The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is thrilled to reassemble for its 61st Annual Meeting Jan. 24-26 in Los Angeles, which brings together cardiothoracic surgeons from around the globe and features late-breaking scientific research, cutting-edge technologies, innovative cardiothoracic surgery products, dynamic and interactive training, and impactful networking and mentorship opportunities.
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STS 2025 will take place in Los Angeles.
Held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, the meeting offers attendees — more than 2,000 professionals at all career stages— a seamless experience with plenary sessions, breakout sessions, and the exhibit hall all conveniently located. That makes it easy for attendees to navigate and connect with colleagues and industry leaders.
On Thursday, Jan. 23, three concurrent half-day pre-conference symposia will enhance the educational experience. These sessions will cover advancements in lung cancer, the diagnosis and treatment of aortic disease for patients of all ages, and more.
The first day of the Annual Meeting will kick off with the Nina Starr BraunwaldExtraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards breakfast. The event, co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, will celebrate women cardiothoracic surgeons who have excelled in clinical practice, made significant contributions to the field, and demonstrated leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise.
The inaugural Nina Starr Braunwald Lecture will be presented by Jennifer Doudna, PhD, a Nobel Prize-winning biochemist renowned for her pioneering work in gene editing. She will explore how scientific innovation is shaping the future of medicine. The Vivien T. Thomas Lecture will feature award-winning photojournalist and filmmaker Ami Vitale. A passionate advocate for social responsibility, she will demonstrate how authentic storytelling can drive meaningful, positive change.
The Society will honor President Jennifer Romano, MD, MS, for her invaluable contributions to the organization as the first female president to hold the office. A special reception will be held at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, amidst a majestic backdrop of North American wildlife dioramas that adorn the hall. Space is limited for this event, so attendees are encouraged to add the reception to their cart during registration.
STS 2025 will offer practical courses on various surgical procedures, delivering an engaging and immersive learning experience for residents, early career surgeons, and all surgeons seeking to enhance their skills. The topics include aortic annular enlargement, TEVAR techniques for aneurysms and dissections, mitral valve repair, complex central airway reconstruction, and the Ross procedure.
For the second consecutive year, The Hub will serve as the focal point for cardiothoracic surgery trainees. The Hub’s lounge area will offer a variety of engaging sessions, including mock oral Interviews, job interview preparation, early career surgeon roundtable discussions, a trainee symposium with a luncheon, and more.
Attendees can also enjoy creative activities in The Hub, such as the collaborative mural project “Splashes of Hope,” where participants can contribute their creativity to artwork that will be donated to a local children's hospital. For those eager to capture memorable moments, the selfie station will offer a fun and interactive backdrop perfect for sharing on social media.
Additionally, a scavenger hunt will inspire attendees to engage in challenges via the Annual Meeting app, with opportunities to win prizes.
There’s still time to register, add ticketed events, and start planning your Los Angeles experience at sts.org/annualmeeting.
On day three of the STS 2025 Annual Meeting, Dr. Jeremiah Hayanga, professor of thoracic surgery, Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, West Virginia University, will present a session titled, Endobronchial Valve Therapy (EVT) versus Lung Volume Reduction Survey (LVRS) in the US. In this presentation, Dr. Hayanga and his research team will share new, risk-adjusted study results that provide fresh insights into treatments for severe emphysema.
Recent findings suggest that as surgical practices evolve, LVRS may offer better long-term results for patients with advanced emphysema compared to EBV therapy. Although EBV patients had shorter hospital stays, lower charges, and fewer pre-existing conditions, the study revealed they experienced more complications and a higher risk of death over time than those who underwent LVRS.
To be held Sunday, Jan. 25, at 8 a.m. during the larger “Modernized Solutions for Lung Failure, From Bench to Bedside” session, Dr. Hayanga will also discuss the limitations of lung transplantation as a solution for severe emphysema due to the shortage of donor organs.
“Surgical lung volume reduction, explored in the late 1990s, did not gain widespread acceptance due to its associated risks and the small pool of patients who were thought to benefit,” says Dr. Hayanga. “However, with advancements in surgical techniques and risk management, LVRS has seen improved outcomes, offering hope for patients who are not candidates for lung transplants.”
During the Saturday, Jan. 25 presentation of the James S. Tweddell Memorial Paper for Congenital Heart Surgery, Dr. Reilly Hobbs from the University of Utah Medical Center will explore the relationship between the volume of Norwood procedures performed at a center and patient outcomes based on findings from the National Pediatric Cardiology – Quality Improvement Collaborative Database study.
The Norwood procedure, a critical surgery for infants with single ventricle defects, has been extensively studied, but findings on how case volume affects outcomes have been inconsistent. This study examines data that clarifies the relationship between center case volume and survival and morbidity in patients undergoing this complex surgery.
In presenting the findings of the study, Congenital Heart Surgery, Volume-Outcome Relationship of Norwood Procedures: Insights from the National Pediatric Cardiology – Quality Improvement Collaborative Database, Dr. Hobbs will explain how centers were grouped based on their annual case volume—low, medium, and high—and how preoperative risk factors, complications, and survival outcomes were compared. He will also highlight how patients at high-volume centers had better outcomes than those at low-volume centers, including higher survival rates and lower mortality, particularly among patients with additional high-risk features.
“The findings indicate that the number of Norwood procedures performed at a center significantly impacts patient outcomes with high-volume centers consistently achieving better results than low-volume centers,” says Dr. Hobbs. “It’s essential to emphasize the role of case volume in complex congenital heart surgeries and explore the potential benefits of directing high-risk patients to more experienced centers. Further research is needed to identify the key factors that contribute to improved outcomes at high-volume centers, ultimately enhancing care for single ventricle patients.”
In a landmark achievement for healthcare in Southeast Asia, St. Luke's Medical Center has launched the region's first robotic cardiac surgery program. This historic initiative was made possible through a collaborative effort between St. Luke's multidisciplinary team, led by Drs. Marvin Martinez and Ramiro Pablo, and the expert team from West Virginia University's (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute, including Dr. Vinay Badhwar, Dr. Lawrence Wei, and physician assistant Herald Fe.
The program debuted with a series of innovative robotic-assisted cardiac procedures, showcasing the transformative potential of this advanced technology. Among the groundbreaking surgeries performed were:
Robotic MIDCAB (Minimally Invasive Direct Coronary Artery Bypass)
Robotic bileaflet mitral valve repair for severe mitral regurgitation (MR) due to bileaflet myxomatous disease
Robotic mitral valve repair for endocarditis, including anterior mitral leaflet perforation
Robotic adult congenital atrial septal reconstruction using a bovine patch for a patient with a common atrium
Robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) for a patient from Papua New Guinea
The first robotic valve surgery—a repair of a severely regurgitant mitral valve in a 40-year-old patient—marked a defining moment in the program's success. With guidance from WVU's Heart and Vascular Institute, the procedure was completed with precision and excellence, underscoring the collaboration's impact.
Dr. Pablo expressed his excitement, saying, "This is a monumental step forward for cardiac care in Southeast Asia. Our partnership with the WVU team has empowered us to provide patients with less invasive, highly precise procedures and faster recoveries."
Dr. Martinez added, "Establishing this robotic cardiac surgery program has been a dream realized through our team's dedication and the invaluable expertise of our WVU partners. This is just the beginning of a new era in cardiac care."
Reflecting on the collaboration, Dr. Badhwar remarked, "Teamwork truly makes the dream work. The exceptional multidisciplinary team at St. Luke's has shown that vision, determination, and collaboration can achieve extraordinary outcomes."
St. Luke's Robotic Cardiac Surgery Program is set to advance care across the region, offering minimally invasive options that reduce pain, recovery time, and the risk of complications.
In presenting the Adult Cardiac Clark Paper on day two of STS 2025, Increased Risk of Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement After Prior Transcatheter Versus Surgical Aortic Valve Replacement with Concomitant Valve Disease, Dr. Robert Hawkins explores the heightened mortality risk for patients undergoing reoperation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) compared to those who have undergone surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR).
Using data from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which covers the years 2011 to 2021, Dr. Hawkins and his team examine the impact of concomitant mitral and tricuspid valve diseases on reoperation outcomes, with a particular focus on TAVR explants.
As part of the “Aortic Valve Surgery: What Do Our Patients Need to Know?” session on Saturday, Jan. 25 from 4:30 – 5:45 p.m., Dr. Hawkins will discuss findings that show patients with prior TAVR are more likely to suffer from severe concomitant valve diseases, such as mitral regurgitation, compared to those who underwent SAVR. These patients demonstrated a higher mortality rate during reoperation, particularly TAVR explants with an increase in the odds of mortality. The study further finds that severe valve disease is associated with significantly higher mortality in both TAVR explant and redo-SAVR cases.
During this session, Dr. Hawkins will share findings indicating that heart teams should consider these risks when deciding between TAVR and SAVR, as well as when addressing dysfunctional TAVR valves to avoid the heightened risks of reoperation.
The rapid advancement of robotic technology has revolutionized the field of thoracic surgery. At the same time, the technological leap has highlighted a pressing need to bridge the educational gap in the training of thoracic surgery trainees. To address this issue, the Society of Thoracic Surgeons has developed an expert consensus document outlining a framework for a standardized national robotic curriculum.
A recent paper published in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, authored by the Task Force on Robotic Thoracic Surgery and the Workforce on E-learning and Educational Innovation, has provided expert consensus statements for thoracic surgery training programs. This paper was created following an extensive literature review and expert consensus achieved through a modified Delphi process. It outlines expectations for programs, essential training components, as well as assessment and feedback methods.
Program Expectations
Standardization: The consensus document advocates for standardized robotic thoracic curricula across all Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education-accredited programs.
Dual Console Training: Trainees should have ample opportunity to practice on dual consoles during most cases to actively participate in the surgical process.
Bedside Assistance: The presence of a trained bedside assistant during teaching cases is strongly recommended.
Components of Training
Theoretical & Practical: The curriculum must integrate theoretical and practical learning.
Pre-Console Training: Online modules on robotic components and hands-on training are mandatory before console surgery.
VR Simulation: Proficiency in digital/virtual reality simulation modules is a prerequisite for console surgery.
Wet Lab Training: Mandatory participation in at least one wet lab per year.
Emergency Conversion: Mandatory to perform with the trainees or OR team at least once a year.
Assessment and Feedback
Skill Assessment: Utilize objective tools like Global Evaluative Assessment of Robotic Skills to assess technical competency.
EPA Development: Develop Entrusted Professional Activity for pulmonary resection.
Performance Review: Regular video review and analysis of robotic performances provide valuable feedback.
By implementing the recommendations outlined in this expert consensus document, thoracic surgery training programs can ensure that trainees are well-prepared to perform complex robotic procedures and contribute to the advancement of thoracic surgery.
"Robotic surgery is rapidly evolving, and it's crucial that our training programs keep pace,” said Samuel Kim, MD, Northwestern Medicine, who chaired the task force that produced the document. "To ensure a skilled workforce capable of meeting the demands of modern thoracic surgery, we must prioritize a standardized curriculum that enhances resident education and bridges any existing educational disparities across training programs. By fostering a comprehensive learning environment that emphasizes both refined technical skills and sound clinical judgment, we can effectively train the next generation of surgical leaders."
The 2024 Latin American Cardiovascular Surgery Conference, held over three days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, attracted leading experts from Europe, Latin America, and North America to address topics in cardiovascular medicine, including coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.
"The conference provided a diverse range of sessions to accommodate surgeons at all stages of their careers," explained Program Chair Rafael Sadaba, MD, Navarra University Hospital, Pamplona, Spain. “Residents and early career surgeons benefited from dedicated sessions, while experienced surgeons had the opportunity to delve into complex procedures and cutting-edge techniques.”
The program offered a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in cardiac surgery. It featured scientific abstracts, technical videos, and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, including the current state of heart transplantation in Latin America, the use of mechanical circulatory support devices, the role of ECMO in treating cardiogenic shock, and advanced surgical techniques for mitral and aortic valve repair.
“This year, I was particularly interested in the session on the Ross Procedure, an operation that has been around for a long time but has experienced renewed interest over the past few years," said EACTS Secretary General Patrick Meyers, MD, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland.
The three-day event highlighted women's cardiac health, particularly tailored approaches and complex treatments for women of reproductive age. Other sessions focused on managing aortic dissection, advancing transcatheter valve therapies, and providing lifelong care for patients with conditions such as aortic stenosis.
The conference concluded with hands-on workshops that allowed participants to practice skills such as mitral valve repair and ECMO cannulation, making it an essential platform for advancing cardiac care in Latin America.
CHICAGO, IL – December 10, 2024 – Annals of Thoracic Surgery Short Reports (Annals Short Reports), The Society of Thoracic Surgeons’ peer-reviewed, open-access journal, has been accepted for indexing in PubMed Central,1 expanding its reach and impact within the global medical community. Beginning in early 2025, all articles that have been published in Annals Short Reports will be indexed and viewable and included in general search results on PubMed/MEDLINE.
A groundbreaking surgical achievement has been made by the team at West Virginia University (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute, led by Dr. Vinay Badhwar, the executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and the second vice president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. On October 31, 2024, the team performed the world’s first combined robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through a single small incision.
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Dr. Vinay Badhwar
The pioneering procedure was performed on 73-year-old Poppy McGee, a patient with a complex medical history, including a stroke, brain surgery, and significant weight loss. Referred to Dr. Badhwar for treatment of both aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease, McGee initially faced the prospect of traditional open-heart surgery. However, when she and her family learned of its risks—over a 10% chance of mortality and nearly 50% likelihood of complications—they inquired about alternative options.
Dr. Badhwar explained his team had developed a novel robotic approach that had yet to be tested on a patient. After a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits, McGee and her family agreed to proceed with the innovative robotic surgery.
The procedure involved both AVR and CABG, performed entirely robotically through a single incision on the far right of McGee’s chest. The success of the surgery has sparked optimism about the potential for broader adoption of robotic heart surgery for patients with complex conditions.
“While we are still in the early days of this latest innovation, the ability to perform valve surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery fully robotically through a single incision has the potential to open up a new era of robotic heart surgery,” Dr. Badhwar noted in a prepared statement. “We must always keep quality outcomes at the forefront of all innovation. However, if surgeons adopt and gain experience with techniques such as this one, they will tackle this last frontier that previously limited a robotic approach. One day in the near future, this may serve as a platform to perform nearly all types of heart surgery.”
This revolutionary procedure potentially paves the way for less invasive operations. Dr. Lawrence Wei, a professor at the WVU Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, remarked on the impact of this advancement: "Patients who have both valve disease and coronary artery disease have traditionally been treated by open-heart surgery performed through the breastbone. This new robotic technique could redefine how we approach these cases."
Dr. Goya Raikar, an assistant professor at WVU and a member of Badhwar’s robotics team, also underscored the procedure's significance: "Until now, the main exclusion for us to perform a robotic approach has been the coexistence of valve and coronary artery disease. Building on our experience with robotic aortic valve surgery, this new approach may help us extend robotic surgery options to many more patients."
The patient’s daughter, Mollie Wilcosky, expressed gratitude for the groundbreaking care provided by the WVU team. “We are so thankful for Dr. Badhwar and the team at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute for developing this robotic procedure to help my mother recover so well,” Wilcosky said. “She is getting stronger every day.”
The full details of the procedure will be in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, highlighting how innovative approaches like this continue to redefine the future of cardiothoracic surgery.
References:
• Cardiovascular Business article on the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute's groundbreaking surgery.
• WV News article detailing the multidisciplinary team and procedural innovations at WVU Medicine’s WVU Heart and Vascular Institute.
The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (ASCVTS) recently co-hosted the inaugural Aortic Summit 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. This international event brought together leading experts in the field to discuss advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic aortic lesions, including endovascular approaches.
The summit was designed to cater to a diverse audience, including cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, CT residents, perfusionists, and ICU and OR nurses.
The comprehensive three-day program covered a wide range of topics, including root, arch, descending aorta, TEVAR, dissection, and hybrid procedures. Participants had the opportunity to learn from experts, network with colleagues, and gain valuable insights into the latest techniques and technologies.
"The sessions delved into the latest developments through a series of presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops," said Yutaka Okita, MD, Congress President for the STS-ASCVTS Aortic Summit 2024. "The event featured a number of eminent speakers from all over the world, who shared their expertise and achievements with attendees.”
On October 25-26, 2024, more than 230 members of perioperative and critical care teams from around the world gathered in Philadelphia for the 2024 Perioperative & Critical Care Conference. The conference focused on the latest techniques and management strategies in cardiovascular and thoracic critical care, as well as enhanced recovery after surgery. Participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing patient care and improving outcomes.
The two-day event covered a wide range of topics, including fundamentals of waveforms and monitoring, goal-directed hemodynamic therapy and AKI prevention, ECMO fundamentals, improving communication in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and vasoplegia management.
Here's what a few attendees said about the Perioperative & Critical Care Conference:
"In the ECMO session, we not only saw the latest in technology and innovation, but also learned techniques that will help us treat our patients and get them out of the hospital in better condition,” Dr. Jeremiah Hayanga, West Virginia University Health System
"The conference was well-paced and engaging. The speakers were captivating, and the discussions were thought-provoking. The two days flew by!"
"The STS team did a fantastic job with the logistics of this large-scale conference. The recordings and slides will be a great way to review the material and share it with colleagues.”
"The conference was informative and highlighted areas where we can improve our practices. I appreciate the multidisciplinary focus, which is essential for optimal patient care."
"As an APP, I truly enjoyed the conference and felt that the presentation and topics aligned well with my role. I look forward to attending again next year."
A traveling, mobile lung screening program has the potential to diagnose cancer earlier, leading to a higher cure rate and lower death rate. In this episode of Thinking Thoracic, STS’s new podcast series, host Dr. Jeffrey Yang talks with Dr. Robert Headrick about CHI Memorial’s “Breathe Easy” mobile lung screening program and how meeting people where they are with quality healthcare services like this one is saving lives.
