STS 2022 Preview — The revamped STS 2022 virtual program will highlight practice-changing research, inspiring lectures, and cutting-edge techniques and technologies in four parallel tracks on Saturday, January 29 and Sunday, January 30.
General Thoracic Offerings Focus on Cancer Breakthroughs, Disparities
The Lung Cancer session will examine topics such as risk factors for readmission after lobectomy, germline genetic variants in patients with multiple primary malignancies, and cost variation and value of care. An Esophagus session covers national and multicenter trials for neoadjuvant therapies, surgical outcomes for robotic esophagectomy, and a study demonstrating that morbidity and mortality are higher in patients who have had esophagectomy for benign disease rather than for malignancy.
“Novel Technology in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer” abstracts will give attendees a glimpse into the future of artificial intelligence applications for predicting malignancy and nodal metastasis during resection, virtual reality planning of segmentectomy, and computed tomography radiomics and serum histoplasmosis testing for improving diagnosis.
Among top abstracts are results from the National Lung Screening Trial on recurrence patterns following complete resection of stage I-II non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A statewide collaborative shines a light on racial differences in lung cancer care, and a joint session between STS and the European Society for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery will explore immunotherapy for NSCLC. General thoracic offerings end on a dramatic note with “Esophageal Surgery Disasters: Leaks, Fistulas, Dead and Dysfunctional Conduits.”
Congenital Highlights Cast an Eye on Outcomes
“It’s Not in the Books … So How Do They Do It?” session will demonstrate congenital surgical techniques, including cone repair for Ebstein anomaly, prophylactic commissural resuspension during coronary artery unroofing, and creation of a polytetrafluoroethylene valved conduit.
In “Focus on Congenital Surgical Challenges,” presenters will explore the impact of procedure volumes on outcomes of the Ross procedure, outcomes for single-ventricle palliation, and practice patterns and outcomes for transposition of the great arteries with intact ventricular septum and left ventricular outflow tract obstruction.
A career development session will feature gems for congenital surgeons such as “I Finally Made It … How Do I Start Making It?” and “Opportunities vs. Equity: Should I Stay or Should I Go?”. “Advances in Pediatric Heart Failure and Transplantation” will examine effects of persistent renal dysfunction, the impact of high panel-reactive antibody, reintervention for superior vena cava obstruction, transplantation in patients with heterotaxy syndrome, and outcomes for single ventricular assist devices.
Top-notch basic science abstracts in congenital surgery will cover topics, including the dose-effect of mesenchymal stromal cell delivery through cardiopulmonary bypass and pulmonary graft changes after Ross operation.
Adult Cardiac Sessions Leverage Hard Data
“Controversies in Coronary Revascularization” will tackle knowledge gaps and practice patterns in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), EXCEL trial results for on- versus off-pump bypass for left main disease, a randomized trial exploring ticagrelor in patients with clopidogrel resistance, and machine learning algorithms to classify CABG outcomes.
“From the Ascending to the Descending Aorta” will explore how a direct-to-operating room aortic emergency transfer program can impact patients with type A aortic dissection, causes of death in patients with ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm, the performance of a new type A arch remodeling stent, and 25-year perspectives on the Penn classification system for malperfusion.
In “The World of Wires” presenters will examine techniques and outcomes for procedures, including cardiac reoperations in patients with transcatheter aortic bioprostheses and 1-year outcomes from the global CHOICE-MI registry.
Top adult cardiac abstracts include results from the PROACT trial of anticoagulation regimen after on-circuit mechanical mitral valve replacement. “Making An Irregular Heart Rhythm Normal Again” will explore techniques such as hybrid minimally invasive surgery for atrial fibrillation and concomitant maze.
Cardiopulmonary Failure Sessions Predict the Future
“Same Toys, New Indications” will explore novel applications for getting patients safely to transplantation, unmet needs in future left ventricular assist device procedures, and the next generation of total artificial hearts. In the afternoon heart transplant session, presenters will address waitlist trends, extended-criteria donors, management techniques for cardiogenic shock, and the impact of previous heart surgery on long-term survival after transplant.
Top abstracts in cardiopulmonary failure will examine fascinating topics, including genetically modified xenotransplantation—presented by Bartley P. Griffith, MD—and whether weekends, holidays, and thoracic conferences impact the acceptance of heart transplant offers.
In “ERAS: The New Normal,” attendees will hear insights on evidence-based guidelines for opioid use, preventing surgical wound infections, and erector spinae plane blocks’ success in reducing the incidence of atrial fibrillation during surgery. “Lung Transplant: Focus on COVID” will address the impact of infection on donors, recipients, and surgeons, as well as tackle ethical dilemmas regarding DNR, DNI, and comfort measures.
A link to the complete STS 2022 program is available at now sts.org/annualmeeting; the conference platform will be live on January 24.