Journal and News Scan

This study analyzed 3,394 pediatric congenital heart disease (CHD) patients listed for heart transplant from 2014 to 2023. Of these, 16.5 percent received ventricular assist device (VAD) support while waitlisted. Waitlist mortality was higher in the VAD group (25.7 percent vs 16.2 percent). Among 2,248 transplanted patients, VAD-supported cases showed similar post-transplant events and five-year survival compared to non-VAD patients. VAD use increased from 20 to 73 cases annually. It was concluded that pediatric CHD patients bridged-to-transplant with VAD achieve comparable long-term survival to those without VAD. 

This article explores the challenges and benefits of growing up with a mother in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery. Through a preliminary survey of 12 adult children of women CT surgeons, the study highlights both positive and negative impacts. Most respondents described their mothers as role models who instilled independence, resilience, problem-solving, and career inspiration. However, limited parental availability due to workload often created emotional distance, particularly during early childhood. The findings emphasize the need for institutional reforms, such as flexible scheduling, parental leave, childcare support, and mentorship, to promote work-life integration. Ultimately, the authors conclude that systemic support is essential to ensure women surgeons can thrive in both career and motherhood. 

In this article, the authors analyzed 6,693 redo coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) operations performed between 1980 and 2020 at the Cleveland Clinic to determine whether multiarterial grafting (MAG) provides a survival benefit over single arterial grafting (SAG). Using propensity-matched cohorts (2,005 pairs), they found that MAG resulted in lower in-hospital mortality (1.7 percent vs 2.8 percent) and comparable morbidity. Long-term survival was significantly better after MAG, particularly in men receiving bilateral internal thoracic artery (ITA) grafts, with a 20-year survival rate of 31 percent compared to 25 percent after SAG. No clear survival advantage was observed in women or when non-ITA conduits were used. The authors note that CABG is technically more complex in women, whose smaller arteries and limited collateralization may partly explain the limited observed benefit. 

In this study, the authors evaluated a novel aortic anastomotic stapler for repairing acute type A aortic dissections using a human cadaver model. Ten felt sandwich repairs were performed, with half completed using conventional sutures and the other half using the stapler. The stapler significantly reduced procedure time (median 2:22 vs 6:40 minutes) without increasing leakage. Importantly, the stapled group showed no distal anastomotic new entry, false lumen perfusion, or dissection progression, while these complications occurred in the sutured group. Microscopy confirmed less tissue trauma with the stapler. The device achieved reliable pin deployment and faster, more homogeneous sealing than sutures. While limited to cadaveric testing, these findings suggest this device may improve safety and efficiency in type A dissection repair, warranting further in vivo validation.