Cardiac Surgery

Cardiothoracic surgery includes coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), heart valve repair or replacement, left ventricular assist device (LVAD) placement, heart transplant, assisting in minimally invasive transcatheter valve structural heart procedures such as TAVR, left atrial appendage (LAA) occlusion, septal myectomy, surgical ablation for arrhythmias, and reconstruction of the heart in congenial heart disease cases. 

When PPE is not enough: Improved shielding during EVAR linked to ‘dramatic reduction’ in radiation exposure

“Improving ancillary shielding barriers is paramount,” according to the authors of a brand new analysis. 

May 10, 2022
David Bennett

How did the pig heart transplant patient die? A preventable infection may be to blame

The genetically modified pig heart appears to have been infected with a porcine virus, according to the surgeon who performed the initial transplant. 

May 6, 2022
Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) is not associated with a significant reduction in the risk of dementia, according to a new analysis published in the European Journal of Vascular & Endovascular Surgery.[1] However, the study’s authors noted, it did still lead to considerable improvements in stroke risk.

Carotid endarterectomy does not reduce long-term dementia risk

However, researchers noted, there was still a clear improvement in stroke risk.

May 4, 2022
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is alerting healthcare providers to the possibility that patients who have a Medtronic Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) System and present with pump thrombosis may have a welding defect in the internal pump, causing it to malfunction. Medtronic and the FDA issues the notice to providers April 28, 2022.

Internal pump malfunction in the Medtronic HVAD found in three patients

The FDA and Medtronic warn some Heartware Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) systems have a defect that may cause pump thrombosis.

April 29, 2022
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How to improve shared decision-making among vascular surgeons and their patients

Researchers introduced decision support tools to 13 different hospitals, tracking the overall impact on shared-decision making and patient knowledge. 

April 27, 2022
Tiny fragments of plastic are commonly found deep inside the human body. Heart surgery, it seems, is one of many ways these microplastics are reaching their destination.  Surgeons Operating On Patient

COVID-19 vaccines improve outcomes for heart transplant patients

“In light of more infectious COVID-19 variants and ongoing high rates of transmission, COVID-19 vaccination for all orthotopic heart transplant recipients is of paramount importance,” the authors concluded.

April 27, 2022
Young patient with mask

Researchers awarded $1.4M to study heart transplants in children

The American Heart Association and Enduring Hearts awarded the grants to two research teams studying ways to improve heart transplant outcomes in children.

April 26, 2022
Machinist Patrick Leibich of Penn State College of Medicine’s division of Applied Biomedical Engineering works to create artificial heart parts. Image courtesy of Penn State.

Penn State researchers receive more than $3 million to develop new-look artificial heart

The group will be working to develop a wireless artificial heart that can last at least 10 years. 

April 25, 2022

Around the web

Eleven medical societies have signed on to a consensus statement aimed at standardizing imaging for suspected cardiovascular infections.

Kate Hanneman, MD, explains why many vendors and hospitals want to lower radiology's impact on the environment. "Taking steps to reduce the carbon footprint in healthcare isn’t just an opportunity," she said. "It’s also a responsibility."

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