The Beat With Joel Dunning Ep. 170: 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma

This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Jeffrey Velotta, Assistant Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine in San Francisco, California, USA, and a thoracic surgeon at Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center, in Oakland, California, USA, about The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma.

They emphasize the importance of thorough patient selection, specifically highlighting the necessity of surgical biopsy and the role of mediastinal staging, such as endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS). The discussion also covers neoadjuvant and adjuvant therapies, the critical need for surgeon expertise in mesothelioma, and the key elements for successful mesothelioma procedures. Furthermore, they address subjects such as diaphragm, phrenic nerve, pericardium, and isolated recurrences. The conversation also shifts to clinical outcomes, prioritizing survival extension over quality-of-life, and explores the future of mesothelioma treatment. Additionally, throughout the discussion, they also reflect on other research from major trials such as the MARS 2 trial.

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on cardiac surgery uniting for global impact, pericardial fluid cardiac troponin I predicting postoperative atrial fibrillation after coronary artery bypass grafting, whether mitral valve surgery is safe and effective in octogenarians, and an instrumental variable analysis on multiarterial grafting and survival after coronary artery bypass grafting.

In addition, Joel explores a step-by-step guide to transaxillary minimally invasive aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair, and rhythm surgery, insertion of the axillary Impella 5.5, and the first in human experience of robotic-assisted biventricular durable assist device implantation.

Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.

JANS Items Mentioned

1. From Declaration to Delivery: Cardiac Surgery Unites for Global Impact
2. Pericardial Fluid Cardiac Troponin I Predicts Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
3. Pushing the Age Limit: Mitral Valve Surgery Is Safe and Effective in Octogenarians
4. Multiarterial Grafting and Survival After Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting: An Instrumental Variable Analysis

CTSNet Content Mentioned

1. A Step-by-Step Guide to Transaxillary Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Replacement, Mitral Valve Repair, and Rhythm Surgery
2. Insertion of the Axillary Impella 5.5
3. Robotic-Assisted Biventricular Durable Assist Device Implantation: The First In Human Experience 

Other Items Mentioned

1. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons 2026 Expert Consensus on the Multimodal Treatment of Pleural Mesothelioma
2. Career Center
3. CTSNet Events

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