A Cut Above: Cardiothoracic insights from EACTS European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery (EACTS)

This month, our hosts Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen explore the future of coronary surgery with renowned experts: Sigrid Sandner, Anders Jeppsson and Torsten Doenst. This discussion addresses the evolving utility of CABG following the introduction of PCI, involving evidence-based comparisons between these approaches. Listen for a detailed analysis of how patient risk versus benefit is understood, and the diverse nuances available between clinical outcomes and patient groups. 

Join our hosts Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen at the second EACTS innovation summit in Paris, an international event gathering diverse specialists and innovative ideas.  
 
(00:53 – 11:29) Paul Rulkens, a renowned expert in high performance, discusses how to courageously innovate and think beyond the limitations of preconceived notions. Rulkens also creatively advises how to approach failure and think differently when developing novel ideas.  
 
(11:30 – 25:17) Our hosts meet with Shaf Keshavjee, the highly influential thoracic surgeon, director and chief of innovation. Keshavjee talks of their innovation in the field of transplantation, strategically transforming the capabilities of ex-vivo lung perfusion. 
 
(25:28 -  38:38) The paediatric cardiac surgeon, Pedro del Nido, expresses the value of focussed collaborative innovation in medical device development. Del Nido also discusses how unique approaches are used to address unmet need, for example in paediatric valvular disease.

This month’s episode features Sam Heuts, the first author of a recent Editor’s Choice article published in ICVTS entitled ‘TAVR vs. SAVR – A Bayesian interpretation’. Our hosts, Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen, find out more about the analysis of trials comparing transcatheter valve replacement and surgical aortic valve replacement. Including discussions of the fundamental statistics used and the effect upon 5-year all-cause mortality. 

Following our joint publication of the highly anticipated Aortic Disease Guidelines, our hosts Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen speak with Martin Czerny (University Clinic Freiburg, Germany) and Martin Grabenwöger (Clinic Floridsdorf, Vienna, Austria). This episode covers both the people involved in creating this influential document, as well as engaging detail regarding our current understanding of this fascinating organ. 

This month, our hosts Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen are joined by the esteemed Dr. Filip Casselman (of the OLV Clinic, Belgium) and Dr. Sabine Bleiziffer (of the Herz- und Diabeteszentrum NRW, Germany). Listen for an in-depth discussion on the often controversial, aortic valve, including key insight into current clinical practices as well as how these approaches are developing.

Join our hosts Can Gollmann-Tepeköylü and Miia L Lehtinen for the first episode of 2024. In this episode, our hosts chat to Dr. Patrick Myers, leading cardiothoracic surgeon and EACTS Secretary General (2022 – Present). Dr Myers talks about his journey to becoming the EACTS Secretary General and his experiences within the role including the merits and challenges.