Report of the 2022 Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Practice Survey.

Background: The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Workforce on Congenital Surgery performed a practice survey to analyze contemporary data.

Methods: An electronic survey was sent to congenital heart surgeons in North America. Details on demographics, training paradigm, clinical practice, and work satisfaction were queried, tabulated, and analyzed.

2020 Women in Thoracic Surgery Update on the Status of Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery.

Background: Women in Thoracic Surgery (WTS) has previously reported on the status of women in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. We sought to provide a 10-year update on women in CT surgery.

Methods: An anonymous research electronic data capture survey link was emailed to female diplomats of the American Board of Thoracic Surgery.

Hemoadsorption to Reduce Plasma-Free Hemoglobin During Cardiac Surgery: Results of REFRESH I Pilot Study.

Generation of plasma-free hemoglobin (pfHb) and activated complement during complex cardiac surgery contributes to end-organ dysfunction. This prospective, multicenter REFRESH I (REduction in FREe Hemoglobin) randomized controlled trial evaluated the safety and feasibility of CytoSorb hemoadsorption therapy to reduce these factors during prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Eligible patients underwent elective, nonemergent complex cardiac surgery with expected CPB duration ≥3 hours.

Effect of Gastrointestinal Malformations on the Outcomes of Patients With Congenital Heart Disease.

Background: The goal of this study was to assess the effect of associated gastrointestinal malformations (GI) on the outcomes of patients undergoing congenital heart operations.

Methods: Neonates and infants with thoracic (esophageal atresia, tracheoesophageal fistula) and abdominal (duodenal stenosis/atresia, imperforate anus, Hirschsprung disease) GI malformations undergoing congenital heart operations between 1995 and 2015 were included. Two control groups were created, one for each group.

Mid-Term Outcomes in Patients with Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: A Single Center Experience.

Background: Optimal management of patients with congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries (ccTGA) is unclear. The goal of this study was to compare the outcomes in patients with ccTGA undergoing different management strategies.

Study Design: Patients with ccTGA believed suitable for biventricular circulation, treated between 1995 and 2016, were included.

The ACGME Fellowship in Congenital Cardiac Surgery: The Graduates' Perspective.

The creation of structured fellowship programs in congenital heart surgery (CHS) in the United States appears to have improved the training of congenital heart surgeons. However, the transition process between fellowship and clinical practice and the lack of senior mentorship continue to be major problems. We report the results of a survey of all graduates of accredited programs in CHS.

The Role of Echocardiography and Intracardiac Exploration in the Evaluation of Candidacy for Biventricular Repair in Patients With Borderline Left Heart Structures.

Background: Predictors for single ventricle palliation (SVP) or successful biventricular repair (BVR) in patients with borderline left-side heart structures are not well defined. The goal was to evaluate the role of echocardiography and intracardiac exploration in determining feasibility of BVR.

Methods: All neonates surgically treated from 1995 to 2015 with mitral valve (MV), aortic valve, or left ventricle end-diastolic dimension z score of -2 or less for whom management was controversial were included.

Thromboelastography--does it impact blood component transfusion in pediatric heart surgery?

Background: The administration of blood products during pediatric cardiac surgery is common. We sought to determine if thromboelastography (TEG) is a cost-effective tool to reduce blood product transfusion in open pediatric cardiac surgery.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective case-control study was undertaken for 150 pediatric cardiac patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass from January 2010-May 2012, in a University-affiliated pediatric hospital.

Congenital heart operations performed in the first year of life: does geographic variation exist?

Background: Geographic variations associated with surgical intervention for congenital heart disease are ill defined. This study uses a large clinical registry to assess frequency of surgical intervention for various infant congenital heart diseases overall and across US geographic regions.

Methods: Patients younger than 1 year of age in the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database (January 2010 through June 2012) were included.