for endocarditis, and totally endoscopic ASD closure with tricuspid valve repair. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) Long-Term Outcomes After Bioprosthetic Tricuspid Valve Replacement: A Multicenter Study
4.) Outcomes of Patients With Mitral Annular Disjunction Undergoing Mitral Valve Repair
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) Aortic Valve Reconstruction—The Ozaki Technique
2.) Redo LVOT Reconstruction for Endocarditis
3.) Totally Endoscopic ASD Closure With Tricuspid Valve Repair
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Series: The Swiss Army Knife Approach
2.) Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club
4.) Aortic Valve Replacement Series
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 Apr 17, 2025
Thursday Apr 17, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning examines the first-ever transcontinental uniportal thoracic surgery.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:26 100th Episode, Future
03:01 Transcontinental Uniportal Robotics
09:52 Infective Endo in Octogenerians
12:39 Kidney Replacement Therapy, Cardiac Outcomes
15:50 Stenotic Lesions Simulation
18:59 One-Lung Ventilation, Difficult Airway
21:06 Simplified Approach to Bentall Procedure
24:25 Semi-Skeletonized Harvesting ITA
27:06 AVR and AAR in 85 YO
30:30 Swiss Army Knife Approach Series
32:21 AATS 2025
32:38 Closing
He explores the details of this significant case—location, latency, and the procedure performed—while highlighting the importance of this case, the future of robotics, and the surgeons behind this operation, Dr. Diego Gonzalez Rivas and Dr. Mugurel Bosînceanu. He also discusses Dr. Gonzalez Rivas’s new book, Healing the World, and its impact on the field of medicine.
Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on infective endocarditis in octogenarians, national outcomes of cardiac surgery in patients receiving kidney replacement therapy, computational fluid dynamics to simulate stenotic lesions in coronary end-to-side anastomosis, and the management of the expected difficult airway with planned one-lung ventilation.
In addition, Joel explores a simplified approach to the Bentall procedure, semi-skeletonized harvesting of internal thoracic arteries, and aortic valve replacement and ascending aortic replacement in an 85-year-old patient. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
1.) Infective Endocarditis in Octogenarians—A Multicenter Analysis
2.) National Outcomes of Cardiac Surgery in Patients Receiving Kidney Replacement Therapy
3.) Computational Fluid Dynamics to Simulate Stenotic Lesions in Coronary End-to-Side Anastomosis
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) A Simplified Approach to the Bentall Procedure
2.) Semi-Skeletonized Harvesting of Internal Thoracic Arteries
3.) Aortic Valve Replacement and Ascending Aortic Replacement in an 85-Year-Old Patient
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery Series: The Swiss Army Knife Approach
2.) Aortic Valve Replacement Series
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 Apr 10, 2025
Thursday Apr 10, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Professor Robert Sneyd, Vice Chair of Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland, about the charity’s dedication to promoting awareness of aortic dissection.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
03:52 RLAAO Isolated MR Study
09:07 Early Outcomes Reop Aortic Root
11:39 Fallot and Its Variants
16:55 Low-Dose Warfarin, Mech AV
22:02 AVR w LIMA-LAD & AAR
23:40 Pulm Thromboendarterectomy
25:28 Modified Birmingham Technique
27:32 Dr. Sneyd, Aortic Dissection Awareness
31:16 Upcoming Events
32:33 Closing
They discuss Professor Sneyd’s experience with an acute Type A aortic dissection and the lifesaving operation he underwent. Additionally, they explore his involvement with Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland and the charity’s new programs. They also cover the organization’s outreach efforts and the important patient guide available on their website.
Joel also reviews recent JANS articles on mortality and stroke after routine left atrial appendage occlusion in patients undergoing isolated mitral repair without atrial fibrillation in the United States, if early outcomes of reoperative aortic root surgery is impacted by previous root procedures and indicate reintervention, Fallot and its variants from diagnosis to pulmonary valve replacement, and low-dose warfarin with a novel mechanical aortic valve.
In addition, Joel explores aortic valve replacement with LIMA to LAD artery and an ascending aortic replacement, step-by-step pulmonary thromboendarterectomy for chronic thromboembolic disease, and Norwood-Sano Stage I palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
3.) Fallot and Its Variants: From Diagnosis to Pulmonary Valve Replacement
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) Aortic Valve Replacement With LIMA to LAD Artery and an Ascending Aortic Replacement
2.) Step-by-Step Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy for Chronic Thromboembolic Disease
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Aortic Dissection Awareness UK & Ireland Website
2.) Webinar Series: Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery—Advancement Through Collaboration
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 Apr 03, 2025
Thursday Apr 03, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with Dr. Salim Aziz, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon and clinical professor at George Washington University, about computed tomography (CT) scan-negative type A dissection.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
00:57 Dr. Aziz Preview
02:01 Bringing International Colleagues to Centers
07:01 Ambulation Protocol ECMO
09:12 COPD Severity, Aortic Aneurysm
11:37 Robotic Mitral Repair Learning Curve
15:43 Ross Procedure in Neonates, Analysis
19:21 Tirone David Keynote
21:52 AVR 101
23:08 Robotic Beating-Heart TECAB: LIMA-LAD
25:17 Dr. Aziz, CT Scan-Negative Type A Dissection
43:52 Closing
They discuss Dr. Aziz’s experience with cases that present as CT scan-negative, discussing the details of these cases and the concerning frequency with which aortic dissections are overlooked. They also explore routine transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) in the operating room, finding tears, and aortic aneurysms.
Joel also reviews recent JANS articles on the ambulation protocol for adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, if the severity of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is associated with adverse outcomes after open thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, the learning curve of robotic mitral repair, and long-term outcomes following the Ross procedure in neonates and infants.
In addition, Joel explores a 2024 London Core Review Cardiothoracic Surgery Course on “Surgical Treatments of Aortic Root Aneurysms,” aortic valve replacement 101 through an upper ministernotomy, and robotic beating-heart totally endoscopic coronary bypass. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
CTSNET Content Mentioned
2.) Aortic Valve Replacement 101 Through an Upper Ministernotomy
3.) Robotic Beating-Heart Totally Endoscopic Coronary Bypass (TECAB): LIMA to LAD
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Putative Computed Tomography Scan-Negative Type A Dissection
2.) Webinar Series: Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery—Advancement Through Collaboration
3.) President's Series With Husam Balkhy | ISMICS President
4.) London Core Review Registration
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 27, 2025
Thursday Mar 27, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning recaps two presentations delivered at the Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery in Great Britain and Ireland Annual Meeting 2025.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
02:57 "Teamship," Sir Woodward
09:23 Virtual Surgery Training, Dr. Ahmed
12:55 Upcoming Lung Surgery Trials
14:48 Needle Aspiration & Forceps Biopsy
17:26 Approaches to Clinical Trial Designs
22:10 Noninvasive Ventilation Cardiac Impact
24:59 Lung Volume Reduction, Severe Emphysema
29:22 How To—Upper Ministernotomy
30:45 Valve-Sparing ARR Using Reimplant Tech
32:02 ARCA Management Exploration
33:59 Upcoming Events
34:41 WTS Webinar Series
35:32 Closing
The first presentation was delivered by Sir Clive Woodward, the Rugby World Cup-winning coach, who gave an inspiring talk on "Teamship" and winning behaviors. The second presentation that Joel recaps was delivered by Professor Shafi Ahmed, a multiaward-winning surgeon and an evangelist for augmented and virtual reality, who discussed livestreaming operations, using virtual reality in surgical operations, and virtual medical school.
Joel also reviews recent JANS articles on the diagnostic yield and synergistic impact of needle aspiration and forceps biopsy with electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy for peripheral pulmonary lesions, the challenges of conventional and novel approaches to clinical trial designs in cardiovascular medicine, the impact of noninvasive ventilation before and after cardiac surgery for preventing cardiac and pulmonary complications, and surgical and bronchoscopic lung volume reduction for severe emphysema.
In addition, Joel explores how to perform an upper ministernotomy, valve-sparing aortic root replacement using the reimplantation technique, and an exploration of anomalous right coronary artery management with Drs. Sameh Said and Vince Gaudiani. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) How to Perform an Upper Ministernotomy
2.) Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Replacement Using the Reimplantation Technique
3.) Anomalous Right Coronary Artery Management: An Exploration With Sameh Said and Vince Gaudiani
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Webinar Series: Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery—Advancement Through Collaboration
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 Mar 25, 2025
Tuesday Mar 25, 2025
In this month’s episode of The Atrium, host Dr. Alice Copperwheat speaks with Dr. Thomas D'Amico about VATS lobectomy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction
01:47 Background
04:11 Indications
04:51 Preoperative Assessment
07:12 Setup
08:21 Patient Positioning
11:26 Basics
13:36 D'Amico's Port Placement
16:46 Uniportal
22:03 Steps
22:44 Anterior-Posterior Order
25:45 Anatomy
26:45 Instruments
30:54 Pleural Dissection
31:33 Inferior Pulmonary Ligament
31:39 Pulmonary Vein
32:01 Artery/Bronchus Dissection
33:38 Nodal Resection
36:25 Tips & Tricks
38:48 Specimen Removal
39:10 Closure
40:02 Postoperative Care
45:01 Outcomes
45:31 CT Surgery Training Advice
They discuss the set-up, patient positioning, port placement, dissection of hilar structures, tips and tricks, and more. They also discuss preoperative assessment, nodal resection, specimen removal, closure, and outcomes.
The Atrium is a monthly podcast presenting clinical and career-focused topics for residents and early career professionals across all cardiothoracic surgery subspecialties. Watch for next month’s episode on ECMO.
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 20, 2025
Thursday Mar 20, 2025
This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning examines future cardiothoracic surgery robotic systems.
Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:05 SCTS 2025
02:50 Intuitive Single-Port System
10:00 Other Robotics in Development
12:49 Medtronic Innovations
15:53 Tumor Air Spaces Spread
18:21 Virtual Reality Effect on Patients
19:58 MR for Isolated Leaflet Lesion
21:48 Post-Surgery Proning Obese ARS Syndrome
23:31 Robotic Bi Ortho Lung Transplant
25:51 Video Competition 2nd and 3rd Place
26:59 Repair of Bileaflet MV Prolapse
27:46 Robotic ASD Closure via LA
28:46 Upcoming Events
29:42 Women in Thoracic Surgery Webinar
30:46 Closing
He discusses the new da Vinci Single-Port surgical system, single-port robotic systems, and the cost difference between single-port and multiport robotic systems. He also examines DV5 technology, the potential of utilizing lasers in robotics, and other practices that are interested in robotic systems.
Joel also reviews recent JANS articles addressing whether tumors spread through air spaces is a determinant for treatment of clinical stage I non-small cell lung cancer, the effect of virtual reality on postoperative anxiety and pain in patients following cardiac surgery, long-term results of edge-to-edge and neochordal mitral repair for isolated anterior leaflet lesions, the prone position in obese patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome after cardiothoracic surgery.
In addition, Joel explores minimally invasive bilateral orthotopic lung transplant with robotic assistance, repair of bileaflet mitral valve prolapse through an upper ministernotomy, and robotic-assisted atrial septal defect closure via the left atrium. Before closing, he highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.
JANS Items Mentioned
CTSNET Content Mentioned
1.) Minimally Invasive Bilateral Orthotopic Lung Transplant With Robotic Assistance
2.) Repair of Bileaflet Mitral Valve Prolapse Through an Upper Ministernotomy
3.) Robotic-Assisted Atrial Septal Defect Closure Via the Left Atrium: Dual Case Reports
Other Items Mentioned
1.) Webinar Series: Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery—Advancement Through Collaboration
2.) 2024 CTSNet Resident Video Competition Winners
3.) President's Series With Husam Balkhy | ISMICS President
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.