Outcomes of minimally invasive isolated tricuspid valve repair and replacement through right mini-thoracotomy.

Objective: Isolated tricuspid valve surgery is uncommon and associated with high perioperative morbidity and mortality. We aimed to study the overall outcomes of patients who underwent minimally invasive right thoracotomy tricuspid valve surgery (Mini-TVS), consisting of either tricuspid valve repair (TVre) or replacement (TVR).

Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of all Mini-TVS procedures (2017-2022), through which we identified isolated tricuspid valve surgeries.

Authorship Trends and Disparities in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: Previous investigations have revealed significant gender disparities in the academic arenas of cardiothoracic surgery. However, the status of gender representation in cardiothoracic publications has not been well described. This study aimed to evaluate authorship trends by gender in two high-impact cardiothoracic surgical journals.

Demographics of Current and Aspiring Integrated Six-year Cardiothoracic Surgery Trainees.

Background: The integrated 6-year thoracic surgery (I-6) residency model was developed in part to promote early interest in cardiothoracic surgery in diverse trainees. To determine gaps in and opportunities for recruitment of women and minority groups in the pipeline for I-6 residency, we quantified rates of progression at each training level and trends over time.

Methods: We obtained 2015 to 2019 medical student, I-6 applicant, and I-6 resident gender and race/ethnicity demographic data from the American Association of Medical Colleges and Electronic Residency Application Service public databases and Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education Data Resource Books.

Endovascular therapy for patients with heritable thoracic aortic disease.

Background: Patients with genetic or heritable aortic conditions and thoracic aortic aneurysm syndrome often develop cardiovascular abnormalities originating at the aortic root and affecting the entire thoracoabdominal aorta. Although thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is usually avoided in these patients, TEVAR may be worthwhile for those at high risk for surgical complications and in certain emergency circumstances. We explored indications for TEVAR in patients with suspected or confirmed genetic or heritable aortic conditions and investigated early and mid-term outcomes.

Outcomes of cardiac surgical procedures performed by trainees versus consultants: A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Objectives: Cardiac surgery is highly demanding and the ideal teaching method to reach competency is widely debated. Some studies have shown that surgical trainees can safely perform full operations with equivocal outcomes compared with their consultant colleagues while under supervision. We aimed to compare outcomes after cardiac surgery with supervised trainee involvement versus consultant-led procedures.

Demographic Landscape of Cardiothoracic Surgeons and Residents at United States Training Programs.

Background: Recruiting and promoting women and racial/ethnic minorities could help enhance diversity and inclusion in the academic cardiothoracic (CT) surgery workforce. However, the demographics of trainees and faculty at US training programs have not yet been studied.

Methods: Traditional, integrated (I-6), and fast-track (4+3) programs listed in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) public database were analyzed.

Impact of Psychiatric Comorbidities on Surgical Outcomes for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Background: Psychiatric comorbidities (PCs) have been associated with poor surgical outcomes in several malignancies. However, the impact of PCs on surgical outcomes for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains largely unknown.

Methods: NSCLC patients who underwent pulmonary resection at a single institution between 2006 and 2017 were included.

Sex, Racial, and Ethnic Disparities in U.S. Cardiovascular Trials in More Than 230,000 Patients.

Background: The current representation of female patients and racial and ethnic minorities in cardiovascular trials is unclear. We evaluated these groups' inclusion in U.S.

Aortic valve replacement using stented or sutureless/rapid deployment prosthesis via either full-sternotomy or a minimally invasive approach: a network meta-analysis.

Background: New technologies such as sutureless or rapid deployment prosthetic valves and access via minimally invasive incisions offer alternatives to traditional full-sternotomy aortic valve replacement (SAVR). However, a comprehensive comparison of these surgical techniques along with alternative valve prosthesis has not been completed.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for studies comparing outcomes for SAVR, minimally invasive AVR (MiAVR), sutureless/rapid-deployment AVR (SuAVR) via full-sternotomy, or minimally invasive SuAVR (MiSuAVR) from their inception until September 2018.

Brachiocephalic vein aneurysm: a systematic review of the literature.

Brachiocephalic vein aneurysms are rare lesions with only 36 cases reported in the literature. They usually present incidentally as mediastinal widening on chest X-ray, with thromboembolism or mass effect on adjacent structures, or rupture. Imaging is usually sufficient to identify and characterize the aneurysm, however, certain diagnostic pitfalls can lead to misinterpretation and misdiagnosis.

Representation of Women in the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association: Evidence for Positive Change.

Background: Despite increases in female representation within the cardiothoracic surgical workforce and societal memberships, our previous work has demonstrated that at the national level, women's roles have remained stagnant among conference presentations and leadership opportunities. In this study, we sought to identify whether similar findings exist at the regional level, specifically within the Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA).

Methods: STSA Annual Meeting Program Books from 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2018 were reviewed for women's representation among oral abstract authors, invited speakers, moderators, STSA leadership, and award recipients.

Neurologic complications after the frozen elephant trunk procedure: A meta-analysis of more than 3000 patients.

Objective: The frozen elephant trunk technique's safety regarding spinal cord ischemia has been questioned. We used a meta-analysis to determine the rates of adverse neurologic events and mortality.

Methods: We searched PubMed/Medline, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases (inception to April 2018) to identify studies of neurologic events after the frozen elephant trunk procedure.

Representation of Women in The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Authorship and Leadership Positions.

Background: Recent years have shown a promising increase in women constituting the cardiothoracic (CT) surgery workforce and training positions. It remains unclear whether such change has been accompanied by parallel increases in academic achievement.

Methods: Online archives from The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) 2015 and 2018 Annual Meetings were reviewed for female representation among oral abstract authors, nominated STS leadership positions, and The Annals of Thoracic Surgery (ATS) Editorial Board.

The Importance of a Diverse Specialty: Introducing the STS Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion.

Despite an ever-diversifying United States population, women and underrepresented minorities lack proportionate membership in the cardiothoracic surgery workforce. Many Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) members view achieving a diverse cardiothoracic surgery workforce as important. To address the needs of our specialty to better reflect and understand (cultural competence) our evolving communities, the STS created the Workforce on Diversity and Inclusion.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement for Alkaptonuria-Associated Aortic Stenosis.

Alkaptonuria, a rare disorder of homogentisic acid metabolism, can lead to aortic valvular calcification and stenosis. This report describes the case of a 71-year-old woman with alkaptonuria-associated aortic stenosis in whom minimally invasive surgical aortic valve replacement was attempted but abandoned because of extensive aortic root calcification. She subsequently underwent transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement with an Edwards SAPIEN 3 valve (Edwards Lifesciences, Irvine, CA).

Acute type I aortic dissection with or without antegrade stent delivery: Mid-term outcomes.

Objective: We determined the effect of antegrade stent delivery in the descending thoracic aorta on short- and mid-term clinical and imaging outcomes for patients who underwent repair of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection.

Methods: Outcomes were evaluated for 178 patients who underwent acute type I aortic dissection between 2005 and 2016 (standard repair, n = 115 [64.6%]; antegrade stent delivery, n = 63 [35.