New Perspectives in Cardiothoracic Surgery

Dear Colleagues,

The field of cardiothoracic surgery has seen tremendous growth in recent years. Staggering technological advancements have enabled the integration of off-pump CABG, miniaturized CPB circuits, and hybrid revascularization approaches in the armamentarium of practicing cardiac surgeons. Compelling evidence demonstrates the reproducibility, safety, and efficacy of minimally invasive cardiac surgery, including thoracoscopically-assisted and totally endoscopic approaches. Once thought to be unamenable to reparative surgery, aortic valve disease has promoted revolutionized forms of treatment, with a broad application and standardization of valve-sparing aortic root replacement procedures, the Ozaki technique, and more. Percutaneous approaches, including but not limited to TAVI and MitraClip, have also found application in the care of high-risk patients with structural heart disease. Similarly, endovascular techniques have a fast-expanding role in patients with aortic aneurysms and dissections, nearly eliminating major surgery in selected cases. Breakthroughs in mechanical circulatory support have also been instrumental in managing patients with end-stage cardiopulmonary failure. Thoracic surgical oncology has also experienced a major change with the advent of VATS and robotic technology. In this ever-changing landscape, residency and fellowship programs must strive to equip the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons with a versatile skill set that includes open, minimally invasive, and transcatheter expertise.

Original research articles, meta-analyses, and reviews are welcome in this Special Issue. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

• CABG surgery—conduit dilemmas and off-pump CABG;
• New-generation prosthetic valves and emerging lifetime valve management strategies;
• Novel repair techniques for diseased native valves;
• Transcatheter approaches;
• Complex aortic surgery and thoracic endovascular techniques;
• Mechanical circulatory support (LVAD, BiVAD, TAH, ECMO, percutaneous devices);
• Advances in cardiopulmonary bypass circuits and myocardial/organ protection strategies;
• Heart/lung transplantation and novel immunosuppression regimens;
• Advances in the surgical management of pediatric and adult congenital heart disease;
• Challenges in the perioperative, anesthetic, and ICU management of cardiothoracic patients;
• Minimally invasive cardiac surgery;
• VATS and robotic thoracic surgical oncology;
• Education and training in cardiothoracic surgery.

Dr. Konstantinos S. Mylonas
Prof. Dr. Dimitrios C. Angouras
Guest Editors

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