This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning spoke with Dr. Hani Shennib, a Clinical Professor of Vascular and Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, USA, about catheters as a language. They explore the importance of making catheters a language by learning, speaking, and practicing it daily. They also discuss how cardiac surgeons have lost the role of “gatekeepers,” with cardiologists now controlling more of the decision-making process. Dr. Shennib emphasizes the need for surgeons to be involved in decision-making from diagnosis to treatment and highlights the significance of patient-centered decision-making and the human aspect of these choices. They also compare coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), examining which procedure is more appropriate in different circumstances. Furthermore, they explore the reasons behind the shrinking cardiac specialty and discuss how to save it. Finally, they discuss the future of cardiac surgery.  

Joel also highlights recent JANS articles on a randomized controlled trial on the enhanced detection and prompt diagnosis of atrial fibrillation using an Apple watch, the results of a human cadaver study on a novel aortic end-to-end anastomotic stapler device, improving patient selection for minimally invasive lobectomy or stereotactic ablative radiotherapy based on clinical characteristics, and a systematic review and meta-analysis on the five-year outcomes of transcatheter versus surgical aortic valve replacement in women. 

In addition, Joel explores tips and tricks for mitral valve repair from a Brussels experience, treatment of ruptured sinus valsalva aneurysm with hemi-Yacoub remodeling technique, and a Ross procedure with modified inclusion technique. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Enhanced Detection and Prompt Diagnosis of Atrial Fibrillation Using Apple Watch: A Randomized Controlled Trial [3] 

2.) A Novel Aortic End-to-End Anastomotic Stapler Device—Results of a Human Cadaver Study [4] 

3.) Stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Improving Patient Selection for Minimally Invasive Lobectomy or Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy Based on Clinical Characteristics  [5]

4.) Five-Year Outcomes of Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement in Women: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis   [6]

CTSNet Content Mentioned 

1.) Mitral Valve Repair—Tips and Tricks From Brussels Experience: 2025 London Core Review Cardiothoracic Surgery Course [7]  

2.) Treatment of Ruptured Sinus Valsalva Aneurysm With Hemi-Yacoub Remodeling Technique [8]  

3.) Ross Procedure With Modified Inclusion Technique: An Autograft in a Vest [9] 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Instructional Video Competition [10]  

2.) Career Center [11] 

3.) CTSNet Events Calendar [12] 

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