Exploring Innovations in Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery: Insights From Leading Experts

In this interview, Dr. Mario Castillo-Sang, CTSNet Senior Editor—Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and Surgical Director of Mitral Valve and Heart Failure Therapies at St. Elizabeth Healthcare in Edgewood, Kentucky, USA, discusses endoscopic cardiac surgery with Drs. Giacomo Bianchi, Medical Director at Fondazione CNR-Regione Toscana Gabriele Monasterio in Pisa, Italy; Markus Kofler, a cardiac surgeon at Deutsches Herzzentrum der Charité (DHZC) in Berlin, Germany; and Patrick Perier, chairman of the Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club and staff surgeon at the Herz und Gefäss Klinik in Bad Neustadt, Germany. 

Dr. Castillo-Sang begins by recapping highlights from the 2025 Endoscopic Cardiac Surgeons Club annual meeting. He shares clips of Drs. Bianchi and Kofler performing live surgeries and highlights Dr. Perier’s presentation on respect rather than resect. After providing this overview, Dr. Castillo-Sang initiates a discussion about the origin stories of his guests, exploring their backgrounds, training experiences, and opportunities for simulations.  

The conversation then shifts to training residents in the endoscopic approach. Drs. Bianchi and Kofler provide their perspectives on managing stress during live surgeries and share their thoughts on the value of these surgeries. They emphasize the importance of having a second surgeon to narrate and engage with the audience during live surgeries, discussing the benefits this brings to the learning experience.  

Furthermore, the panel discusses the significance of understanding the mitral valve and Dr. Perier offers his insights on resect vs respect. Additionally, the panelists provide advice to medical students interested in pursuing endoscopic cardiac surgery, the critical role of mentorship, and what lies ahead for each of the surgeons in their future careers.   

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