Journal and News Scan

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the risk of chronic opioid use after surgery. In this nationwide cohort study, we examined the rate of new persistent opioid use after cardiac surgery by sternotomy.

A scholarly update on the previous (2016) guidelines, with an interesting Chapter 9 Gaps in evidence and future perspectives. The guidelines have been extensively reviewed by European and other experts. The authors insist on the only advisory value of their conclusions. Understandably, there is no mention of venous ECMO.

On January 10, 2021, the University of Maryland School of Medicine annnounced that Dr. Bartley P. Griffith and his team successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig heart in a 57-year-old man with end-stage heart failure, and the patient was doing well three days later. 

This historic xenotransplant operation may provide an important new option for patients with terminal heart disease in dire need of heart donor and a viable solution to the organ crisis. 

The Southern Thoracic Surgical Association (STSA) is a regional society whose mission is to support members of the cardiothoracic community. Since 1954, STSA has held its annual meeting to promote the scholarly work and networking of its members. This year, Donald D. Chang, MD PhD had the privilege of attending the 68th Annual Meeting as a James W. Brooks scholar, named in honor of the Society’s 23rd President for his lifelong support and contribution to the society. Here he gives his account of his experiecs at the event.