This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Christopher McGregor, professor in the Department of Surgery at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, about the current state of cardiac and kidney xenotransplantation. They discussed the three approved trials for xenotransplantation in 2025, the preclinical efficacy assessment, and the various challenges of xenotransplantation. Additionally, they explored the history of orthotopic transplants, heart failure, and antibody-mediated rejection. They also examined the future of xenotransplantation and the anatomy of pig hearts vs human hearts.  

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on the status of cardiac xenotransplantation including preclinical models, the DECAF randomized clinical trial on if caffeinated coffee consumption or abstinence reduces atrial fibrillation; the impact of environmental factors on acute aortic dissection; and a multicenter, international, randomized, controlled, phase 3 trial on the effects of intraoperative higher vs lower positive end-expiratory pressure during one-lung ventilation for thoracic surgery on postoperative pulmonary complications (PROTHOR).  

In addition, Joel explores combined aortic valve and coronary surgery via left anterior minithoracotomy, management of anomalous right coronary artery in a patient with mitral valve prolapse, and redo frozen elephant trunk after endovascular arch repair. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) 2025: Status of Cardiac Xenotransplantation Including Preclinical Models [3] 

2.) Caffeinated Coffee Consumption or Abstinence to Reduce Atrial Fibrillation: The DECAF Randomized Clinical Trial [4] 

3.) Weathering the Aorta: The Impact of Environmental Factors on Acute Aortic Dissection [5]  

4.) Effects of Intraoperative Higher Versus Lower Positive End-Expiratory Pressure During One-Lung Ventilation for Thoracic Surgery on Postoperative Pulmonary Complications (PROTHOR): A Multicentre, International, Randomised, Controlled, Phase 3 Trial  [6]

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) Combined Aortic Valve and Coronary Surgery via Left Anterior Minithoracotomy: Clinical Experience With Sutureless Bioprosthesis [7] 

2.) Management of Anomalous Right Coronary Artery in a Patient With Mitral Valve Prolapse [8] 

3.) Redo Frozen Elephant Trunk After Endovascular Arch Repair [9] 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Resident Video Competition [10] 

2.) 2025 CTSNet Recruitment Guide  [11] 

3.) Career Center [12]  

4.) CTSNet Events Calendar [13] 

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