Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual RSS feedThis is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.

Introduction
I am most grateful to Dr. Thoralf M. Sundt, III, 97th President of the AATS (2016-2017), for the opportunity to direct the 2017 Congenital Heart Surgery Postgraduate Course at the Centennial celebration of our Association, and to my Co-Chair Dr. Giovanni Stellin, as well as Dr. Duke Cameron, 98th president of the AATS, Dr. Jake Jaquiss (meeting Co-Chair), and Dr. David Bichell for their hard work and creativity in putting this great program together. The presentations were excellent, creative and thoughtful. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - February 2, 2018 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Michael E. Mitchell Source Type: research

The American Board of Thoracic Surgery Congenital Fellowship: Have We Lost Our International Heritage?
Since 2005 there have been very few (if any) individuals trained outside of the United States in congenital surgery. Confining congenital training to only programs in the US has with it some unintended consequences. First, we need to recognize that progress is made around the world and not only in the US. Second, we decrease our opportunity to establish international peers, which leads to less opportunity for multi-institutional and multi-national studies and intellectual isolation. Third, we are in a new age of globalization. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Vaughn A. Starnes, Maura E. Sullivan Source Type: research

The Evolution of an Adult Congenital Heart Surgery Program: The Emory System
The Emory Adult Congenital Heart (Emory University, Atlanta, GA) program was founded in 2001. In 2004, the surgical component transitioned from a pediatric facility to an adult facility. The aim of this article is characterize the program as a whole, outline changes in the program, and discuss the challenges of the transition process. Between 2001 and 2015, changes in program structure and personnel were evaluated. There has been significant growth of the program between 2001 and 2015. There are currently 19 half-day clinics per week, with 2,700 clinic visits per year. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surge...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Brian Kogon, Joshua Rosenblum, Bahaaldin Alsoufi, Subhadra Shashidharan, Wendy Book Source Type: research

Aortic Arch Advancement and Ascending Sliding Arch Aortoplasty for Repair of Complex Primary and Recurrent Aortic Arch Obstruction
The optimal treatment of patients with complex coarctation of the aorta and hypoplastic aortic arch is controversial. Children undergoing repair of obstructive arch lesions are at lifelong risk of recurrence. Multiple techniques have been described to address complex primary and recurrent coarctation. Our approach at Texas Children ’s Hospital (Houston, TX) has been to address these lesions in an anatomic fashion via median sternotomy, under cardiopulmonary bypass using the techniques of aortic arch advancement and ascending sliding arch aortoplasty. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Luis E. De Le ón, E. Dean McKenzie Source Type: research

Mechanical Circulatory Support of the Fontan Patient
Because of the inadequacies inherent to a circulation supported by a single ventricle, many Fontan patients will experience failure of their circulation. To date, there is no medical regimen that reliably and consistently restores circulatory function in these patients. Because of the shortage of donor organs and the fact that many of these patients present with features that either preclude or render heart transplantation a high risk, there is an intense need to better understand how mechanical circulatory support (MCS) may benefit these patients. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Ronald K. Woods, Nancy S. Ghanayem, Michael E. Mitchell, Steven Kindel, Robert A. Niebler Source Type: research

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons Congenital Heart Surgery Database Public Reporting Initiative
Three basic principles provide the rationale for the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Congenital Heart Surgery Database (CHSD) public reporting initiative: (1) Variation in congenital and pediatric cardiac surgical outcomes exist. (2) Patients and their families have the right to know the outcomes of the treatments that they will receive. (3). It is our professional responsibility to share this information with them in a format they can understand. The STS CHSD public reporting initiative facilitates the voluntary transparent public reporting of congenital and pediatric cardiac surgical outcomes using the STS CHSD Mortal...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Jeffrey P. Jacobs Source Type: research

The ACGME Fellowship in Congenital Cardiac Surgery: The Graduates ’ Perspective
We report the results of a survey of all graduates of accredited programs in CHS. A total of 35/51 (69%) graduates responded to the survey. Of 34 that are in practice, 31 (91%) did not feel ready to engage in solo CHS after completion of training. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Carlos M. Mery, Lauren C. Kane Source Type: research

Closing in on the PumpKIN Trial of the Jarvik 2015 Ventricular Assist Device
The objective of this work was to determine appropriate modifications to the Infant Jarvik VAD that would result in acceptably low hemolysis levels. In vitro hemolysis testing revealed that hemolysis was related to the shape of the pump blade tips and a critical speed over which hemolysis would occur. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: J. Timothy Baldwin, Iki Adachi, John Teal, Christopher A. Almond, Robert D. Jaquiss, M. Patricia Massicotte, Kurt Dasse, Flora S. Siami, Victor Zak, Jonathan R. Kaltman, William T. Mahle, Robert Jarvik Source Type: research

The 50/50 cc Total Artificial Heart Trial: Extending the Benefits of the Total Artificial Heart to Underserved Populations
While use of the total artificial heart (TAH) is growing, the use of the device is not uniform across the gender and age spectrum because the vast majority of implants are in adult males. SynCardia has recently developed a smaller 50 cc TAH that was designed to accommodate patients with a body surface area as low as 1.2 m2 (potentially even lower using virtual implantation). Herein, we describe the early use of the 50 cc TAH (10 implants in the US and 18 outside the US). Twenty-eight devices have been implanted worldwide. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Dennis Wells, Chet R. Villa, David Lu ís Simón Morales Source Type: research

Current Status of Pediatric Ventricular Assist Device Support
The last decade has witnessed significant advancement in the field of ventricular assist device (VAD) support. Although device options for pediatric patients were previously severely limited because of body size constraints, this frustrating situation has gradually been changing, owing to ongoing device miniaturization. Recognition of the superiority of VAD support compared with conventional extracorporeal membrane oxygenation support has spurred enthusiasm for VAD support in children. In this article, we discuss the current status of pediatric VAD support; where do we stand now and where will we be heading? Because this f...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Iki Adachi, Sarah Burki, Charles D. Fraser Source Type: research

Congenital Heart Surgery Subspecialty Certification: How Is It Working? The American Board of Thoracic Surgery Perspective
Congenital heart surgery is among the most challenging fields in all of medicine. The unique skills and knowledge base required prompted the American Board of Thoracic Surgery (ABTS) to establish the Subspecialty Certificate in Congenital Heart Surgery (CHS). Standards for operative experience and fellowship training programs were established by the ABTS and the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Since 2009, 188 Subspecialty Certificates in CHS have been granted, including 38 earned through the fellowship training pathway. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: James S. Tweddell Source Type: research

Valve-Sparing or Valve Reconstruction Options in Tetralogy of Fallot Surgery
We describe the stepwise approach utilized, starting with simple maneuvers such as commissurotomy and valve dilation for mild pulmonary stenosis to commissurotomy and intraoperative balloon dilation for moderate stenosis, and finally transection of the annulus and valve reconstruction using a patch that acts as a modified monocusp. (Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual)
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Emile Bacha Source Type: research

Tetralogy Surgery - Back To Baltimore 70 Years Later: Melbourne Heritage and Group Tribute to Juan Comas
Surgery for Tetralogy of Fallot progressed rapidly from the palliative arterio-pulmonary Blalock-Taussig shunt, introduced in Baltimore 70 years ago, to the “classic” complete transventricular repair technique, with which excellent early results were achieved soon thereafter. However, as duration of follow-up increased, so did the awareness of development of troubling late complications, including severe pulmonary insufficiency, right ventricular di latation and dysfunction, and tricuspid valve insufficiency, all contributing to increasing incidence of late reoperations, as well as to arrhythmias and sudden death. (Sou...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: George E. Sarris Source Type: research

Rescuing the Late Failing Fontan: Focus on Surgical Treatment of Dysrhythmias
Patients with a failing Fontan frequently have dysrhythmias. This review will focus on the treatment of those dysrhythmias based on the 140 patients who have had a Fontan conversion with arrhythmia surgery at Ann& Robert H. Lurie Children ’s Hospital of Chicago (Chicago, IL). Important technical points to be emphasized are the following:• Atrial fibrillation is extremely common in patients with a failing Fontan and strong consideration should be given to a Cox-maze III during any Fontan conversion• Sinus node dysfunction is com mon post-conversion and all patients should receive a dual-chamber epicardial pacemaker•...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Carl L. Backer Source Type: research

A Word of Caution in Public Reporting
Public reporting in its current form will lead to confusion amongst physicians, administrators, families, and the media. It is unclear that we are giving the families information they really need. At the current time there is no evidence that public reporting really leads to improved outcomes. Rather, it may lead to risk aversion and limit access to care. This is a problem not just for congenital heart surgery but for the entire field of medicine and the care that we provide to our patients. We must be very careful that we don ’t create a system where we are afraid to take on a patient with increased risk of mortality be...
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Pediatric Cardiac Surgery Annual - December 20, 2016 Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Thomas L. Spray, J. William Gaynor Source Type: research