Mechanical assist devices for acute cardiogenic shock.

Background: Cardiogenic shock (CS) is a state of critical end-organ hypoperfusion due to a primary cardiac disorder. For people with refractory CS despite maximal vasopressors, inotropic support and intra-aortic balloon pump, mortality approaches 100%. Mechanical assist devices provide mechanical circulatory support (MCS) which has the ability to maintain vital organ perfusion, to unload the failing ventricle thus reduce intracardiac filling pressures which reduces pulmonary congestion, myocardial wall stress and myocardial oxygen consumption.

Trainee Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network: Early Experience With TweetChat-Based Journal Clubs.

Background: Virtual journal clubs on Twitter (TweetChats) provide a platform to globally discuss publications. The Thoracic Surgery Social Media Network (TSSMN) is an organization that focuses on bringing social media attention to key publications in cardiothoracic surgery. TSSMN recently formed a Trainee Group with the goal of conducting chats covering key topics in cardiothoracic surgical training.

Social media as a tool to rewrite the narrative for women in cardiothoracic surgery.

To deliver the best possible care, the global surgical workforce should mirror the diverse society it is entrusted to serve. Cardiothoracic surgery remains amongst the most under-represented of the surgical specialties for women. Herein, we describe the role of social media in the cardiothoracic surgery community and its potential to rewrite the narrative for women in cardiothoracic surgery.

Diverticulum of the mitral valve, a rare cause of mitral regurgitation.

Non-infective mitral valve diverticulum is extremely rare. We present a case of intraoperatively diagnosed mitral valve diverticulum of a 69-year-old man presenting with mitral regurgitation who was successfully treated with mitral valve replacement.