Gender representation trends in cardiothoracic surgery journal editorial boards.

Objective: We aimed to characterize chronologic trends of gender composition of the editorial boards of major cardiothoracic surgery journals in the current era.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was performed of gender representation in editorial board members of 2 North American cardiothoracic surgery journals from 2008 to 2023. Member names and roles were collected from available monthly issues.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm in an adolescent with intraoperative discovery of contained rupture: a case report.

Background: As surgical recommendations in adults based on size criteria of ascending aortic aneurysms become more refined, criteria for childhood/adolescence remains less clear. Multiple pathologic factors may predispose younger patients to thoracic aortic aortopathy and increase the risk of rupture. An evolving field of research is how to identify thoracic aortic dilation earlier in patients, risk stratify, and to obtain objective measures beyond size for proceeding with surgical intervention in order to prevent catastrophic thoracic aortic dissection.

Critical Illness-Related Corticosteroid Insufficiency (CIRCI) After Pediatric Cardiac Surgery.

Although current studies do not support the routine use of corticosteroids after cardiopulmonary bypass in pediatric patients, there is incomplete understanding of the potential hemodynamic contribution of postoperative critical illness-related corticosteroid insufficiency in the intensive care unit. By reviewing the available studies and underlying pathophysiology of these phenomena in critically ill neonates, we can identify a subset of patients that may benefit from optimal diagnosis and treatment of receiving postoperative steroids. A suggested algorithm used at our institution is provided as a guideline for treatment of this high-risk population.

Extremely Long-Term Follow-Up of Dr William Glenn's Original Patient Cohort With Superior Cavopulmonary Anastomosis (1958-1990).

Background: Historically, Dr William Glenn performed the first classic superior cavopulmonary anastomosis in a seven-year-old child at Yale in 1958. By 1990, this operation was performed consecutively in over 90 patients. With over 60 years of follow-up, this is the longest survival record of early Glenn patients from the first 30 years.

Combined Repair of Coarctation of the Aorta and Long-Segment Tracheal Stenosis in a Neonate.

Complete tracheal rings requiring concomitant cardiac and airway repair are typically described in association with pulmonary artery sling. We report a newborn case of coarctation of the aorta and incidental discovery of asymptomatic severe tracheal stenosis at the time of attempted coarctation repair. This case illustrates the importance of a thorough airway evaluation, multidisciplinary coordination of pediatric surgical and anesthesia specialties, and detailed preoperative planning to ensure successful surgical treatment of this rare entity of combined neonatal congenital cardiac and airway disease.

Enhanced congenital cardiac surgery knowledge with multidisciplinary collaborative education series for paediatric cardiology fellows and nurse practitioners.

Introduction: Paediatric cardiologists and nurse practitioners lack structured education tools focused on basic cardiac surgery principles. However, non-surgical specialties caring for surgical patients require this knowledge for comprehensive clinical care. We created a cardiac surgical educational curriculum focused on improving knowledge and attitudes towards communication for non-surgical trainees and advanced practice providers.

Computed Tomographic 3-Dimensional Virtual Dissection Aiding in Diagnosis and Surgical Planning of a Rare Form of Obstructed Supracardiac Total Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Connection With an Unusual Scimitar-Like Arrangement.

We present a case of a newborn with a rare presentation of obstructed supracardiac total anomalous pulmonary venous connection who required emergent cannulation to extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Computed tomographic angiography of the heart was performed and using novel virtual dissection techniques aided in surgical planning and guidance. Computed tomographic angiography can be successfully performed in neonates with complex congenital heart disease on ECMO without adjustment of flows to aid in surgical management and novel virtual dissection techniques aid in complex anatomical delineation and spatial orientation with noncardiac structures.

Pioneers in congenital cardiac surgery: Dr. William Imon Norwood, Jr, MD, PhD.

"Innovation is not only the fountainhead but the life's blood of our specialty, of surgery, of medicine, of business, or of just about anything that is progressing, evolving, and improving. In the absence of innovation there is stagnation and ultimately there is decay. Cardiac surgery, particularly congenital cardiac surgery, must continue to evolve through innovation.

Complete atrioventricular septal defect with absent or diminutive primum component: Incidence, anatomic characteristics, and outcomes.

Background: Repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect with absent or diminutive primum defect is challenging because of atrial septal malposition and abnormal anatomy of the left atrioventricular valve. We sought to define the incidence, anatomy, and surgical outcomes of this entity.

Methods: We identified all patients in our institutional database presenting for complete atrioventricular septal defect repair from 2006 to 2018.

Injectable Shear-Thinning Hydrogels Prevent Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation and Normalize Ventricular Flow Dynamics.

Injectable hydrogels are known to attenuate left-ventricular (LV) remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI), dependent on material mechanical properties. The effect of hydrogel injection on ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) resultant from LV remodeling remains relatively unexplored. This study uses multiple imaging methods to evaluate the efficacy of injectable hydrogels with tunable modulus to prevent post-MI development of IMR.

Diaphragmatic Hernia Perforation Leading to Fecopneumothorax.

Hiatal hernia is a common diagnosis. Unless symptomatic, most hiatal hernias are not repaired; in rare cases, however, severe complications can develop during conservative treatment. Although fecopneumothorax occurrence has been described in trauma and related to colonic pathology, it has not been described as occurring from spontaneous strangulation of a hiatal hernia.

Robotic Resection of Ectopic Parathyroid Glands in the Superior Posterior Mediastinum.

Ectopic parathyroid glands can present in a challenging location in the superior posterior mediastinum. Two patients with primary hyperparathyroidism were operated on for ectopic paraesophageal parathyroid glands in the superior posterior mediastinum. Sestamibi scan, computed tomography (CT) scan, and photon emission CT were used to identify the exact location of these glands.

Computational sensitivity investigation of hydrogel injection characteristics for myocardial support.

Biomaterial injection is a potential new therapy for augmenting ventricular mechanics after myocardial infarction (MI). Recent in vivo studies have demonstrated that hydrogel injections can mitigate the adverse remodeling due to MI. More importantly, the material properties of these injections influence the efficacy of the therapy.