STS 2023 Abstract Deadline Is Approaching Fast
The STS 59th Annual Meeting—to be held January 21–23 in San Diego, California—is the premier forum for sharing research findings, quality initiatives, and cutting-edge techniques with the global cardiothoracic surgery community.
Abstract submission closes July 22; there’s still time to submit materials for oral presentations, scientific posters, and surgical videos in:
⊲ Congenital heart surgery
⊲ General thoracic surgery
⊲ Basic science research
⊲ Quality improvement
⊲ Cardiothoracic surgical education
⊲ Physician/provider wellness
⊲ Perioperative management and critical care
For authors involved in Phase I, II, or III clinical trials for which no preliminary data will be available by the July deadline, the Society will consider promissory abstracts (data must be available by December 16).
In addition, the Society is accepting compelling session proposals that showcase emerging, innovative, and/or critical issues facing the specialty. The deadline for promissory abstracts and session proposals also is July 22.
More information is available at sts.org/annualmeeting.
Annals Impact Factor Reaches Record High
The Society’s peer-reviewed journal, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, has earned its highest impact factor to date—and the first one over five.
The impact factor, an important metric indicating a journal’s influence, measures the frequency with which the average article has been cited in a particular year. For 2021, the impact factor was 5.102, as reported by Clarivate Analytics in its Journal Citation Reports.
Notably, The Annals was the most cited journal in cardiothoracic surgery, with more than 45,000 total citations in 2021.
Article topics that received the most citations last year include: the Intermacs and STS National Database annual reports; representation of women in STS authorship and leadership positions; adult cardiac infection mitigation strategies; tiered patient triage for adult cardiac and thoracic surgery; sexual harassment in cardiothoracic surgery; and social media’s influence in cardiothoracic surgical literature dissemination.
A subscription to The Annals is a benefit of STS membership. To read the journal online, visit annalsthoracicsurgery.org.
Leadership Institute Graduates Emerge with Crisis Management, Branding Skills
In April, a select group of STS members gathered in Chicago for the capstone event of the 2021-2022 STS Leadership Institute.
This program is designed to arm early- and mid-career cardiothoracic surgeons with the skills to lead teams in complex and everchanging health care environments.
During the event, participants had plenty of face-to-face time with a world-class faculty—surgeons with exceptional experience in leadership and mentorship roles.
Presenters explored the impact of organizational culture and how to influence change, identified tools for effective communication within a diverse working environment, examined strategies for achieving personal goals inside and outside the workplace, defined wellness, and pinpointed skill sets for obtaining work/life balance.
In the months leading up to the event, Leadership Institute participants completed three virtual training courses that formed the core curriculum: “Leading During Crisis,” “Building Your Practice and Your Brand,” and “Promoting Your Brand.”
The STS Leadership Institute is an educational opportunity with a limited number of seats, and it’s available only to STS Members. The 2022-2023 program is underway, and the next application round will be for the 2023-2024 track.
Learn more at sts.org/leadershipinstitute.
Latest Webinars Offer Hours of Self-Paced Learning
The STS Webinar Series is designed to give participants access to training, techniques, and expert perspectives on a variety of topics in cardiothoracic surgery, allowing them to learn on their own time. The latest installments include:
- “Dos and Don’ts of the Mobile ECMO Team,” in which a multidisciplinary panel shares their expertise in establishing and maintaining an effective mobile ECMO unit.
- “Coronary Revascularization Guideline: Why STS and AATS Did Not Endorse,” paneled by senior leaders from STS and the American Association for Thoracic Surgery. The panelists discuss the concerns that informed the decision not to endorse the 2021 Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization published in December.
- “Bronchoscopy: Electromagnetic, Robots, & Ablation,” featuring an international panel of surgeons who share their experiences with electromagnetic and robotic approaches to bronchoscopy, as well as ablation of lung cancers.
- “Understanding and Implementing the New CoC Lung Cancer Standards,” in which an expert panel discusses the new Quality of Care Measures updated by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer (CoC).
- “Management of Type B Aortic Dissection: Takeaways from the STS/AATS Guideline,” presented by guideline coauthors, who discuss the key takeaways from this comprehensive, up-to-date summary of the state of the evidence.
- “Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Essentials,” with world-renowned robotic cardiac surgeons, explores the essential components of successful robotic mitral valve repair and implications for the future of cardiac surgery.
These videos and more are available at sts.org/webinars.
Surgical Teams Encouraged to Send Data Managers to AQO
By attending the 2022 Advances in Quality Outcomes (AQO): A Data Managers Meeting, data managers will learn the newest research discoveries, clinical guidance, and master techniques for harnessing the STS National Database.
AQO, October 26–28 in Providence, Rhode Island, will offer tracks for all four components of the Database: Adult Cardiac, Congenital, General Thoracic, and Intermacs/Pedimacs.
Surgeon leaders, data managers, and Database platform experts will share valuable findings and approaches to clinical data analysis. Attendees also can submit abstracts for presentation, highlighting the research and performance of participating sites.
“Cardiothoracic surgery departments can benefit greatly from the insights presented at AQO,” said Felix G. Fernandez, MD, MSc, Chair of the STS Workforce on National Databases. “I encourage every data manager who works with the STS National Database—or who wants to see how it can help transform quality improvement methods at their site—to join us at the meeting, so that we can keep building upon the Database and optimize the care we provide to our patients.”
To learn about AQO abstract submission and registration, visit sts.org/AQO.
Industry Spotlight Videos Illuminate Unmet Needs, Optimal Screening for Lung Cancer
The latest videos in Industry Spotlight, a collection from industry partners that highlights cutting-edge techniques, medical devices, and other industry news and education, cover clinically important findings and developments in lung cancer diagnosis and treatment.
“Addressing Unmet Needs for Patients with Resectable NSCLC and the Benefits of an MDT Approach” and “The Importance of Early Detection of Lung Cancer: Best Practices to Optimize Screening Programs,” sponsored by AstraZeneca, are ready to watch now at sts.org/industryspotlight.
Once posted, Industry Spotlight videos are available for a limited time. New videos will be added periodically.
Upcoming STS Course Offers In-Person Critical Care Training
Now is the time to join colleagues for face-to-face fellowship, the newest scientific breakthroughs, and the opportunity to learn state-of-the-art techniques in critical care.
The 19th Annual Perioperative and Critical Care Conference will take place September 8–10 in Denver, Colorado. This event—which attracts attendees and faculty from around the world—is designed to enhance knowledge and expertise in cardiovascular and thoracic critical care as well as in enhanced recovery after surgery.
Abstracts are being accepted through July 13 and registration is open at sts.org/criticalcare.
Coronary Conference Marked First-of-Its-Kind Experience in Ottawa
Attendees from 18 countries converged in June for the 2022 STS Coronary Conference, which delivered state-of-the-art training in coronary artery surgery, late-breaking science abstracts, and a world-renowned faculty.
The 2-day conference, held in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, was a unique experience, featuring didactic presentations, “How I Do It” video sessions on surgical techniques, practical tips and tricks, in-depth abstracts sessions, and case-based panel discussions.
Topics focused on the current state of revascularization, conduit selection and harvest, graft configuration, off- and on-pump coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), endarterectomy, low ejection fraction, minimally invasive CABG, myocardial revascularization, CABG and fractional flow reserve, and post-operative medical therapy.
Sessions were highly interactive, with audience participation and questions encouraged throughout the conference.
“We are pleased to report that the conference—the first of its kind—was a resounding success," said course director Marc Ruel, MD, MPH, who serves as STS Canadian Director. "It is germane that cardiac surgeons specialize deeply in advanced coronary surgery, as the field experiences a resurgence, represents about half of what adult cardiac surgeons do, and has been greatly promoted through a widespread emphasis on heart team discussions. More than ever, we need to regularly meet as a strong and innovative community."
Those who registered for the Coronary Conference will receive free access to its recorded content. For those who couldn’t attend, the content will be available for purchase in the STS Learning Center at learningcenter.sts.org.
STS Leadership Positions: Are You Interested?
All members are invited to participate in the Society’s self-nomination process for standing committee and workforce appointments.
In order to represent the full gender and ethnic diversity of the membership, STS encourages submissions from all practice types, career levels, disciplines, geographic areas, and other demographics.
Submissions will be accepted in August; information on how to self-nominate is available at sts.org/selfnomination.
A full list of the Society’s leadership and governance structure can be found at sts.org/leadership.
Scholarships Support Attendance at STS Annual Meeting
Aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons—and general surgery residents looking for a glimpse at a career in cardiothoracic surgery—have the opportunity to experience the STS Annual Meeting and see what a future in the specialty has to offer.
The STS Looking to the Future Scholarship (LTTF) is intended for medical students and general surgery residents.
Benefits of the 2023 LTTF scholarship include:
⊲ Complimentary registration for STS 2023—the Society’s 59th Annual Meeting—being held January 21–23 in San Diego, California
⊲ A 3-night stay at an STS-designated hotel
⊲ Participation in exclusive events
⊲ Reimbursement of up to $500 in related travel expenses
The following are eligible to apply:
⊲ Medical students training at an institution in the United States or Canada
⊲ Clinical PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 general surgery residents training at an institution in the United States or Canada
⊲ General surgery residents on dedicated research time who have not started their PGY4 clinical year training at an institution in the United States or Canada
Application details will be available later this summer at sts.org/lttf.
Previous scholarship recipients are not eligible; however, previous applicants are encouraged to re-apply.