Presidential Address - American Association for Thoracic Surgery

PENNSYLVANIA CONVENTION CENTER PHILADELPHIA, PA MAY 7-11, 2011 

TUESDAY 

7:30 AM – 8:45 AM 

Cardiac Surgery Forum 

General Thoracic Surgery Forum 

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM 

Exhibits Open 

Operating Rooms of the Future: Hybrid 

Technologies© and CT ICU of the Future © 

9:00 AM – 12:30 PM 

Plenary Scientific Sessions 

11:40 AM – 12:30 PM 

Honored Guest Speaker Lecture: 

The Only Constant Is Change 

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM 

Simultaneous Scientific Sessions 

Adult Cardiac Surgery 

Congenital Heart Disease 

General Thoracic Surgery 

Aortic/Endovascular Surgery 

Continued on page 9 

AATS is pleased 

to have 

Michael J. Mack, 

MD, as the Honored 

Guest Speaker 

at this year’s annual 

meeting. 

His presentation, 

“The Only Constant 

Is Change,” 

will be given at 

11:40 a.m. 

Honored Guest 

Speaker Today 

Michael J. Mack, MD 

Visit AATS Daily News and 

THORACIC SURGERY NEWS online: 

www.thoracicsurgerynews.com 

Presidential Address: 

Mentorship for Life 

Surgical mentorship must focus on going beyond didactic 

teaching to truly transforming our residents and fellows 

into capable thoracic surgeons. It must teach the 

critically important components of technical surgery, the juxtaposition 

of hands and brain that cannot be learned by simply 

being told, or from observing, but from actually doing, according 

to Irving L. Kron, MD, in his presidential address. 

And therein lies the problem for our current trainees. For “developing 

these clinical skills is probably the most difficult thing 

that we do. And, as Norman Shumway stated in his AATS presidential 

address, ‘the hardest thing about cardiac surgery is getting 

to do it.’” 

The problem is real, according to Dr. Kron, who pointed out 

that he has heard of graduating residents who literally could not 

operate and went out into the real world, often at the expense 

of their patients and their own careers. 

“Let me lay the gauntlet down. This should never occur! We 

have failed our students, either by failing to teach, not giving 

them more time, or failing to counsel those few who should not 

be surgeons.” 

Why should you teach and mentor surgery? he asked. Training 

residents allows you to expand the range of your surgical 

skills to all those patients you come to treat. “Most importantly, 

you protect the patients of the future and perhaps eliminate 

New PARTNER 

Data Shared 

in Monday’s 

Plenary 

At Monday morning’s Plenary Session, 

D. Craig Miller, MD, of Stanford University 

presented the latest update on behalf 

of the PARTNER trial investigators. The 

study directly compared, in a randomized trial, 

the risk of neurological complications in 

657 patients surgical high-risk symptomatic 

patients with critical aortic stenosis receiving 

transcatheter aortic valve replacement 

(TAVR) vs. open replacement (AVR), as well 

as the difference between using a transapical 

or a transfemoral approach. 

The original report from the PARTNER 

(Placement of AoRTic TraNscathetER Valves) 

Trial (cohort B) in inoperable patients with 

aortic stenosis (AS) demonstrated superior 

survival and quality of life following TAVR 

compared to standard medical therapy; however, 

stroke occurred significantly more frequently 

with TAVR. Recently in PARTNER 

cohort A, in 699 randomized very high risk 

operative candidates, 1-year survival after 


TUESDAY ISSUE 

‘We can improve the teaching of these complex 

operations,’ said Irving L. Kron, MD. 

learning curves. If we can do this, then we will truly contribute 

to the welfare of our present and future patients.” 

“What is the best way to teach surgery?” Dr. Kron asked. 

“There has been a great deal of effort in streamlining residen- 


Lung Cancer a Focus 

In Monday GT Session 

Eugenio Pompeo, MD, and his colleagues 

from University of Rome 

Tor Vergata shared the results of their 

study comparing awake nonresectional 

or nonawake resectional lung volume 

reduction surgery (LVRS) during 

Monday’s General Thoracic Simultaneous 

Session. 

At 6 months there were significant 

improvements in both study groups in 

FEV1 and dyspnea index score, which 

were still significant in both groups at 

36 months. 

“Awake nonresectional LVRS 

showed significantly shorter hospital 

stay than the nonawake procedure. 

There were no differences between 

study groups in physiological improvements, 

freedom from contralateral 

treatment, and survival rates. 

“We speculate that compared to the 

nonawake procedure, awake LVRS can 

offer similar clinical benefit but a 

faster postoperative recovery,” Dr. 

Pompeo said. 

Mark J. Krasna, MD, of St. Joseph’s 

Medical Center and his colleagues 

looked at the ability of concurrent 

chemotherapy and high-dose radiation 

to increase the rate of mediastinal 

nodal sterilization in patients with 

N2/N3 non–small cell lung cancer 

(NSCLC). 

A total of 88% of 57 patients received 

radiation therapy and 91% received 

induction chemotherapy per 

protocol. Of these, 43 patients (75%) 

were evaluable; 37 patients underwent 

surgical resection (75% R0/25% R1). 

The median survival time was 26.6 

months and 1-year overall survival was 

77%. Median and 1-year progressionfree 

survival were 13.1 months and 

52%, respectively. 

“This study demonstrates the benefit 

of surgery resection after highdose 

chemoradiation therapy for 

stage III NSCLC,” Dr. Krasna said. 

Mortality on the waiting list and 

long-term survival after transplant of 

patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension 

(PAH) were addressed by 


Catherine Harrell/Elsevier Global Medical News

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P e n n s y l v a n i a C o n v e n t i o n C e n t e r P h i l a d e l p h i a , P A M a y 7 - 1 1 , 2 0 1 1 3 

TSRA Dwight C. McGoon Mentoring Award 

Shamus Carr, MD, Vice President of 

the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association, 

presented the TSRA Dwight C. Mc- 

Goon Award to John R. Doty, MD (right). 

The Dr. Dwight McGoon Award is presented 

to an individual who has significantly 

contributed to the clinical and educational 

development of thoracic surgery 

residents. The exemplary contributions 

of Dr. Doty are greatly appreciated, and 

should serve as an example to all surgical 

educators in the field. 

The mission of the Thoracic Surgery 

Residents Association (TSRA) is to represent 

the interests of all residents training in cardiothoracic surgery. The group was 

organized by residents and continues to be managed autonomously by residents in 

training programs. All current residents in cardiothoracic surgery are automatically 

granted membership in the TSRA. 

Martin Allred/Elsevier Global Medical News 

C. Walton Lillehei Resident Forum Award 

The 14th Annual C. Walton 

Lillehei Resident Forum Award 

was presented to 

Damien J. LaPar, MD, from 

the University of Virginia. The 

Lillehei Award is supported by 

an unrestricted educational 

grant from St. Jude Medical and 

was presented by Brett Thompson 

(left), Vice President of 

Marketing, St. Jude Medical, 

and Irving L. Kron, MD. 


Scientific Achievement Award 

Irving L. Kron, MD (right) presented the AATS Scientific 

Achievement Award, the association’s highest honor, to Marc 

DeLaval, MD (left) from the International Congenital Cardiac 

Centre, London, England. 

The Award was presented in recognition of Dr. DeLaval’s pioneering 

work in numerous 

aspects of 

congenital heart 

surgery, including 

the development of 

the Modified 

Blalock-Taussig 

shunt, early modeling 

of the Fontan 

circulation, and development 

of the 

concept of total 

cavopulmonary 

connection, all of 

which have led to 

innovation in the study of congenital heart disease for the next 

generation of surgeons. 

In addition to his scientific contributions, Dr. DeLaval has 

trained and nurtured young surgical scientists, teaching them 

the importance of good questions, rigorous science, and data 

analysis. His exceptionally introspective and critical thinking 

has helped develop the area of team performance monitoring 

and the examination of error in surgical therapy, now an integral 

part of our surgical thinking. 

More than 15 years ago the Association established its Scientific 

Achievement Award to recognize individuals who have 

made extraordinary scientific contributions to the field of thoracic 

surgery. Dr. DeLaval is the ninth recipient of this prestigious 

award. 


American Association for Thoracic Surgery 91st Annual Meeting 

 

New Anti-Coagulation for Mechanical Heart Valves 

 

 

Michael J. Mack MD 

 

 

 

A. Pieter Kappetein MD PhD 

 

 

 

Valve Choice in the 55 Year-old Patient 

John D. Puskas MD 

 

PROACT: Current Status of Reduced Anti-Coagulation Trial 

Date: May 9, 2011 Monday 

 

 

 

This session is an industry supported satellite symposium and is not part of the AATS Annual Meeting accredited program.

4 AATS 91 st Annual Meeting 

New Approaches Unveiled in CHD Symposium 

Anatomical repair with restoration of 

the morphological left ventricle to 

the systemic circulation can achieve 

low early morbidity and good mid-term survival, 

according to David J. Barron, MD, and 

his colleagues from the Birmingham Children’s 

Hospital. However, the investigators 

found that “continued surveillance is required 

for these patients to identify problems 

of late conduit stenosis, aortic valve regurgitation, 

and pulmonary venous baffle obstruction,” 

Dr. Barron said during Monday’s 

Congenital Heart Disease Simultaneous Scientific 

Symposium. 

Addressing the effects of normothermia 

and hypothermia on renal function, Massimo 

Caputo, MD, of the University of Bristol 

and his colleagues presented what they 

said was the first randomized trial to compare 

these effects in children undergoing 

congenital heart surgery. 

“Our results showed that normothermic 

strategy is not associated with an increased 

renal injury compared with hypothermia, 

adding strong new evidence on the safety of 

warm-heart surgery in the pediatric field,” 

he said. 

Illya M. Yemets, MD, and his colleagues 

from the Ukranian Children’s Cardiac Center 

and the Seattle Children’s Hospital evaluated 

operative blood management using 

autologous umbilical cord blood transfusion 

(AUCBT) in neonates undergoing cardiac 

Massimo Caputo, MD, presented data demonstrating the 

safety of warm-heart surgery in pediatric patients. 

surgery. They compared 12 consecutive 

neonates with prenatally diagnosed with d- 

TGA who underwent arterial switch operations 

(ASOs) in the first hours of life using 

AUCBT with 23 neonates who had postnatally 

diagnosed d-TGA and underwent ASO 

in the first weeks using homologous donor 

blood. The researchers found no significant 

differences in postoperative clinical profiles, 

including time to extubation, days spent in 

the ICU and the hospital, or hematocrit levels 

on the first day after surgery. There were 

no hospital deaths and no umbilical cord 

blood transfusion–related side effects. 

“AUCBT is a safe and efficient alternative 

to homologous blood transfusion in neonatal 

open heart surgery,” said Dr. Yemets. 

Results of the first 

study investigating the 

growth of transplanted 

hearts with regard to 

size mismatch between 

donor and recipients 

were presented by Eva 

Maria Delmo Walter, 

MD, and Roland Hetzer, 

MD, of Deutsches 

Herzzentrum Berlin. 

The researchers reviewed 

the medical and 

echocardiographic 

records of 147 children 

undergoing orthotopic 


heart transplantation 

and found that donorrecipient 

size mismatch 

did not influence the 

continuous growth of 

the measured parameters. All calculated z- 

scores at 1, 2-5, and 6-10 years posttransplantation 

were normal when indexed to 

body surface area. 

It is not known whether risks of delayed 

intervention in congenital heart lesions are 

offset by benefits of growth and maturation, 

according to Edward J. Hickey, MD, and his 

colleagues at the Hospital for Sick Children. 

In their study, they found that low 

birth weight was a robust and independent 

predictor of death within the first year of life. 

Survival between the control group and delayed 

children less than 2.0 kg was identical 

(78% at 1 year). 

“For very low birth weight neonates (those 

less than 2.0 kg) with congenital heart defects, 

imposed delays in intervention neither 

compromise nor improve survival. Other 

factors instead appear to account for survival 

differences, including lesion type, associated 

noncardiac congenital defects, and antenatal 

diagnosis,” Dr. Hickey concluded. 

Contemporary outcomes data for adult 

patients undergoing surgery for congenital 

heart disease are limited, noted Christopher 

E. Mascio, MD, of the University of 

Louisville and his colleagues. 

“Most adult congenital heart operations 

are performed in the third and fourth 

decades of life,” he stated. “Nearly half of 

adult congenital operations are for right 

heart pathology and/or abnormal cardiac 

rhythm. A significant proportion of patients 

have postoperative complications, but mortality 

is generally low. Among these operations, 

Fontan revision or conversion carries 

the highest morbidity and mortality risk,” 


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• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Workshop 

• Latest Pain Management & Physical Therapy 

• Lung Transplantation 

• Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT) 

Foundation for the Advancement 

of CardioThoracic Surgical Care 

8th ANNUAL CARDIOVASCULAR - THORACIC (CVT) CRITICAL CARE 2011 

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Thurs, Sept 22 - Sat, Sept 24, 2011 

Endorsed by: 

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Multi-Disciplinary CME Conference for the CVT Critical Care Team 

Surgeons, Interventionalists, Intensivists, Anesthesiologists, Hospitalists, 

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• Cerebral Function Monitoring 

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This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) 

through the joint sponsorship of the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Foundation for the Advancement of CardioThoracic Surgical Care. 

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians. 

This activity has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s) TM 

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CHD cont. from page 4 

Dr. Mascio concluded. 

On behalf of his colleagues at the Birmingham 

Children’s Hospital, Dr. Barron addressed 

the controversy surrounding early 

outcomes of patients with different morphologic 

subtypes of hypoplastic left heart 

syndrome (HLHS) undergoing the Norwood 

procedure. They sought to determine 

the influence of known risk factors on early 

survival in a cohort of Sano-Norwood patients 

with right ventricle to pulmonary 

artery conduits as the source of pulmonary 

David J. Barron, MD, discussed the 

benefits of using the Sano-Norwood 

procedure. 

blood flow and, in particular, to examine the 

influence of morphologic subtype on this 

outcome. As reported in several previous 

studies in which Blalog-Taussig shunts were 

used, weight emerged as an important factor 

associated with reduced survival following 

the modified Norwood procedure, 

Dr. Barron said. “Our data adds evidence to 

the benefits of the Sano modification for 

higher-risk atypical morphologic variants, 

such as unbalanced complete AV canal defects, 

as well as for the apparently higher-risk 

aortic atresia-mitral stenosis subtype of 

HLHS.” 

■ 


Adult Cardiac Surgery Explored 

The increasing use of arterial conduits 

represents a paradigm shift in 

bypass surgery. In contrast to vein 

grafts, arterial grafts are dynamic and their 

flow patterns are influenced by arterial 

tone and competitive flow, according to 

David Glineur, MD, of the Cliniques Universitaires 

St.-Luc, who led off Monday’s 

Adult Cardiac Surgery Simultaneous Symposium. 

Dr. Glineur and his colleagues prospectively 

enrolled 210 consecutive candidates 

for coronary revascularization. Revascularization 

of the right coronary artery was randomly 

performed with saphenous vein 

grafts (SVG) in 81 patients (group 1), with 

the in-situ right gastroepiploic artery 

(RGEA) in 92 patients (group 2) and with 

a right ITA (RITA) used in a Y-composite 

fashion in 37 (group 3). 

In a multivariate analysis, graft-dependent 

flow pattern was positively influenced 

by the presence of a SVG (odds ratio, 6.1) 

and negatively by the minimal lumen diameter 

(MLD) (OR, 0.236). In the RGEA 

and RITA groups, the proportion of functional 

grafts was higher when MLD was below 

a threshold value lying in the third 

MLD quartile (0.64 to 1.30 mm). 

“Our findings suggest 

that the classic 

methodology for assessing 

the severity of 

target vessel stenosis, 

namely percentage 

stenosis by visual inspection, 

may be inappropriate 

when 

considering the use 

of arterial conduits. 

We demonstrated 

that the minimal luminal 

diameter correlates 

far better with 

arterial graft functionality 

than the 

percent stenosis, and 

this measure is a more 

relevant quantification 

of the degree of competitive 

flow, a determinant 

in long-term 

arterial graft functionality,” 

he said. 

The treatment of 

patients with ischemic 

cardiomyopathy 

(ICM) and concomitant 

mitral regurgitation 

can be associated 

with reduced longterm 

survival. To determine 

how mitral 

valve repair vs. replacement 

affects the 

subsequent outcome, Simon Maltais, MD, 

and his colleagues at the Mayo Medical 

School compared 312 patients who underwent 

mitral valve repair (MVP) with 

119 who had mitral valve replacement 

(MVR) following combined coronary 

artery bypass grafting (CABG) and mitral 

valve surgery. 

Survival at 1, 5, and 10 years was 82.7%, 

55.2%, and 24.3% for the entire group. Preoperative 

conditions such as renal dys- 

Umberto Benedetto, MD, said the use of prophylactic 

tricuspid annuloplasty did not add operative risk. 

David Glineur, MD, discussed revascularization during 

Monday’s Adult Cardiac Simultaneous Symposium. 

Catherine Harrell/Elsevier Global Medical News 

function, prior CABG, lower left ventricular 

ejection fraction, diabetes, and old age 

were the only significant predictors of mortality. 

The survival was not affected by 

MVP vs. MVR. 

Umberto Benedetto, MD, and his colleagues 

at the University of Rome La 

Sapienza presented the results of their study, 

which was conducted to better understand 

the role of prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty 

in patients with tricuspid regurgitation 

(TR). At 12-month follow-up, TR was 

completely absent in 71% of patients who 

received tricuspid annuloplasty and in 19% 

of patients who did not, a significant difference. 

Severe TR (greater than or equal to 

degree 3) was present in none of the patients 

who received tricuspid annuloplasty and in 

38% of patients who did not, also a significant 

difference. 

“Prophylactic tricuspid annuloplasty in 

patients with dilated tricuspid annulus having 

mitral valve surgery did not add operative 

risk, and it was associated with a reduced 

rate of TR progression,” he said. 

To characterize trends in CABG over the 

last decade, Andrew W. ElBardissi, MD, and 

his colleagues at Brigham and Women’s Hospital 

analyzed the Society of Thoracic Surgeon’s 

(STS) adult cardiac surgery database. 

In 1999-2008, 1,475,545 patients underwent 

isolated CABG at STS-participating institutions. 

They found that the predicted 

operative mortality did not change significantly 

over time. The observed mortality 

rate declined significantly from 2.6% in 1999 

to 1.9% in 2008, a significant relative risk reduction 

of 31%. 

“Over the past decade, in a cohort of 1.5 

million patients whose operative risk has not 

changed, the mortality and stroke rates after 

CABG have decreased by one-third and 

one-quarter, respectively. [Furthermore,] 

there has been a dramatic increase in the use 

of the internal mammary artery for revascularization,” 

said Dr. ElBardissi. 

Rakesh M. Suri, MD, Harold M. 

Burkhart, MD, and colleagues at the Mayo 

Clinic compared early outcomes and major 

adverse event (MAE) rates of propensitymatched 

patients undergoing robotic vs. 

open mitral valve repair of all prolapse subsets, 

using identical repair techniques. 

In all, 95 propensity-matched pairs were 

identified undergoing open or robotic mitral 

valve repair. Leaflet prolapse categories 

were similar between the two groups, and 

Continued on following page 



Continued from previous page 

complete mitral valve repair was performed 

using identical techniques. 

Early survival was 100%. Dismissal MR 

grade was similar in both groups, and all robotic 

patients had less than or equal to mild 

residual MR at the 1-month follow-up, said 

Dr. Suri. There were no significant differences 

in stroke, renal complications, perioperative 

MI, infection, reoperation for 

bleeding, blood product use, or postoperative 

atrial fibrillation. Freedom from MAE 

was excellent in both groups. Robotic patients 

had significantly shorter median durations 

of ICU stay, postoperative ventilation, 

and hospital stay than did those 

undergoing an open repair. 

“It is important that we convey to patients 

and cardiologists that MAE rates following 

open and robotic mitral valve repair are 

much lower than recently reported in percutaneous 

trials, thus establishing a benchmark 

against which future nonsurgical therapies 

should be evaluated,” Dr. Suri said. 

“Up to 43% of Maze procedure cases present 

with atrial fibrillation during postoperative 

day 2-5,” according to William Wang, 

less than 120 per min) for 5 days. The end 

points were either the onset of recurrent atrial 

fibrillation or discharge to home. 

The prevalence of postoperative recurrence 

of AF was significantly less in the study 

group compared with controls. The length of 

hospital stay was most significantly reduced 

in the study group, and the mean costs of hospital 

stay were significantly different compared 

with those for the control group. 

“Biatrial overdrive pacing is well tolerated 

and more effective in preventing the early 

recurrence of atrial fibrillation after the 

Maze procedure,” he said, adding that further 

study on long-term results is needed. 

The impact of high panel reactive antibody 

(PRA) titers on post–orthotopic heart transplantation 

(OHT) outcomes was examined 

in a review of prospectively collected United 

Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) data 

conducted by Timothy J. George, MD, and 

colleagues at the Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions. 

Patients bridged to OHT with either 

a Heartmate II (HMII) or Heartmate 

XVE (XVE) from January 2004 to December 

2009 were stratified primarily by device 

type, and were secondarily grouped by high 

PRA (greater than 25%) vs. low PRA (0%) 

activity for comparisons. 

High PRA was significantly more common 

CREATED FOR SURGERY 

designed for comfort 

among XVE patients than among the HMII 

patients, but there was no 30-day or 1-year survival 

difference based on PRA activity. Device 

type did not affect post-OHT survival, but a 

subgroup analysis of HMII patients showed 

high PRA class was associated with worse 30- 

day mortality. PRA activity did not affect rejection 

rates in the year after OHT for either 

device type. However, high PRA was significantly 

associated with higher rates of primary 

graft dysfunction (PGD) for both devices. 

“Although high PRA slightly increases the 

risk of 30-day mortality in HMII patients, 

highly sensitized patients still experience excellent 

outcomes,” Dr. George said. ■ 

Other Loupes 

Andrew W. ElBardissi, MD, presented 

a database anaylsis of trends in CABG. 

MD. To determine whether overdrive biatrial 

pacing may prevent the recurrence of atrial 

fibrillation after a Maze procedure, Dr. Wang 

and his colleagues from Scripps Memorial 

Hospital and Shanxi Cardiovascular Hospital 

conducted a randomized, prospective 

study of 100 patients (44 men) undergoing 

mitral valve with or without tricuspid valve 

surgery concomitant with a Maze procedure 

between January 2002 and December 2008. 

Patients were randomized into a group using 

overdrive biatrial pacing and a control group 

without pacing. One pacing wire was attached 

to the crista terminalis area of the right 

atrium and the other to the Bachmann’s bundle 

area in the roof of the left atrium. The 

atria were paced continuously in AAI mode 

at a rate of 80 pulses per minute or 10 pulses 

above the underlying rate (maximum rate, 


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Notice of AATS 

Annual Business 

Meeting 

Members Only 

Executive Session 

Tuesday, May 10 

5:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. 

Ballroom AB 

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Inaugural Mitral Conclave Draws 1,000 Attendees 

Program Chair David H. Adams sought 

to avoid a ‘single-approach’ meeting. 

The American Association for Thoracic 

Surgery’s first-ever Mitral Conclave 

was held on Thursday and Friday 

just prior to the AATS Annual Meeting. 

The world’s leading experts in mitral valve 

disease convened to discuss management 

guidelines, imaging, pathology, minimally 

invasive procedures, percutaneous approaches, 

surgical techniques, devices, and 

long-term results. 

“With 39 faculty and 250 presentations, 

including selected abstracts and videos, our 

goal was to have a comprehensive meeting 

focused on mitral valve disease that would allow 

attendees to gain exposure to all of the 

common approaches used in the top centers 

throughout the world,” said Program Director 

David H. Adams, MD. 

“We continue to see tremendous progress 

in our understanding of mitral disease intervention, 

and a great interest among surgeons 

in learning and advancing mitral valve 

repair strategies,” said Dr. Adams, the Marie- 

Josée and Henry R. Kravis Professor and 

chairman of the department of cardiothoracic 

surgery at the Mount Sinai Medical 

Center, New York. 

More than 1,000 individuals – including 

about 800 physicians – from 66 countries 

participated. Industry support was provided 

by Edwards Lifesciences LLC (Premier Platinum), 

Metronic, Inc. (Platinum), Abbott 

Vascular (Gold), Sorin Heart Valves (Gold), 

and St. Jude Medical Inc. (Bronze). 

“I figured we might get 250 physicians, 

and would have considered that a success. 

This is fantastic,” said AATS President Irving 

L. Kron, MD. Presentations included lectures, 

expert video sessions, and “Presentations 

on Demand,” accessible on video 

screens positioned in the exhibit hall. 

In a plenary address, Robert O. Bonow, 

MD, said that current valvular heart disease 

guidelines are based largely on expert opinion 

rather than evidence from clinical trials. 

Referring to the 2008 revised joint guidelines 

from the American College of Cardiology/American 

Heart Association and the 

2007 European Society of Cardiology guidelines, 

he said, “Unfortunately, the evidence 

base underpinning them is limited by an inadequate 

number of randomized clinical trials. 

We as a community of cardiologists and 

Special Reception Tonight 

The AATS Special Reception will be held tonight from 7:00 p.m. to 

10:00 p.m at the National Constitution Center. The NCC is located 

within Independence National Historic Park, just two blocks from the 

Liberty Bell and Independence Hall. All meeting attendees and exhibitors 

are welcome. Tickets are $75.00 per person. 

Alain F. Carpentier, MD, delivered the 

Conclave Honored Lecture. 

AATS 

surgeons really need to provide more evidence-based 

information to come up with 

true guidelines and performance measures.” 

The question of whether mitral valve repair 

should be considered in all patients 

with severe mitral valve regurgitation is still 

being debated. “It’s at least likely that certain 

patient subsets would benefit, but current 

data are insufficient to determine which 

ones,” said Dr. Bonow, the Goldberg Distinguished 

Professor of Cardiology at 

Northwestern University. 

As an example of ambiguity, U.S. guidelines 

recommend that patients who are considered 

eligible for repair be referred to an 

“experienced center,” but they don’t provide 

criteria for determining that status. Moreover, 

individual surgeon volume and experience 

clearly predict successful mitral repair 

outcomes, even within one institution. 

Dr. Bonow is optimistic that useful data 

will come from two ongoing trials sponsored 

by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

via the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials 

Network. One trial will compare outcomes 

in patients with moderate ischemic mitral regurgitation 

treated by coronary artery bypass 

grafting (CABG) alone versus those who receive 

CABG plus mitral valve repair. The 

other will compare mitral valve repair versus 

replacement in patients with severe chronic 

ischemic MR. 

Dr. Adams presented the Mitral Conclave 

Career Achievement Award to the legendary 

Alain F. Carpentier, MD, whose 

1983 landmark paper, “Cardiac Valve 

Surgery – the ‘French Correction,’ ” is 

credited with heralding the modern era of 

mitral valve reconstructive surgery. Professor 

Carpentier, Emeritus Chief of the department 

of cardiovascular surgery at Hôpital 

Européen Georges Pompidou, Paris, delivered 

the Conclave Honored Lecture, “Revisiting 

the French Correction,” providing a 

fresh perspective on his original paper. 

A series of “mini debates” addressed controversies 

surrounding the use of annuloplasty 

rings (flexible versus remodeling versus 

no ring at all), minimally invasive surgery 

(for all patients versus for some), and the correct 

approach for specific clinical scenarios 

of tricuspid valve disease. 

Dr. Adams sees the diversity of opinion 

and approaches to mitral valve disease as a 

positive thing. “I didn’t want to make this a 

‘single-approach’ meeting. I wanted our faculty 

to show all of the approaches in mitral 

valve repair so individual surgeons could 

then make their own judgments as to which 

might best fit their own practices and patient 

profiles. Attendees have come to the Conclave 

for 2 days and have seen the world’s mitral 

authorities explain their own techniques 

and rationales. That creates a foundation for 

continued personal learning and surgical advancement.” 

The next Aortic Symposium will be held 

April 26-27, 2012, and the next Mitral 

Conclave will take place May 2-3, 2013, 

both in New York. Proceedings from the 

2011 Mitral Conclave will be published in 

an upcoming supplement to The Journal of 

Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. ■ 

DAILY INFO 

Continued from page 1 

Visit us at booth 400. 

I SEE UNRIVALED 

SUPPORT THRU 

my smallest possible incision. 

MIVS Redefined > THRUPORT SYSTEMS > TECHNOLOGY > TRAINING > SUPPORT 

Edwards, Edwards Lifesciences, the stylized E logo, and ThruPort are trademarks of Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. 

© 2011 Edwards Lifesciences Corporation. All rights reserved. AR06162 

Edwards Lifesciences | edwards.com 

USA | Switzerland | Japan | Singapore | Brazil 

5:00 PM – 5:45 AM 

AATS Executive Session (AATS 

Members Only) 

7:00 PM – 10:00 PM 

AATS Special Reception at the 

National Constitution Center 

(Attendees and exhibitors are welcome 

to purchase tickets.) 

WEDNESDAY 

7:00 AM – 9:00 AM 

Emerging Technologies and 

Techniques Forum 

9:00 AM – 10:30 AM 

Sex and Gender: The Impact on 

Disease and Patient Outcomes in 

Cardiothoracic Surgery 

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM 

Controversies in Cardiothoracic 

Surgery 

Striking the Utility/Futility Balance as 

Transcatheter Valve Implantation 

(TAVI) Enters the Marketplace 

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM 

For the Care of the Cardiothoracic 

Surgery Patient, the Canadian System 

Is Superior to the U.S. System


Basic Science Lecture: 

Engage in Research 

Ethicon 

Thoracic surgeons constitute a potent 

and not yet fully realized resource 

for important biomedical research, 

Susan B. Shurin, MD, said during 

the Basic Science Lecture on Monday. 

“We would like to invite everyone in this 

room to engage in research in one way or 

another,” she said. “We would like to see all 

thoracic surgeons identifying, studying, 

and answering questions of clinical importance, 

both in comparative effectiveness 

research and in obtaining materials for 

basic research. We believe the operating 

room is an ideal laboratory.” Surgeons 

should “create and encourage a culture 

where everyone is involved in research.” 

“We have far too many important questions 

to not get answers, and we’ll only do 

that if the people on the ground really understand 

this.” 

Dr. Shurin, acting director of the National 

Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

since December 2009, urged thoracic surgeons 

to proactively foster surgeon researchers, 

and promised that her Institute 

will be there to help. 

“We want you to identify your stars early 

and protect and nurture them in their careers. 

We’re excited and thrilled to work 

with you as we go forward.” 

In addition to more clinical studies, Dr. 

Shurin also called on at least some thoracic 

surgeons to engage in key emerging areas 

of biomedical research – regenerative medicine, 

nanotechnology, engineering, and 

Photo Correction 

The Sunday 

issue of the AATS 

Daily News (p. 18) 

had the wrong 

photo for Harold 

M. Burkhart, MD. 

The correct photo 

is at right. 

Susan B. Shurin, MD 

genomics – to make sure that these nascent 

fields realize their full potential. 

Dr. Shurin acknowledged that federal 

funding for biomedical research has been, at 

best, flat over the past decade, and it even 

dropped a bit when measured in constant 

dollars. Even though more than half of the 

money allocated to the National Institutes of 

Health (NIH) goes to funding extramural 

research, the success rate of research grant applications 

dropped from about 30% in the 

1990s and into early 2002. During the past 

6 years the rate has stayed close to 20%. And 

while the number of Ph.D. researchers rose 

during the early 2000s, the number of MDs 

receiving NIH research grants stayed flat. 

Some observers have foreseen the demise 

of physician-scientists for about 30 years. 

In addition to funding constraints, other 

changes in medicine have worked against 

encouraging physicians to pursue a career 

in research. But the NIH has taken 

steps to make research easier for 

surgeons, such as in 2006 cutting 

the time commitment for mentoring 

training awards from 75% 

of a surgeon’s time to 50%. 

Dr. Shurin put a decidedly optimistic 

spin on the future of thoracic 

surgeons in research. 

“There has never been more opportunity 

to advance surgical research,” 

she concluded. ■ 


Endo-Surgery 

Linear Cutter 

Developed in collaboration 

with surgeons worldwide 

to deliver superior 

hemostasis.* To learn more 

about innovative solutions 

from EES, visit us at AATS, 

booth #435. 

2010-2011 AATS Council 

better innovation together 

(standing from left to right) R. Morton Bolman, III, MD, Boston, 

Massachusetts; G. Alec Patterson, MD, St. Louis, Missouri; Hiroshi 

Date, MD, Kyoto, Japan; Joseph S. Coselli, MD, Houston, Texas; 

Vaughn A. Starnes, MD, Los Angeles, California; Bartley P. Griffith, 

MD, Baltimore, Maryland; John D. Puskas, MD, Atlanta, Georgia 

(seated from left to right) Lawrence H. Cohn, MD, Editor, Boston, 

Massachusetts; Thoralf M. Sundt, III, MD, Secretary, Boston, 

Massachusetts; Hartzell V. Schaff, MD, Vice President, Rochester, 

Minnesota; Irving L. Kron, MD, President, Charlottesville, Virginia; 

Craig R. Smith, MD, President-Elect, New York, New York; David J. 

Sugarbaker, MD, Treasurer, Boston, Massachusetts; Shaf Keshavjee, 

MD, Toronto, Canada 

AATS 

Connect with us at ethiconendosurgery.com 

*Preclinical animate study comparing the EES Linear Cutter (NTLC75), 

the Ethicon Endo-Surgery TLC75 and the DST Series GIA 80 

(3.8mm cartridge). Data on file. 

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc., a Johnson & Johnson company 

©2011 Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 

DSL 10-0904.LCA


2011 AATS Annual Meeting Exhibitors 

A 

A&E Medical Corporation 1106 

2310 South Miami Blvd., Ste. 240, Durham, NC 

27703-5796 

www.aemedical.com 

A&E Medical products include MYO/Wire® temporary pacing 

wires, MYO/Wire II sternum sires, MYO/Punch rotating aortic 

punch, DVR2 for minimally invasive saphenous vein harvest, 

and DoubleWire high-strength sternal closure system. 

Abbott Vascular 

S4 

4045 Campbell Ave., Menlo Park, CA 94025 

www.abbottvascular.com 

Abbott Vascular, a division of Abbott, is one of the world’s leading 

vascular care businesses. Abbott Vascular is uniquely focused 

on transforming the treatment of vascular disease and improving 

patient care by combining the latest medical device innovations 

with world-class pharmaceuticals, investing in research 

and development, and advancing medicine through training 

and education. 

ABIOMED, Inc. 106 

22 Cherry Hill Dr., Danvers, MA 01923 

www.abiomed.com 

Abiomed, Inc. is a leading provider of breakthrough heart support 

technologies enabling safer revascularization, heart muscle 

recovery, and cost-effective patient care. 

LifeLike 

BioTissue, 

Inc. 

American 

Heart 

Association 

Concourse A 

ISMICS 

Entrance Hall A 

STS DC OFFICE 

Karl Storz Endoscopy- 

America, Inc. 

Accuray Incorporated 108 

1310 Chesapeake Terrace, Sunnyvale, CA 94089 

www.accuray.com 

As a proven solution for treating medically and surgically inoperable 

lung cancer patients and those seeking an alternative to 

surgery, the CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System precisely 

tracks respiratory motion to noninvasively ablate tumors with 

unparalleled healthy tissue preservation. 

Acute Innovations 541 

21421 NW Jacobson Rd., Ste. 700, Hillsboro, 

OR 97124 

www.acuteinnovations.com 

Furthering its reputation as a leader in thoracic stabilization, 

ACUTE Innovations® introduces the AcuTie® sternal closure system. 

Attend our symposium and training event to learn how its 

design utilizes the ease of wire with the stability of a plate. 

ACUTE will continue showcasing the RibLoc and BioBridge 

rib stabilization plates. 

Aesculap, Inc. 112 

3773 Corporate Pkwy. Center, Valley, PA 18034 

www.aesculap.com 

Aesculap is a member of the B. Braun family of healthcare companies 

and the world’s largest manufacturer of surgical instrumentation. 

For more than 138 years, Aesculap has provided 

customers with surgical instrumentation and implants for neurosurgery, 

ENT, plastic and reconstructive, thoracic, micro-vascular, 

cardiovascular, orthopedic, and laparoscopic surgery. 

GE 

Healthcare 

AATS Daily News Advertisers 

American Association for 

Thoracic Surgery 

A1 

900 Cummings Center, #221-U, Beverly, 

MA 01915 

www.aats.org 

Founded in 1917, the American Association for Thoracic 

Surgery is dedicated to excellence in research, education, and 

innovation in cardiothoracic surgery and has become an international 

professional organization of more than 1,200 of the 

world’s foremost cardiothoracic surgeons. 

American College of Surgeons 123 

633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611 

www.facs.org 

The Thoracic Surgery Home Skills Kit was designed for patients 

requiring a lung resection/biopsy operation. The program 

includes a booklet supporting the surgeon and patient with the 

information needed for informed choice, an instructional DVD 

allowing patients to visualize their experience and the skills 

needed for full participation in recovery, and a program evaluation 

for patients and surgeons. 

Applied Fiberoptics/Vitalcor, Inc. 1040 

100 E. Chestnut Ave., Westmont, IL 60559 

www.appliedfiboroptics.com 

Introducing the reusable vascular bulldog/dingo clamps, latexfree 

coronary artery balloon cannulae with self-inflating balloon 

for cardioplegia delivery, titanium and stainless steel instruments/retractors 

designed for open heart surgery, reusable 

stabilizer for beating heart surgery, Axiom wound drains with 

special clot-stop coating, and new interpleural anesthesia 

catheter. The Gemini headlight is a lightweight and perfectly 

balanced sleek, ultra-low-profile designed headlight that eliminates 

the head-ramming effect during surgery. The Sunbeam 

300-watt xenon light source delivers instant clean white light 

for superb tissue definition in hard-to-see cavities. 

ATMOS, Inc. 430 

3717 Huckleberry Rd., Allentown, PA 18104 

www.atmosmed.com 

ATMOS manufactures high-quality, cost-effective medical devices. 

With over 100 years of experience in medical suction, AT- 

MOS is proud to introduce the most advanced generation of 

digital thoracic drainage systems. Featuring real-time flow measurement 

and complete therapy documentation, thoracic 

drainage is elevated to a new level of safety and precision. 

AtriCure, Inc. 635 

6217 Central Park Dr., West Chester, OH 45069 

www.atricure.com 

AtriCure, a leader in cardiac surgical ablation devices featuring 

the Isolator SynergyTM bipolar RF clamp, the Isolator LinearTM 

pen, and the Cryo ICETM cryoablation probe. Atri- 

Cure’s portfolio includes the AtriClipTM LAA exclusion system, 

the only device specifically approved for LAA exclusion. 

Science. Innovation. Results. 

Atrium Medical Corporation 424 

5 Wentworth Dr., Hudson, NH 03051 

www.atriummed.com 

See Atrium’s complete line of thoracic drainage devices, including 

the Express Mini 500 TM and Pneumostat TM mobile 

chest drains, Ocean TM water seal, Oasis TM dry suction and 

Express TM dry seal chest drains, coated and uncoated PVC 

and silicone thoracic catheters, PleuraGuide TM disposable 

chest tube kit, and Ultramax TM knitted double-velour vascular 

grafts. 

B 

Baxter Healthcare 1013 

One Baxter Pkwy., DF323E, Deerfield, IL 60015 

www.baxterbiosurgery.com 

Baxter is a global, diversified healthcare company with expertise 

in medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology. 

The company continues its quest for advancing biosurgery by offering 

a comprehensive line of products for hemostasis and sealing, 

adhesion reduction solution, and preparation/delivery devices 

based on the latest scientific advances in the field. 

Berlin Heart 215 

200 Valley Wood Rd., Ste. B400, The Woodlands, 

TX 77380 

www.berlinheart.com 

Berlin Heart is the only company worldwide that manufactures 

and distributes implantable (INCOR®) and paracorporeal 

(EXCOR®) VADs for patients of every age and size with cardiovascular 

disease. EXCOR Pediatric is approved for clinical investigation 

in the U.S. 

BFW, Inc. 540 

2307 River Rd., #103, Louisville, KY 40206 

www.bfwinc.com 

Recognized worldwide for unmatched design and engineering 

in surgical illumination, from its Thru-the-Lens headlight 

video system to the groundbreaking 10,000-hour Chroma- 

LUME turbo plasma headlight system, or the incredibly 

bright and portable VistaView II LED, BFW is the technological 

leader offering the most dependable headlight illumination 

systems in the medical field today. 

Biomet Microfixation 325 

1520 Tradeport Dr., Jacksonville, FL 32218 

www.biometmicrofixation.com 

Biomet Microfixation is a leading global healthcare provider of 

orthopedic products. Our thoracic portfolio includes the Pectus 

Bar for repair of pectus excavatum and the SternaLock Blu 

Primary Closure System for sternal closure. The Blu System 

aligns and stabilizes the sternum after sternotomy and enables 

easier closure after minimally invasive access. 

Boss Instruments, Ltd. 1117 

395 Reas Ford Rd., Ste. 120, Earlysville, VA 22936 

www.bossinst.com 

BOSS Instruments concentrates on the global development and 

distribution of specialty lines of surgical instruments in disciplines 

such as cardiovascular/thoracic, neuro, spine, orthopedic, 

ENT, and ophthalmic surgery. Displayed will be high-quality 

German-crafted surgical instruments and retractors for cardiovascular, 

thoracic, and minimally invasive cardiac surgery. 

C 

Cadence Pharmaceuticals 114 

918 N. Waterford Ln., Wilmington, DE 19808 

www.cadencepharm.com 

Cadence Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focused 

on in-licensing, developing, and commercializing proprietary 

product candidates principally for use in the hospital setting. 

The company is currently marketing OFIRMEV (intravenous acetaminophen) 

for the treatment of acute pain and fever. 

California Medical Laboratories 1029 

1570 Sunland Ln., Costa Mesa, CA 92626 

Continued on following page



www.calmedlab.com 

California Medical Laboratories is a manufacturer of cardiovascular 

cannulae; catheters; perfusion; arrays of cardioplegia 

delivery, chest drainage, and minimally invasive products; and 

suction and venting devices. We look forward to seeing you at 

Booth #1029 to discuss recent developments. 

Cardiogenesis Corp. 210 

11 Musick, Irvine, CA 92618 

www.cardiogenesis.com 

Cardiogenesis Corporation is a global leader of innovative therapies 

for ischemic cardiac disease. We are innovating to provide minimally 

invasive robotic and thoracoscopic TMR delivery systems for 

the treatment of patients suffering from debilitating angina. 

CardioNet 642 

227 Washington St., 2nd Floor, Conshohocken, 

PA 19428 

www.cardionet.com 

CardioNet is the leading provider of a comprehensive suite of 

cardiac arrhythmia monitoring services for diagnosing patients 

and monitoring treatment. The CardioNet AF Management 

Program is the most robust and comprehensive AF data available, 

providing physicians with the information they need to 

better diagnose, treat, and manage their patients. 

Cardiovascular Research 

Foundation 1115 

111 E 59th St., New York, NY 10022 

www.tctconference.com 

The Cardiovascular Research Foundation is an independent, 

academically focused nonprofit organization dedicated to improving 

the survival and quality of life for people with cardiovascular 

disease through research and education. Since its inception in 

1990, CRF has played a major role in realizing dramatic improvements 

in the lives of countless numbers of patients by establishing 

the safe use of new technologies and therapies in the subspecialty 

of interventional cardiology and endovascular medicine. 

CareFusion 207 

11400 Tomahawk Crk. Pkwy., Ste. 310, Leawood, 

KS 66211 

www.carefusion.com 

ChloraPrep applicators help improve patient outcomes by reducing 

skin microorganisms that can cause bloodstream infections (BSIs) 

and surgical site infections (SSIs). The 2% CHG/70% IPA formulation 

and single-use applicators provide a proven system for 

infection control compliance across major and minor procedures. 

Caris Life Sciences 104 

6655 MacArthur Blvd., Irving, TX 75039 

www.carisls.com 

Caris Target Now evidence-based molecular profiling examines 

a patient’s tumor, providing a customized biomarker 

analysis and matched treatment guidance specific to that tumor’s 

molecular profile. Caris Target Now provides a simple report 

indicating the cancer therapies that are most likely to be effective 

and those likely to be ineffective. 

CAS Medical Systems, Inc. 220 

44 E. Industrial Rd., Branford, CT 06405 

www.casmed.com 

CASMED, a leader in vital signs monitoring systems, presents 

the innovative FORE-SIGHT® cerebral oximeter for noninvasive, 

continuous monitoring of absolute cerebral tissue oxygen 

saturation. This intelligent device enables tailored patient 

management and a reduction in catastrophic desaturation 

events. Tel: 800-227-4414. 

Castlewood Surgical 729 

91 Main St., Ste. 302, Concord, MA 01742 

www.castlewoodsurgical.com 

Castlewood Surgical markets the Cyclone System. The Cyclone 

facilitates hand-sewn clampless proximal anastomoses 

during OPCAB procedures. 

Ceremed 331 

3643 Lenawee Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90016 

www.ceremed.com 

Ceremed, Inc. is a medical device company located in Los Angeles. 

Based in polymer technology, Ceremed’s primary focus is a 

water-soluble, implantable material. The Alkaline Oxide 

Copolymer (AOC) is BiodissolvableTM and removed from the 

body unchanged and unmetabolized. It has numerous applications 

and is available in many different variations. 

Chase Medical, Inc. 326 

1876 Firman Dr., Richardson, TX 75081 

www.chasemedical.com 

Chase Medical manufactures the Triumph TM aortic occlusion 

and perfusion cannula, a direct method of occluding the aorta 

vs. cross-clamping. Chase also offers a platform of off-pump 

surgery products including the TRIPOD TM heart stabilization 

system, a solid-metal arm with unique rotating foot pads. 

Clear Catheter Systems 730 

2200 NE Neff, Ste. 204, Bend, OR 97701 

www.pleuraflow.com 

Clear Catheter will be demonstrating their breakthrough product, 

Pleuraflow active tube clearance system! Pleuraflow is a 

unique and proprietary product designed to actively keep chest 

drains from clogging, helping to prevent complications and increased 

costs related to chest tube drainage issues. Pleuraflow, 

clearing the pathway to recovery! 

Cook Medical 835 

P.O. Box 489, Bloomington, IN 47402-0489 

www.cookmedical.com 

Founded in 1963, Cook® Medical pioneered many of the medical 

devices now commonly used to perform minimally invasive 

medical procedures throughout the body. Today, the company 

integrates medical devices, drugs, and biologic grafts to enhance 

patient safety and improve clinical outcomes. 

Cormatrix Cardiovascular, Inc. 429 

1615 Village Square Blvd, Ste. 5, Tallahassee, 

FL 32309 

www.cormatrix.com 

CorMatrix® Cardiovascular markets its ECM® technology biomaterial 

devices for pericardial closure and cardiac tissue repair, and is 

currently conducting preclinical studies to evaluate future applications 

in heart failure as well as other cardiovascular applications. 

Covidien 521 

555 Long Wharf Dr., New Haven, CT 06511 

www.covidien.com 

Covidien is a leading global healthcare products company that 

creates innovative medical solutions for better patient outcomes 

and delivers value through clinical leadership and excellence. 

CryoLife International 913 & 1109 

1655 Roberts Blvd. NW, Kennesaw, GA 30144 

www.cryolife.com 

CryoLife focuses on the development of implantable biological 

devices, surgical adhesives, and biomaterials for use in cardiac 

and vascular surgery. Committed to surgeon training, CryoLife 

is pioneering the use of biological simulators in the education of 

cardiothoracic surgeons on aortic root surgery techniques. 

CTSNet 125 

401 Pratt St., Baltimore, MD 21202 

www.ctsnet.org 

CTSNet is the leading international source of online educational 

resources for cardiothoracic surgeons and associated medical 

professionals. CTSNet also hosts and supports the websites of 52 

professional cardiothoracic surgery organizations – including 

34 international organizations. 

D 

Deep Breeze 924 

1171 Forseth Dr., Haitland, WI 53029 

www.deepbreeze.com 

Deep Breeze’s flagship product is the VRIxpTM lung imaging 

system, which uses unique vibration response technology. Vibration 

response imaging is a very precise and rapid method for 

predicting postoperative lung function with potential lung resection 

patients. Pre- and postoperative evaluation can be done 

cost-effectively and in any clinical setting. 

Delacroix-Chevalier 629 

3825 Commerce Dr., St. Charles, IL 60174 

www.medalliancesolutions.com 

MED Alliance Solutions is the exclusive U.S. importer and distributor 

of Delacroix-Chevalier, Péters Surgical, and Alliant 

Healthcare. Delacroix-Chevalier manufactures cardiovascular 

and thoracic instrumentation and retractors, best known for Carpentier 

MV retractor and instruments, Resano “Magic” forceps, 

and IMA retractor. Alliant Healthcare manufactures myocardial 

temperature probes, suture guides, and tubing organizers. 

Designs For Vision, Inc. 314 

760 Koehler Ave., Ronkonkoma, NY 11779 

www.designsforvision.com 

Just see it with Designs for Vision’s lightweight, custom-made 

surgical telescopes now available with Nike frames. See it even 

better with the L.E.D. Daylite or Twin Beam L.E.D., providing 

the brightest and safest untethered illumination. 

Doctors Research Group, Inc. 200 

574 Heritage Rd., Ste. 202, Southbury, CT 06488 

www.kryponiteusa.com 

Kryptonite bone cement is a porous, nontoxic, low exothermic 

adhesive with bonelike mechanical properties composed of naturally 

occurring fatty acids and calcium carbonate. 

E 

EACTS 

A6 

3 Park St., Windsor SL4 1LU, United Kingdom 

www.eacts.org 

The EACTS is the largest European association devoted to the 

practice of cardiothoracic surgery. The main objectives of the association 

are to advance education in the field of cardiothoracic 

surgery and to promote, for the public benefit, research into cardiovascular 

and thoracic physiology, pathology, and therapy 

and to correlate and disseminate the useful results thereof. Visit 

the booth for information on membership, future meetings, and 

all activities of EACTS. 

Edwards Lifesciences 400 

One Edwards Way, Irvine, CA 92614 

www.edwards.com 

Edwards Lifesciences is the global leader in the science of heart 

valves and hemodynamic monitoring. Driven by a passion to help 

patients, the company partners with clinicians to develop innovative 

technologies in the areas of structural heart disease and critical 

care monitoring that enable them to save and enhance lives. 

Elsevier (Saunders-Mosby) 201 

8457 Eagles Coop Ct., Windermere, FL 34786 

www.elsevierhealth.com 

Elsevier delivers reliable, relevant content, tools, and support 

across the entire health science curriculum in ways that help educators, 

their students, and practitioners achieve high levels of 

success. Trust ELSEVIER to offer superior resources that expand 

your knowledge, foster communication, and enable individual 

and collective advancement in the healthcare field. EL- 

SEVIER, building insights, breaking boundaries! 

Essential Pharmaceuticals 324 

770 Newtown Yardley Rd., Ste. 212, Newtown, 

PA 18940 

www.essentialpharma.com 

Essential Pharmaceuticals is a specialty pharmaceutical company 

devoted solely to the development and sales of branded pharmaceutical 

products in the transplant and cardiothoracic surgery 

fields, including Custodiol® HTK organ preservation solution. 

Originally developed for cardiac surgery, Custodiol® HTK offers 

superior convenience due to its easy handling characteristics, waterlike 

viscosity, and no need for additives or filters – which 

makes it a preferred solution for many transplant centers. 

Ethicon Endo-Surgery 435 

4545 Creek Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45242 

www.ethiconendosurgery.com 

Ethicon Endo-Surgery, a Johnson & Johnson company, develops 

and markets advanced medical devices for minimally invasive 

and open surgical procedures, focusing on procedure-enabling 

devices for the interventional diagnosis and treatment of 

conditions in general and bariatric surgery, as well as gastrointestinal 

health, gynecology, and surgical oncology. 

F 

Fehling Surgical Instruments, Inc. 310 

509 Broadstone Ln., Acworth, GA 30101 

www.fehlingsurgical.com 

Fehling Surgical Instruments’ exhibit features the Fehling CE- 

RAMO® instrument line, SUPERPLAST coronary probes, and 

instruments for minimally invasive cardiac surgery as well as 

retractor systems. Black CERAMO® surface means high efficiency 

through enhanced performance, increased endurance, and 

minimal maintenance. See and feel the difference. 

G 

GE Healthcare 1020 

384 Wright Brothers Dr., Salt Lake City, UT 84116 

www.gehealthcare.com 

GE is making a new commitment to health. Healthymagination 

will change the way we approach healthcare, with more than 

100 innovations all focused on addressing three critical needs: 

lowering costs, touching more lives, and improving quality. 

Genesee BioMedical, Inc. 320 

1308 South Jason St., Denver, CO 80223-3408 

www.geneseebiomedical.com 

Innovation changing life through products for cardiothoracic 

surgery. Genesee BioMedical, Inc. develops, manufactures, and 

sells instruments and devices for cardiothoracic surgery. Unique 

Genesee products include sternal and thoracic retractors for 

adult/pediatric cardiac surgery, reusable cardiac positioners, 

coronary graft markers, myocardial temperature probes, and suture 

guards. All products are CE marked. 

GerMedUSA 113 

2417 Jericho Turnpike, #333, Garden City Park, 

NY 11040 

www.germedinc.com 

GerMedUSA markets high-quality and affordable German 

surgical instruments. We manufacture a variety of podiatry instruments 

such as locking pliers, self-retaining retractors, fracture 

management, wire and pin cutters, and instrument sets for 

most surgical procedures. For decades GerMedUSA has been 

known worldwide for having the most stellar quality surgical 

instruments. GerMedUSA understands the importance of details 

when crafting medical surgical instruments and equipment; 

therefore, GerMedUSA craftsmen continue to manufacture 

great quality German surgical instruments and hospital 

equipment in the industry. GerMedUSA surgical equipment 

instruments come with a lifetime warranty and we offer the 

most reliable customer service. 

H 

Heart Hugger/Gen’l Cardiac 

Technology 206 

15814 Winchester Blvd., #105, Los Gatos, CA 

95030 

www.hearthugger.com 

Heart Hugger-Sternum Support Harness is a patient-operated 

support harness applied postop to splint surgical wounds. Benefits 

include improved patient compliance, faster return to premorbid 

respiratory levels, fewer wound complications, and better 

postop mobility. It is useful for post open-heart, thoracotomy, 

fractured rib, and other chest trauma patients. 

Heart Valve Interactive Corp. 731 

2117 Huntington Ln., Unit A, Redondo Beach, 

CA 90278 

www.heartvalvesurgeons.com 

heartvalveblog.com 

heartvalvejournals.com 

heartvalvebook.com 

With online access to over 1,000,000 patients, HeartValveSurgeons.com 

has become the leading referral service. Come meet 

Adam Pick, patient and author of “The Patient’s Guide To 

Heart Valve Surgery” and founder of HeartValveSurgeons.com, 

HeartValveBlog.com, HeartValveJournals.com and HeartValve- 

Book.com to learn more. 

HeartWare, Inc. 211 

205 Newbury St., Framingham, MA 1701 

www.heartware.com 

HeartWare, Inc. is developing a family of implantable mechanical 

circulatory support systems for the treatment of advanced 

heart failure. HeartWare’s lead device, the HeartWare® ventricular 

assist system, incorporates state-of-the-art peripherals and 

features the only full-output pump designed to be implanted less 

invasively in the pericardial space. The HeartWare® system is 

commercially available in Europe and is the subject of a 150- 

patient U.S. IDE trial. 

HRA Hospital Research 

Associates 222 & 1104 

400 Lanidex Plaza, Parsippany, NJ 07054 

www.hraresearch.com 

Our team of experienced interviewers will be distributing carefully 

developed questionnaires. We’ll be gathering the answers to 

vital marketing and clinical questions – answers that can affect 

the introduction of new products or the continuation of existing 

healthcare products and services. 

I 

I-Flow Corporation 1034 

20202 Windrow Dr., Lake Forest, CA 92630 

www.iflo.com 

ON-Q is labeled to significantly reduce pain better than narcotics 

and to significantly reduce narcotics intake after surgery. 

ON-Q was upheld as a best practice for postsurgical pain relief, 

and its widespread use was encouraged as part of an independent 

study published in the prestigious Journal of American 

College of Surgeons. 

ImaCor, Inc. 1044 

50 Charles Lindberg Blvd., Ste. 200, Uniondale, 

NY 11553 

www.imacormonitoring.com 

ImaCor, an innovative manufacturer , has developed the Clari- 

TEE, a miniaturized TEE monitoring probe. The ClariTEE 

probe may remain indwelling for up to 72 hours, providing direct 

visualization of the heart. The ImaCor ClariTEE probe 

has broken the rules of traditional ultrasound and will change 

the future of hemodynamic monitoring by improving outcomes 

and lowering costs. 

Implantable Devices 832 

3851 62nd Ave. N, Ste. A, Pinellas, FL 33781 

Implantable Devices manufactures a patented family of carotid 

shunts that feature a built-in doppler crystal that allows you to hear 

the blood flow in the shunt. Every style of shunt is offered: balloon 

shunts, wire-reinforced soft material, and more rigid PVC shunts. 

Integra Lifesciences 935 

311 Enterprise Dr., Plainsboro, NJ 08536 

www.integra-surgical.com 

Integra is a leader in acute care surgical products. The company’s 

portfolio includes quality instrumentation solutions for 

your sterile processing or OR needs in laparoscopic, general, cardiovascular, 

neuro, plastic, and reconstructive surgery. Products 

include Lextec illumination systems and cables, instruments 

from Jarit, Redmond, and Padgett, Omni-Tract table-mounted 

retractors, and CIMS Consulting Services. 

International Society of Minimally 

Invasive Cardiothoracic Surgery A2 

900 Cummings Center, Ste. 221-U, Beverly, 

MA 01915 

www.ismics.org 

ISMICS is the leader in techniques, technology, and innovation 

in CVT surgery. ISMICS 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting, 

8-11 June 2011, Mayflower Hotel, Washington, DC. 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. 313 

1266 Kifer Rd., Bldg. 101, Sunnyvale, CA 94086 

www.intuitivesurgical.com 

Intuitive Surgical, Inc. is the global technology leader in robotic-assisted, 

minimally invasive surgery. The Company’s da Vinci® 

Surgical System offers breakthrough capabilities that enable 

cardiac surgeons to use a minimally invasive approach and 

avoid median sternotomy. 

K 

Kapp Surgical Instrument, Inc. 921 

4919 Warrensville Center Rd., Cleveland, 

OH 44128 

www.kappsurgical.com 

Kapp Surgical is a custom-design shop that designs surgical instruments 

and implants, manufactures them, and sells as well as 

distributes domestically and internationally. Kapp’s exclusive 

products are the Cosgrove heart retractor, bariatric ring, strip T’s 

surgical organizer, and countless surgical devices – all FDA approved 

with several pending approvals. (Kapp owns 39 patents.) 

Kardium 110 

100-12851 Rowan Pl., Richmond, BC V6V2K5 

Canada 

www.kardium.com 

Kardium introduces the TORQ, a device to assist with sternal 

closure. The TORQ uniformly tensions and tightly twists standard 

sternal wires without breakage, resulting in a better and 

more repeatable closure. 

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc. 945 

2151 E. Grand Ave., El Segundo, CA 90245 

www.karlstorz.com 

Karl Storz Endoscopy-America, Inc., a leader in endoscopic 

equipment and instruments, offers solutions for video-assisted 

thoracic surgery (VATS). Our video mediastinoscopes with 

DCI-D1 camera allow video recording while working under direct 

vision. The Karl Storz Endocameleon combines the comfort 

of conventional 0º laparoscopes with variable viewing, adjustable 

between 0º and 120º. 

KLS Martin, LP 321 

P.O. Box 16369, Jacksonville, FL 32245 

www.klsmartin.com 

KLS-Martin, a responsive company, is focused on the development 

of innovative products for oral, plastic, and craniomaxillofacial 

surgery. New product developments in our titanium 

osteosynthesis plating systems allow these products to be used for 

rapid sternal fixation and reconstruction. 

L 

LifeLike BioTissue, Inc. 103 

25 Chicora Ave., Toronto, ON Canada 

www.lifelikebiotissue.com 

LifeLike BioTissue, Inc. uses proprietary technology to manufac- 




ture artificial soft tissues (e.g., saphenous veins, thoracic aortas, 

arteries, microvessels, bowels, etc.) that have the same mechanical 

properties as real tissues, for a highly realistic surgical skills 

training or procedure demonstration experience. LifeLike BioTissue 

offers “the closest thing to real tissue” at an affordable price. 

LifeNet 204 

1864 Concert Dr., Virginia Beach, VA 23453 

www.lifenethealth.org 

LifeNet Health Bio-Implants Division is a leader in the engineering 

and processing of dental, cardiovascular, spinal, and orthopedic 

bio-implants and distributes more than 300,000 bio-implants 

every year to restore health to patients around the world. 

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 306 

1578 Fordham St., Bolingbrook, IL 60490 

www.lww.com 

Lippincott Williams & Wilkins publishes extensively in the 

area of thoracic and cardiothoracic surgery. Please visit our display 

to see new and current textbooks in this specialty area. 

LSI Solutions 534 

7796 Victor-Mendon Rd., Victor, NY 14564 

www.lsisolutions.com 

Providing innovative surgical products since 1986, LSI SOLU- 

TIONS® proudly introduces our first product for MIS cardiothoracic 

surgery: The new 5-mm COR-KNOT System quickly 

places miniature mechanical knots made of titanium for excellent 

automated suture security. 

M 

MAQUET Cardiovascular 801 

45 Barbour Pond Rd., Wayne, NJ 07470 

www.maquet.com 

MAQUET Cardiovascular is a global market leader offering a 

comprehensive portfolio of products for on- and off-pump cardiac 

bypass, intra-aortic balloon pump therapy, and cardiac 

and vascular surgery needs. 

Masimo Corporation 124 

40 Parker, Irvine, CA 92618 

www.masimo.com 

Masimo is a global medical technology company that develops 

and manufactures innovative noninvasive patient monitoring 

technologies, including medical devices and a wide array of sensors. 

A key medical technology innovator, Masimo is responsible 

for the invention of award-winning noninvasive technologies 

that are revolutionizing patient monitoring, including Masimo 

SET® pulse oximetry, Masimo Rainbow SET® noninvasive and 

continuous hemoglobin (SpHb®), acoustic respiration rate 

(RRa), Masimo Patient SafetyNet, and SEDLine® (EEGbased) 

brain function monitors. 

Medela, Inc. 221 

1101 Corporate Dr., McHenry, IL 60050 

www.medela.com 

Medela, the market leader in breast pumps, has innovated and 

manufactured medical vacuum solutions featuring Swiss technology 

for over 50 years. From this foundation of excellence and 

quality, Medela expanded into chronic wound management with 

negative-pressure wound therapy and improving cardiothoracic 

care through the first digital chest tube management system. 

Medical Concepts Europe 102 

1083 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209 

www.heartmedical.nl 

MCE provides complete solutions for temporary pacing of cardiac 

surgery patients. Advanced designs in bipolar temporary 

pacing leads for adults and pediatrics and FastLock single-use 

interconnect cable to increase reliability and efficacy of pacing. 

Medi-Stim 335 

73rd Avenue North, #12, Maple Grove, MN 55369 

www.medistim.com 

MediStim now expands your intraoperative CABG guidance 

with epiaortic and epicardial ultrasound scanning technologies. 

Coupled with our class-leading transit time flowmetry platform, 

MediStim presents the capability to clearly identify aortic plaque 

with user-friendly, high-resolution ultrasonography through a 

probe specifically designed for cardiac surgical procedures. 

Medtronic, Inc. 601 

710 Medtronic Pkwy., Minneapolis, MN 55432 

www.medtronic.com 

Medtronic is committed to innovating for life. Discover our 

comprehensive product portfolio in the areas of structural heart 

and aortic diseases, including transcatheter, tissue, and mechanical 

valves; blood management; surgical ablation; OP- 

CAB; perfusion; and aortic stent graft systems. 

Med-USA Medical, Inc. 225 

3701 Sea Ray Channel, Edmond, OK 73013 

www.med-usainc.com 

Med-USA’s STRATOS and STRACOS thoracic osteosyntheses 

systems are an innovative, universal and easy-to-use solution 

for internal chest wall stabilization in deformities, costal fractures, 

flail chest, defect bridging after tumor removal, and secondary 

sternal closure. No screws, no wires, no pull-outs! Provides 

reduced patient length of stay and pain. 

N 

National Institutes of Health, 

Office of History 1103 

45 Center Dr., Bldg. 45, Room 3AN 44A, 

Bethesda, MD 20892 

www.nih.gov 

A traveling exhibition, “Innovation & Invention: NIH and 

Prosthetic Heart Valves,” produced by the NIH’s and the FDA’s 

Offices of History and underwritten by AATS, opens here at 

the annual meeting to engage its most discerning audience. 

Please visit the object-rich museum installation at the NIH’s 

Clinical Center in Bethesda. 

Neomend, Inc. 735 

60 Technology Dr., Irvine, CA 92618 

www.neomend.com 

ProGEL, currently the only FDA-approved commercially available 

pleural air leak sealant, has clinically proven to be significantly 

effective in sealing interoperative air leaks and reduce 

hospital stay. ProGEL is easy to prepare and apply, gels quickly, 

and offers a strong and flexible seal that can handle lung contraction 

and expansion. 

Nonin Medical, Inc. 728 

13700 1st Avenue, North Plymouth, MN 55441 

www.nonin.com 

A powerful tool to monitor critical cerebral and organ health, 

Nonin Medical’s Model 7600 Regional Oximetry System measures 

– accurately, reliably, and consistently – the balance of 

oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HbO2 and Hb) in 

the cerebral cortex, paving the way for early perioperative intervention 

to help prevent ischemia. 

O 

Olympus America 929 

3500 Corporate Pkwy., POB 610, Center Valley, 

PA 18034-0610 

www.olympussurgical.com 

Olympus is merging laparoscopic and endoscopic technologies to 

advance minimally invasive surgical solutions that help healthcare 

professionals to improve clinical outcomes. Through innovative 

diagnostic and therapeutic tools that enable Laparo-Endoscopic 

Single-Site (LESS) surgery and OR systems 

integration, Olympus is enhancing people’s lives and transforming 

the future of healthcare. 

On-X Technologies, Inc. 829 

8200 Cameron Rd., Ste. A-196, Austin, TX 78754 

www.onxvalves.com 

On-X® heart valves: Patented natural design and On-X® carbon 

offer reduced turbulence in a mechanical valve to rival the clinical 

and hemodynamic performance of bioprostheses. FDA IDEapproved 

PROACT (Prospective Randomized On-X® Anticoagulation 

Clinical Trial) is in process. 

Orthovita, Inc. 107 

77 Great Valley Pkwy., Malvern, PA 19312 

www.orthovita.com 

Orthovita, an orthobiologics/biosurgery company, offers innovative 

hemostats for controlling intraoperative bleeding. Vitagel 

surgical hemostat, a unique, collagen-based matrix, controls 

bleeding and facilitates healing, while Vitasure absorbable hemostat, 

a plant-based product, can be deployed quickly throughout 

surgery. Orthovita’s orthobiologics platform offers products for 

the fusion, regeneration, and fracture fixation of human bone. 

Oscor Medical Corp. 733 

3816 De Soto Blvd., Palm Harbor, FL 34683-1618 

www.oscor.com 

Oscor offers complete turnkey product and OEM outsourcing 

solutions for medical device design and manufacturing. Inhouse 

capabilities: product design and engineering, mold making, 

injection molding, CNC machining, extrusion, cleanroom 

assembly, packaging, and sterilization. Typical products: pacing 

and stimulation leads, introducers, adaptors, catheters, and 

shaft assemblies. FDA registered. ISC 13485; 2003 certified. 

P 

Pemco, Inc. 830 

5663 Brecksville Rd., Cleveland, OH 44131-1593 

www.pemco.com 

Since 1955 Pemco has designed and manufactured precision 

surgical instruments for the cardiovascular field. Pemco has 

documented that perfusion cannula, coronary ostial cannula, 

and cardiac suckers offer significant cost savings over disposables. 

Additional products include reusable subclavian and 

femoral cannula, anesthesia screens, and the Rultract retractor. 

PeriOptix, Inc. 732 

1001 Avenida Pico, #C620, San Clemente, 

CA 92673 

www.perioptix.com 

PeriOptix introduces the new Solaris mini LED headlight. 

No other LED is lighter, smaller, or “cooler”, weighing only 5.9 

g. PeriOptix also offers the Adidas Micro TTL, the lightest 

through-the-lens design on the market weighing in at only 36 

grams, in many designs and styles. 

Péters Surgical/Med Alliance 

Solutions, LLC 535 

42, Rue Benoit Frachon, 93000 Bobigny, France 

www.peters-surgical.com 

Expert in cardiovascular surgery Péters Surgical offers a wide 

range of sutures, including Corolene® polypropylene monofilament 

with a minimal memory, Premio® PVDF monofilament 

designed for cardiopediatric surgery, Cardionyl® unique 

monofilament suture for MV repair, Cardioxyl® and Cardioflon® 

siliconized and teflonized polyester braids for valve and 

ring fixation, and also Uniring® universal annuloplasty system. 

Philips Healthcare 1128 

22100 Bothell-Everett Hwy., Bothell, WA 98021 

www.medical.philips.com 

A hybrid OR can help make life simpler for the interdisciplinary 

teams who operate in this environment every day. As a world 

leader in cardiovascular X-ray, Philips has the experience and expertise 

to deliver first-class imaging technology you need to perform 

minimally invasive procedures. Visit our booth to learn about the 

solutions Philips and Philips’ partners offer for the hybrid OR. 

Pioneer Surgical Technology 116 

375 River Park Circle, Marquette, MI 49855 

www.pioneersurgical.com 

The Pioneer sternal cable system consists of multistrand stainless 

steel cable, which is tensioned and crimped in place for a secure 

closure. With significantly more static and fatigue strength 

than traditional monofilament wire, its flexibility and ease of 

use make it a better choice, while its price tag offers an economical 

alternative! 

Plasma Surgical, Inc. 941 

1125 Northmeadow Pkwy., Ste. 100, Roswell, 

GA 30076 

www.plasmasurgical.com 

PlasmaJet® technology sets a new standard in surgery, plasma 

surgery. Harnessing aerospace technology and the unique properties 

of plasma, PlasmaJet offers surgeons a multifunctional tool for 

clean, precise surgical cutting and coagulation on tissue and bone 

with minimal collateral damage. The PlasmaJet® is also used for 

aerostasis on lung tissue and thermal surgical tumor destruction. 

Precision Therapeutics 105 

2516 Jane St., Pittsburgh, PA 15203 

www.precisiontherapeutics.com 

Precision Therapeutics is committed to improving outcomes of 

cancer patients. Precision’s ChemoFx®, a proprietary drug response 

marker, measures an individual’s malignant tumor response 

to a range of standard therapeutic alternatives under 

consideration by a physician. 

Q 

Qualiteam s.r.l. 640 

Casale Nassio Sopra 15/a 10010 Chiaverano 

(TO) Italy 

www.qualiteam.com 

Qualiteam is devoted to creating products that will advance 

postoperative care for patients, improve the overall hospital experience, 

and speed recovery, which may result in cost savings 

for healthcare administrators. Our products are created with 

high functionality and focus on patient comfort. 

Quest Medical, Inc. 425 

One Allentown Pkwy., Allen, TX 75002-4211 

www.questmedical.com 

Features MPS®2 system providing flexibility/control to optimize 

myocardial protection strategy with Microplegia and cyclic flow 

(pulsatile) and pediatric protocols, including cardioplegia delivery 

catheters/accessories, Retract-O-Tape® silicone vessel loops, Clean- 

Cut, PerfectCut®, and the bullet-nose rotating aortic punches. 

R 

RMD Instruments Corp. 825 

44 Hunt St., Watertown, MA 02472 

www.rmdinc.com 

RMD Navigator GPS system with Daniel Lung Probe for VAT 

localization and resection of sub-centimeter indiscriminate pulmonary 

nodules. The Navigator is also used for the surgical localization 

of 18F-FDG PET pharmaceuticals and sentinel 

lymph node mapping via the RMD Gamma-PET Probe and 

12 mm SMX Probe. 

Rose Micro Solutions 115 

4105 Seneca St., West Seneca, NY 14224 

www.rosemed.com 

Rose Micro Solutions sells optical loupes and LED lights for 

less. We are a family business of four brothers, and our company 

is named after our mother, Rose. Call 716-608-0009 or visit 

www.rosemicrosolutions.com. 

Rultract/Pemco, Inc. 828 

5663 Brecksville Rd., Cleveland, OH 44131-1593 

www.rultract.net 

Rultract/Pemco established a medical industry standard for surgical 

retractor systems providing gentle and uniform lift allowing 

maximum exposure for IMA dissection, re-do hearts, xiphoid entry, 

subxiphoid pericardial procedures, minimally invasive procedures 

(capable for use with Thoratrak), parasternal procedures, 

pediatric/ASD, t-incisions, and transabdominal GEA midcab. 

Rumex International 940 

8601 4th Street North, Ste. 201, St. Petersburgh, 

FL 33702 

www.rumex.net 

Rumex International Co., a leader in microsurgical instruments, 

will be displaying a complete line of surgical instruments 

for cardiovascular surgery, including scissors, forceps, needle 

holders, and much more! 

S 

Scanlan International, Inc. 1001 

One Scanlan Plaza, St. Paul, MN 55107 

www.scanlaninternational.com 

Highest quality surgical products designed and manufactured by 

the Scanlan family since 1921. Over 3,000 titanium and stainless 

steel precision instruments, including VATS / MICS thoracoscopic 

instruments, SCANLAN®MEMORY instruments, and 

SCANLAN® LEGACY titanium needle holders and forceps. 

Single-use products include SCANLAN® aorta/vein punch, 

VASCU-STATT® bulldog clamps and graft markers. 

SIC Brevetti SRL 214 

206 Country Club Way, Ipswich, MA 01938 

www.d-s-s.it 

The DSS (Device for Sternal Synthesis) is a new, simple, and 

inexpensive approach to stabilize the sternum and promote fusion. 

The DSS protects the bone from the wire, it’s quick and 

easy to implant, and the surgeon closes in the usual method 

with wires or cables. No special tools are required. 

Siemens Medical Solutions 

USA, Inc. 1050 

51 Valley Stream Pkwy., Malvern, PA 19355 

www.siemens.com/healthcare 

The Siemens Healthcare Sector is one of the world’s largest suppliers 

to the healthcare industry and a trend setter in medical 

imaging, laboratory diagnostics, medical information technology 

and hearing aids. With over 100 installations in the U.S. 

(over 200 worldwide), Siemens is a leading provider of imaging 

systems for the hybrid OR. 

Society of Thoracic Surgeons A3 

633 N. St. Clair, Ste. 2320, Chicago, IL 60611 

www.sts.org 

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons represents more than 6,000 

surgeons, researchers, and allied healthcare professionals worldwide 

who are dedicated to ensuring the best possible outcomes 

for surgeries of the heart, lung, and esophagus, as well as other 

surgical procedures within the chest. The STS 48th Annual 

Meeting, the Society’s preeminent educational event, will be 

held Jan. 30-Feb. 1, 2012, in Fort Lauderdale, FL. 

STS/AATS Tech-Con 2012 will be held just prior to the Annual 

Meeting, Jan. 28-29. The Society offers a wide variety of 

member benefits, including reduced participation fees in the 

renowned STS National Database, a complimentary subscription 

to the prestigious Annals of Thoracic Surgery, dynamic educational 

offerings, online patient information resources, and 

much more. Stop by Booth #A3 to learn more about The Society 

of Thoracic Surgeons. 

Sontec Instruments, Inc. 1100 

7248 S. Tucson Way, Englewood, CO 80112 

www.sontectinstruments.com 

Sontec offers the most comprehensive selection of exceptional handheld 

surgical instruments available to the discriminating surgeon. 

There is no substitute for quality, expertise, and individualized 

service. Sontec’s vast array awaits your consideration at our booth. 

Sorin Group 

413 & S1 

14401 W. 65th Way, Arvada, CO 80004 

www.sorin.com 

With a comprehensive heart valve portfolio and over 40 years of 

manufacturing experience, Sorin Group’s innovative prosthetic 

tissue and mechanical heart valves and repair devices deliver 

superior hemodynamic performance, exceptional durability, 

and best-in-class clinical outcomes. Sorin Group is the choice of 

cardiac surgeons worldwide. 

St. Jude Medical, Inc. 619 

One St. Jude Medical Dr., St. Paul, MN 55117 

www.sjm.com 

St. Jude Medical develops medical technology designed to put 

more control into the hands of those who treat cardiac, neurological, 

and chronic pain patients worldwide. The company is dedicated 

to advancing the practice of medicine by reducing risk wherever 

possible and contributing to successful patient outcomes. 

STS DC Office 

A4 

1025 Connecticut Ave., NW, Ste. 1104, 

Washington, DC 20336 

www.sts.org 

The STS/AATS Advocacy Center Booth #A4 is the best place to 

learn about STS/AATS government relations activities and to 

find out how you can help your practice and the future of the specialty. 

Stop by Booth #A4 where you can e-mail your Congressional 

representatives, receive timely information on federal legislation 

and regulations impacting your practice, and explore options for 

grassroots advocacy in your state and congressional district. 

superDimension, Inc. 1129 

161 Cheshire Ln., Ste. 100, Plymouth, MN 55441 

www.superdimension.com 

superDimension, Inc. develops and manufactures software, hardware, 

and disposables for the lung disease market. superDimension’s 

iLogic system is the total bronchial access and navigation 

system that provides a safe pathway to peripheral or central lung 

lesions, even for patients with procedure-restricting conditions. 

Surgical Acuity, Inc. 1200 

3225 Deming Way, Middleton, WI 53562 

www.surgicalacuity.com 

Surgical Acuity designs and manufactures high-performance 

magnification loupes for surgeons and other medical professionals. 

Renowned for quality craftsmanship, our loupes deliver remarkable 

resolution over a deep and wide viewing field. We use 

lightweight optics made from only the finest grade of glass. Surgical 

Acuity offers the best in magnification for today’s surgeons. 

Surgitel/General Scientific Corp. 934 

77 Enterprise Dr., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 

www.surgitel.com 

SurgiTel Systems is dedicated to offerig the best in ergonomics, 

vision, and comfort. Coupling SurgiTel Systems’ high-definition 

optics with Oakley frames, we offer the very best in magnification 

systems. SurgiCam, our new loupe-mounted camera system, 

is digital and lightweight, allowing the viewers to see images 

at the user’s perspective. 

SynCardia Systems, Inc. 441 

1992 E. Silverlake Dr., Tucson, AZ 85713 

www.syncardia.com 

The SynCardia temporary Total Artificial Heart (TAH-t) is the 

world’s only FDA-, Health Canada-, and CE-approved total artificial 

heart. It is approved as a bridge to transplant for patients 

dying from end-stage biventricular failure. Visit our booth for updates 

on the IDE clinical study for the Freedom® portable driver. 

Synthes CMF 531 

1301 Goshen Pkwy., West Chester, PA 19380 

www.synthes.com 

Synthes CMF develops, produces, and markets instruments and 

implants for the surgical reconstruction of the human skeleton and 

soft tissues. Our product offering includes systems for internal fixation 

of the sternum following a sternotomy/osteotomy or fracture of 

the sternum and rib, with options to stabilize and promote fusion. 



Latest Innovations Featured on Wednesday 


T 

Teleflex Medical 121 

2400 Bernville Rd., Reading, PA 19605 

www.teleflexmedical.com 

The Teleflex portfolio offers today’s cardiothoracic surgeon comprehensive 

resources, including Horizon, Hemo-clip® ligation, 

Hem-o-lok®, Tevdek®, Deklene® Maxx suture, and Pleur-evac® 

chest drainage. Weck, Deknatel, and Pilling are recognized pioneer 

companies providing cardiovascular products enhancing 

patient outcomes. 

Terumo Cardiovascular Systems 813 

6200 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103 

www.terumo-cvs.com 

Terumo will display Vascutek® Gelweave gelatin-sealed, woven, 

branched vascular grafts for debranching and associated hybrid 

procedures, the new VirtuoSaph® plus endoscopic vessel harvesting 

system, ROCSafe hybrid perfusion system, SmartPReP® 2 

platelet concentrate system, Terumo® advanced perfusion system 

1, and Terumo® cannulae for cardiac surgery. 

The Society for Heart Valve Disease A7 

900 Cummings Center, Ste. 221-U, Beverly, 

MA 01915 

www.shvd.org 

The SHVD’s mission is to promote, support, and encourage research 

and the education of the public in the causes, prevention, 

and treatment of heart valve disease, or related cardiac conditions 

and illnesses. Society members include cardiologists, cardiothoracic 

surgeons, researchers, allied health professionals, students, 

and institutional representatives from around the globe. 

Thoracic Surgery Foundation for 

Research and Education 

A5 

900 Cummings Center, #221-U, Beverly, 

MA 01915 

www.tsfre.org 

The Thoracic Surgery Foundation for Research and Education 

(TSFRE) was established in 1992 to increase knowledge and enhance 

treatment of patients with cardiothoracic disease, to develop 

skills of cardiothoracic surgeons as surgeon-scientists and health policy 

leaders, and to strengthen society’s understanding of the specialty. 

Physicians, corporate partners, and patients are urged to contribute 

to TSFRE. Please stop by the TSFRE booth for your donor 

sticker, and visit www.tsfre.org for more information on awards 

and giving opportunities that benefit you and our profession. 

Thoramet Surgical Products 841 

301 Route 17 N, Ste. 800, Rutherford, NJ 

07070 

www.thoramet.com 

The surgeon’s choice for VATS instrumentation! We offer the 

most extensive catalog of pure thorascopic patterns available 

anywhere. The feel you want, the actuation you need, the patterns 

you demand! Come see our unique versatility and new 

2011 instruments! 

Thoratec Laboratories Corporation 420 

6035 Stoneridge Dr., Pleasanton, CA 94588 

www.thoratec.com 

Thoratec Corporation is a world leader in therapies to address 

advanced-stage heart failure. The company’s products include 

the HeartMate® LVAS and Thoratec® VAD (ventricular assist 

device) with more than 15,000 devices implanted in patients 

suffering from heart failure. For more information, visit the 

company’s web site at www.thoratec.com. 

Those who get off to an early start on 

Wednesday will be rewarded with intriguing 

presentations on some of the 

latest developments during the Emerging 

Technologies and Techniques Forum, moderated 

by W. Randolph Chitwood Jr., MD, of 

East Carolina University and Bryan F. Meyers, 

MD, of Washington University. 

Hybrid Coronary Artery Revascularization 

(HCR) is a fairly novel procedure incorporating 

surgical (CABG) and percutaneous coronary 

intervention (PCI) for treating multivessel 

coronary artery disease. Although there are 

some data on staged HCR that is separated by 

days or weeks, the data on same-sitting HCR 

are meager. Christine M. McCarty, MD, of the 

Pinnacle Health System will present research 

showing that same-sitting, robotic-assisted 

HCR is feasible and may offer superior outcomes, 

compared with those achieved with 

standard off-pump coronary artery bypass or 

staged HCR. 

Reducing cross-clamp and cardiopulmonary 

bypass times may help patients who 

need aortic valve replacement (AVR). Malak 

Shrestha, MD, of the Hannover Medical 

School and colleagues will present a study on 

the feasibility and early performance of a novel 

rapid-deployment AVR system using a novel, 

balloon-expandable valve. “Cross-clamp 

and cardiopulmonary bypass times were favorable, 

and early hemodynamic performance 

was good and remained so at 3 months’ follow-up, 

demonstrating the feasibility of this 

approach,” Dr. Shrestha said. 

Jeng Wei, MD, and colleagues from the 

Cheng Hsin General Hospital will discuss a 

new vascular ring connector that improves early 

surgical results and midterm outcomes of 

aortic dissection. 

Results of a multicenter trial of a novel device 

for exclusion of the left atrial appendage 

in patients with atrial fibrillation will be presented 

by Gorav Ailawadi, MD, of the University 

of Virginia and his colleagues. They 

will demonstrate how atraumatic exclusion of 

Transonic Systems, Inc. 1113 

34 Dutch Mill Rd., Ithaca, NY 14850 

www.transonic.com 

What do you routinely think about when you’re leaving the 

OR? If you are concerned about post-protamine graft patency, 

you can obtain peace of mind by measuring blood flow just prior 

to approximation with Transonic transit-time flow measurement 

technology. Confidence is knowing before you go. 

U 

USB Medical, Ltd. 111 

2000 Pioneer Rd., Huntingdon Valley, PA 19006 

USB is reinventing healthcare. The Monofib One-Handed Internal 

Defib System delivers a much safer, easier to use, disposable 

and reliable alternative to traditional spoons. The HV Heart Retractor 

co-invented with Dr. Hugo Vanermen provides the largest 

and clearest view during minimally invasive valve procedures. 

V 

ValveXchange, Inc. 224 

12635 East Montview Blvd., Aurora, CO 80045 

www.valvexchange.com 

ValveXchange is developing a full line of bovine pericardial tissue 

heart valves incorporating a replaceable leaflet set designed 

to allow MIS renewal of the valve to as-new performance without 

open heart surgery whenever needed. Surgical, transapical, 

and transfemoral implant models are under development with 

clinical trials starting this year. 

Vision-Sciences, Inc. 117 

40 Ramland Rd., South Orangeburg, NY 10962 

www.visionsciences.com 

Vision-Sciences provides advanced flexible endoscopy systems, 

including the new BRS-5000 flexible bronchoscope, the first 

distal chip bronchoscope with the EndoSheath® technology. EndoSheath® 

bronchoscopy gives practitioners an “always ready” 

bronchoscope that utilizes the sterile, disposable EndoSheath® 

technology; a protective barrier between the scope and patient 

that allows for rapid equipment turnaround, enhanced infection 

control, and less capital and service costs. 

Vitalitec 641 

10 Cordage Park Circle, Ste. 100, Plymouth, 

MA 02360 

www.vitalitec.com 

Vitalitec will be displaying our Geister® minimally invasive 

ValveGate® instrumentation, the cygNet® flexible aortic cross 

clamps, and our full range of vascular temporary and permanent 

occlusion products, as well as our newly acquired Enclose 

II® anastomosis assist device. 

W 

Wexler Surgical Supplies 300 

11333 Chimney Rock Rd., #110-120, Houston, 

TX 77035 

www.wexlersurgical.com 

Wexler Surgical designs and manufactures a variety of titanium 

and stainless steel specialty surgical instruments and products 

for cardiac, vascular, thoracic, and microsurgery. Come see 

our new VATS/MICS and Optimus instrument lines. Visit us 

online at www.wexlersurgical.com for information about our 

products and services. 

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with many of the world’s leading societies. www.wileyblackwell.com, 

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/, www.wiley.com. 

Exhibit Hall 

The Exhibit Hall features the 

latest advances in cardiothoracic 

surgical products from 

more than 100 companies. 

Exhibit Hall Hours: 


9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. 

the left atrial appendage can be performed 

during open cardiac surgery with the Atriclip 

device. 

Joel Price, MD, of the University of Ottawa 

and his colleagues will address the role 

of simulation training in performing vascular 

anastomosis on a high-fidelity, in 

vivo model, and David D. Yuh, MD, and 

colleagues from the Johns Hopkins University 

will examine the use of a 3-D computational 

model of the mitral valve for 

surgical planning. 

“This is an important initial step in developing 

a model to facilitate study of the 

3-D dynamics of normal and abnormal 

mitral valves, perform ‘virtual repairs’ in the 

preoperative planning of complex mitral 

repairs, and predict mitral apparatus dynamic 

alterations resulting from different 

repair techniques,” Dr. Yuh said. 

The mandatory need for transcutaneous 

drivelines undermines the full potential 

of modern ventricular assist devices 

(VADs). Infection, traumatic damage, and 

rehospitalizations are considered an inevitable 

consequence of the driveline powering 

today’s VADs, according to Pramod 

Bonde, MD, and colleagues from the University 

of Pittsburgh. They will report on 

results achieved with powering an axial 

pump using the FREE-D system. 

“A FREE-D system, based on a wireless 

resonant energy link principle, affords an 

exciting avenue to power a totally implantable 

VAD unrestricted by space constraints. 

This has an advantage over the 

older induction-based technology of totally 

tether-free function, which can have 

significant implications for reducing adverse 

events and improving quality of life,” 

according to the researchers. 

Jalal Assouad, MD, of the Public Assistance 

Hospitals of Paris and his colleagues 

will present their research indicating 

that the implantation of 

transmediastinal phrenic nerve stimulation 

electrodes could be done in a minimally 

invasive way in patients with central 

respiratory paralysis. 

■ 

Sex and Gender Session on Wednesday 

How do a patient’s sex and gender affect treatment decisions and 

outcomes? Data showing that they have a very real impact on lung 

transplantation, esophageal disease, and aneurysms will be presented 

on Wednesday during the session entitled “Sex and Gender: 

The Impact on Disease and Patient Outcomes in Cardiothoracic 

Surgery.” The session will be held at 9:00 a.m. in Ballroom A/B. 

NIH Traveling Heart Exhibit 

Stop by the National Institute of Health’s Traveling Heart Exhibit at 

Booth 1103 on the AATS Exhibit Floor. The Traveling Heart Exhibit 

describes the discoveries that led to the heart-lung machine and 

open heart surgery, experimental replacement valves, and the role 

of the NIH. It captures not only the timelines of material science, engineering, 

and technology but also the personal stories of the physicians 

and scientists whose research led to these discoveries. 

Some of the leaders featured include Nina Starr Braunwald, Andrew 

“Glenn” Morrow, Keith Horvath, and Theodor Kolobow. 

The Exhibit, a replica of the permanent exhibit on display at the 

NIH Clinical Center, was produced by the Office of NIH History’s De- 

Witt Stetten, Jr., Museum of Medical Research in collaboration with 

the FDA’s Office of History. Funding was provided by the Foundation 

for the NIH through the generous support of Edwards Lifesciences, 

the American Association for Thoracic Surgery, the Thoracic Surgery 

Foundation for Research and Education, Women in Thoracic 

Surgery, the FDA Alumni Association, the FDA, and NHLBI. 

AATS


Plenary cont. from page 1 

TAVR was found to be non-inferior to that 

after AVR , but again neurological complications 

occurred more frequently after 

TAVR, according to Dr. Miller. 

There have been no previous randomized trials 

comparing TAVR and AVR with a focus on 

neurological events using prospective, blinded 

adverse event adjudication by an independent 

Clinical Events Committee (CEC). 

In this cohort of the PARTNER Trial, 

high risk patients eligible for surgery were randomized 

1:1 to conventional AVR or TAVR. 

A total of 699 patients (ITT= intent to treat) 

were enrolled at 26 sites (22 U.S.) to receive 

TAVR (348 patients) or AVR (351 patients). 

The work analyzed 657 “as treated” (AT) patients 

from among the 699. In the TAVR 

group, 244 were assigned to transfemoral 

TAVR implantation and 104 to transapical. 

Patients were elderly (mean age 83.6 years), 

high risk (mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons 

score 11.8%, mean log EuroSCORE 

29.3%), and well balanced with respect to 

Kazuhiro Yasufuku, MD, and his colleagues 

compared techniques for NSCLC staging. 

most baseline characteristics. Risk factors for 

stroke were prevalent in all groups; overall, 

cerebrovascular disease was present in 26.5%, 

peripheral vascular disease in 42%, and atrial 

fibrillation in 25.1%. 

In the previous PARTNER cohort A report 

presented by Dr. Craig R. Smith, AATS 

President-Elect, at the American 

College of Cardiology 

meeting one month ago, the 

primary end point examined 

was all-cause mortality at 1 

year. Stroke was a major secondary 

end point and was 

defined as a focal deficit lasting 

greater than 24 hours or 

a focal deficit lasting greater 

than 24 hours with positive 

neuron-imaging studies. 

Each event was adjudicated 

in a blinded review by the 

(CEC) and subclassified (ischemic, 

hemorrhagic, or undetermined 

etiology). 

There were a total of 47 

patients who had 49 neurological 

events, and most (72%) were ischemic. 

All-cause mortality at 1 year was 26.8% in 

the AVR group and 24.2% in the TAVR 

group, a non-significant difference (HR = 

0.93: P = 0.62). 

There was, however, a statistically significant 

difference in all neurological 

events between AVR 

and TAVR at 30 days (2.4% 

vs. 5.5%, respectively) and 1 

year (4.3% vs. 8.3%), according 

to Dr. Miller. Hazard 

analysis showed that 

there was an early high-peaking 

hazard phase and a later 

constant hazard phase for 

the likelihood of neurological 

events. 

In the early hazard phase, 

TAVR was a significant risk 

factor for neurological 

events (P =.001) vs. AVR, as 

was a smaller AVA index in 

the TAVR group (P = .02). 

In the late constant hazard 

phase, significant risk 

factors were patient- and disease-related, 

e.g., higher NYHA class (P = 

.02), stroke or TIA within 6-12 months 

(.002), and non-TF TAVR candidate (P less 

than .0001). 

In his conclusions, Dr. Miller emphasized 

that there were “remarkably low 30-day mortality 

rates in these very elderly, very high risk 

AATS Graham Foundation and 

TSFRE Awards 

(l to r) Thoralf F. Sundt, III, MD, President, Graham Education and 

Research Foundation; Antonio D. Lassaletta, MD, TSFRE Research 

Award; Zhigang Li, MD, Graham Traveling Fellow; Smita Sihag, MD, 

TSFRE Research Award; Thomas Bilfinger, MD, TSFRE Simulation in 

Thoracic Surgery Education Grant; Jules Lin, MD, TSFRE Research 

Grant; Marcelo Cypel, MD, Michael E. DeBakey Research Scholar; 

John S. Ikonomidis, MD, TSFRE Simulation in Thoracic Surgery Education 

Grant; Alec Patterson, MD, President, TSFRE. 


D. Craig Miller, MD, presented a cohort study of the 

PARTNER Trial in Monday’s Plenary Session. 

AATS 


aortic stenosis patients in both arms of the 

study (AVR = 8.0%, representing an O:E ratio 

of 0.68, and TAVR 5.2%).” All neurological 

events occurred more frequently in the 

TAVR arm compared to the AVR arm at 30 

days and 1 year. In the more favorable TF stratum, 

the rate of neurological events was approximately 

3-fold higher in the TF-TAVR 

group compared to the open AVR control 

group at 30 days (TAVR = 4.6% vs. AVR= 

1.4%, P = .04), which persisted out to 1 year 

(TAVR = 6.1% vs. AVR = 

1.9%, P =.03). All of these 

data are included in Dr. 

Smith’s PARTNER cohort 

A paper, which is in press in 

the New England Journal of 

Medicine. He also stated that 

“major stroke rates at 30 days 

were also very low (AVR = 

2.3% and TAVR 3.8%)”, but 

cautioned that the number 

of major strokes (29) was too 

small to support robust statistical 

hazard analysis or 

parametric modeling, which 

all was performed by Eugene 

Blackstone and Jeevanantham 

Rajeswaran at the 

Cleveland Clinic. 

He emphasized that the 

higher observed incidence 

of neurological events in the “non-TF candidate” 

stratum reflected the patient substrate, 

and was not related to the TA-TAVR or AVR 

procedures per se. 

Overall, taking the competing hazard of 

death into consideration, which is a strong 

force in these elderly patients with many comorbidities, 

the likelihood of being alive and 

having sustained a neurologic event was lowest 

in AVR patients in the TF stratum, and highest 

in the TA-TAVR group, he concluded. 

In another presentation during the Plenary 

Session, Kazuhiro Yasufuku, MD, suggested 

that endobronchial ultrasound–guided 

transbronchial needle aspiration 

(EBUS-TBNA) could replace mediastinoscopy 

for accurate staging of the mediastinum 

in non–small cell lung cancer 

(NSCLC). EBUS-TBNA is a relatively new 

modality for assessing the mediastinum and 

the hilum, with access to all of the mediastinal 

lymph nodes accessible by mediastinoscopy 

as well as N1 nodes, said Dr. Yasufuku 

of the University of Toronto. He and 

his colleagues performed EBUS-TBNA and 

mediastinoscopy, under general anesthesia, 

in 153 patients who required examination 

for suitability for lung resection. 

“Both methods correctly staged the mediastinum 

in 145 (or nearly 95%) of patients,” 

Dr. Yasufuku said. There were no 

complications in the EBUS-TBNA group; 

minor complications occurred in 2.6% of 

the mediastinoscopy patients. “In the hands 

of fully trained surgical oncologists, EBUS- 

TBNA has a very high negative predictive 

value and diagnostic accuracy comparable to 

mediastinoscopy,” he said. 

In a study conducted by Meena Nathan, 

MD, and her colleagues at the Children’s 

Hospital Boston and Morgan Stanley Children’s 

Hospital of New York–Presbyterian, 

technical performance in the OR was a major 

predictor of morbidity in infants and 

neonates undergoing open cardiac surgery. 

A significant difference in outcomes was 

seen between the 12 patients who had surgical 

reintervention and the 24 patients who 

had postoperative surgical or catheter-based 

interventions, she said. Intraoperative reintervention 

was associated with shorter mean 

postoperative ICU and hospital length of 

stays (13 and 20 days, respectively), compared 

with postoperative reintervention (30 

and 47 days, respectively). 

Massimo Lemma, MD, of the Luigi Sacco 

University Hospital discussed the results 

of the On-Off Study, a prospective, randomized 

trial comparing on- vs. off-pump 

Meena Nathan, MD, discussed predictors of morbidity 

in neonatal cardiac surgery. 

coronary artery bypass (OPCAB) surgery in 

high-risk patients. 

“Our results showed the importance of 

avoiding cardiopulmonary bypass, and 

thereby nonpulsatile flow, in high-risk patients 

who showed a significantly lower incidence 

of renal failure in the OPCAB 

group,” Dr. Lemma concluded. 

George J. Arnaoutakis, MD, of the Johns 

Hopkins Hospital discussed the effect of institutional 

volume on recipient risk as it affects 

short-term mortality in patients receiving 

heart transplants. 

Hartzell V. Schaff, MD, of the Mayo 

Clinic ended the session with a discussion of 

the expanding indications for septal myotomy 

in select patients with hypertrophic 

cardiomyopathy. 

■ 

AATS Allied 

Symposium 


A New Paradigm for Quality 

Assessment in On- and Off-Pump 

Cardiac Surgery 

12:30 pm – 1:35 pm PACC: Exhibit Hall 

Supported by Medi-Stim 


www.rapidsternalclosure.com · www.klsmartin.com · 800.625.1557


GT Session cont. from page 1 

Marc De Perrot, MD, and his colleagues at 

Toronto General Hospital. 

PAH was classified as idiopathic (iPAH) 

or associated with congenital heart diseases 

(congenital) or connective tissue diseases 

(CTD). Patients were divided into 1997- 

2004 and 2005-2010 cohorts. 

Out of 2,918 patients referred to their 

program since 1997, 316 presented with 

PAH (11%). In these patients, PAH was 

classified as iPAH (n=123), Congenital 

(n=77), CTD (n=102), and other 

(n=14). The number of referrals was similar 

between 1997-2004 and 2005-10. 

Eugenio Pompeo, MD, compared lung volume reduction 

surgical procedures. 

Among the 100 PAH patients listed for 

LT, 57 underwent bilateral LT and 22 had 

heart-LT. Eighteen patients on the waiting 

list died and 3 are still waiting. The waiting 

list mortality was higher for patients with 

CTD. 

No patient with iPAH died on the waiting 

list since 2005; 25% died prior to that 

time. 

After LT, the 30-day mortality decreased 

from 24% in the first cohort to 6% in the 

second, a significant difference. The 10- 

year survival was 56% after bilateral LT and 

49% after heart-LT, a nonsignificant difference. 

However, the 10-year survival was 

significantly worse for iPAH patients 

(42% vs. 70% for 

the remaining patients). 

LT is an option for 

a third of the patients 

with PAH referred 

for LT. Extracorporeal 

life support may 

help reduce the waiting 

list mortality, particularly 

for iPAH patients. 

The 30-day 

mortality post-LT improved 

significantly. 


“Patients with 

CTD have a high 

mortality on the 

waiting list, but enjoy 

excellent long-term 

survival,” he said. 

Takashi Nojiri, 

MD, of Osaka University 

and his colleagues 

reported on 

their analysis of elderly 

patients who 

had elevated preoperative 

brain natriuertic 

peptide levels 

after undergoing 

an elective pulmonary 

resection 

for lung cancer. 

They found that 

the incidence of 

postoperative cardiopulmonary 

complications was 

significantly lower 

in patients who received 

human atrial natriuretic peptide 

(hANP) group than in those who did not 

(26% vs. 86%). Patients in the hANP group 

had significantly lower postsurgery white 

blood cell counts and C-reactive protein 

levels. 

Devadatta Sarwate, MD, and colleagues at 

Franklin Square Hospital reported on their 

retrospective study of the last 59 patients undergoing 

bronchoscopic fiducial marker 

placement as potential candidates for stereotactic 

radiosurgery (SRS). 

All patients had EBUS performed to assess 

the mediastinum. Out of 50 patients who underwent 

lymph node sampling, 10 patients 

had CT evidence of nodal disease. 

Mark J. Krasna, MD, discussed NSCLC therapy in Monday’s 

General Thoracic Simultaneous Scientific Session. 

Mediastinal lymph nodes were positive for 

metastatic disease in an additional 8 out of 

50 patients (16%) without prior radiographic 

evidence of disease. These patients 

had been previously thought to be suitable 

candidates for SRS. 

“Because patients without radiographic 

evidence of mediastinal disease were upstaged 

16% of the time with subsequent alteration 

of their treatment regimens, EBUS- 

TBNA of the mediastinum should be 

considered as a standard approach prior to 

delivery of SRS,” Dr. Sarwate said. 

Domenico Galetta, MD, and his col- 

Continued on following page 


American Association 

for Thoracic Surgery 

2011 

Heart Valve 

Summit 

Medical, Surgical and 

Interventional Decision Making 

October 13 – 15, 2011 

JW Marriott Chicago 

Co-sponsored by: 

Program Directors 

David H. Adams, M.D., F.A.C.C. 

Steven F. Bolling, M.D., F.A.C.C. 

Robert O. Bonow, M.D., M.A.C.C. 

Howard C. Herrmann, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.S.C.A.I. 

Accreditation 

Space is Limited! Register 

today at www.aats.org/valve. 

Physicians 

The American Association for Thoracic Surgery is accredited by the 

Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide 

continuing medical education for physicians. 

This live activity is approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits TM 

Nurses 

The American College of Cardiology foundation is accredited as a 

provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses 

Credentialing Center’s commission on Accreditation. 

©2011 American College of Cardiology. H11144



leagues at the European Institute of Oncology 

performed pulmonary artery (PA) angioplasty 

in 130 patients with NSCLC. Sixty-eight 

patients received induction 

chemotherapy, and partial PA resection was 

performed in 126 cases. 

Operative mortality was 1.5%. Overall 5- 

and 10-year survival was 44% and 33.6%, respectively. 

Survival rates for patients with 

stages I and II versus stage III were 63.6% 

and 19.7%, respectively, at 5 years, and 

51.9% and 12.3%, respectively, at 10 years – 

both significant differences, according to 

the researchers. 

“Pulmonary artery reconstruction is safe, 

with low morbidity and with excellent longterm 

survival. Our results support this technique 

as an effective option for patients with 

lung cancer,” Dr. Galetta concluded. 

John A Harvin, MD, and his colleagues at 

the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center studied 

the frequency and outcome of positive circumferential 

radial margins (CRM) in patients 

undergoing esophagectomy after 

neoadjuvant chemoradiation. 

“Resections of locally advanced 

esophageal adenocarcinoma with residual 

transmural viable tumor after CRT resulted 

in a significant incidence of positive CRM, 

according to Dr. Harvin. 

Despite this, there was no difference in local 

control or survival compared to similar 

patients with clear radial margins. In contrast 

to studies showing significance of CRM in 

surgery-alone patients, CRT may mitigate 

the risk of a positive CRM,” Dr. Harvin 

said. 

The session was moderated by Bryan F. 

Meyers, MD, of Washington University and 

Joseph B. Shrager, MD, of Stanford University. 

■ 

AATS Attendees Enjoyed the Welcome Reception 


The AATS Daily News 

The Official Newspaper of the AATS 

91st Annual Meeting 

AATS Staff 

Executive Director: 

Elizabeth Dooley Crane, CAE, CMP 

Associate Executive Director: 

Cindy L. VerColen 

Managing Editor: 

Lorraine M. O’Grady 

Publication Staff 

Director, Elsevier Society News Group: 

Mark Branca 

Advertising Sales: 

Betty Ann Gilchrist, 203-938-3156 

Publication Editors: 

Mark S. Lesney, Elizabeth Wood 

Designer: 

Sarah L.G. Breeden 

Photographers: 

Martin Allred, Catherine Harrell 

Production Specialist: 

Maria Aquino 

Cover photos courtesy 

www.philadelphiausa.travel 

Left cover photo: ©Andrea Golod 

Right cover photo: ©philadelphiausa.travel 

©Copyright 2011, American Association 

for Thoracic Surgery, 900 Cummings 

Center, Suite 221-U, Beverly, MA 01915 

Produced and distributed for AATS by Elsevier 

Society News Group, an Elsevier 

company. All rights reserved. No part of 

this publication may be reproduced or 

transmitted in any form, by any means, 

without prior written permission of the 

AATS. The opinions expressed in this publication 

are those of the presenters and 

authors, and do not necessarily reflect the 

views of the Association. 

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President cont. from page 1 

cies, resulting in the integrated programs out 

of medical school. There also has been an increased 

interest in simulation. Rick Feins and 

his colleagues have done an outstanding job 

with the Boot Camp in teaching with the use 

of simulation technology. We are much 

more focused on use of sophisticated models, 

such as Web learning. Unfortunately, we 

have basically ignored teaching our residents 

to operate.” 

The reason is not lack of interest, 

according to Dr. Kron, but a lack of 

clarity of how to best to do this. 

There are different styles of teaching 

surgery, and there has been no 

attempt to standardize the teaching 

of technical procedure. 

There are real and legitimate 

obstacles to teaching surgery, he 

pointed out. Many believe that observation 

is the best way to learn 

surgery. Others believe that helping a resident 

is committing malpractice. “As a matter 

of fact, this was quoted to me by a 

prominent congenital surgeon. There is no 

question in my mind that he felt strongly 

that the best person to do that operation 

was himself. However, that certainly limited 

his ability to improve the next generation 

and perhaps improve the care for his 

own patients.” 

Time constraints are also a problem. Dr. 

Kron agreed that attending surgeons have 

time constraints in academic and private institutions, 

with many patients to look after 

and meetings to attend. 

But the main obstacle to teaching is the 

question as to whether the quality of the operation 

diminishes if a resident is involved 

during surgery, even under supervision. 

“There is no question that unsupervised care 

will lead to disasters,” Dr. Kron said. He cited 

the Libby Zion case in New York that led 

to the present work-hour restrictions, noting 

that the issue there was more about lack of supervision. 

In terms of evidence, however, 

‘We must teach surgical 

mentors the proper side of the 

table to stand on, and how to 

let their egos stand down in 

pursuit of the greater good.’ 

there are no publications in cardiac surgery 

that demonstrate that helping a resident hurts 

the outcome of the operation. “Conversely, 

there have been multiple publications demonstrating 

that complex procedures such as mitral 

surgery and off-pump coronary surgery 

can be successfully accomplished by supervised 

residents,” Dr. Kron said. 

What are the elements of truly teaching 

surgery? he asked. “I think most of us feel that 

they are pretty straightforward. You must be 

hands-on. You can’t teach from the office.” 

The first part is preparation: You must be 

there from the beginning and plan the operation 

ahead of time with the resident. The 

resident and the faculty member must be organized 

enough to know what is going on. 

Ideally, the attending and resident each operate 

in most cases. A lot of it is helping the 

resident, but some of it is the resident watching 

the attending doing complex maneuvers, 

according to Dr. Kron. 

However, the resident can’t learn just by 

reading or observing. Dr. Kron said. He cited 

the important concept of heuristics, which 

are rules of thumb that experts learn 

through trial and error. As examples 

of heuristics, there are motor heuristics, 

which include handling tissues 

and anastomoses; perceptual, meaning 

that “the trained eye” learns to 

recognize anatomic variants; and 

cognitive, which involve “planning 

a movement and checklists.” 

Heuristics help with common 

problems in teaching surgery. An 

example would be creating or planning proper 

geometry of anastomoses. “Surgical geometry 

is absolutely critical. Our former AATS 

president Tom Spray has mentioned that a 

mark of a good surgeon is being able to properly 

cut a patch without a whole lot of planning. 

Residents tend to focus on hemostasis 

rather than creating a patulous anastomosis. 

They need to be able to visualize what it 

should look like instead of worrying about 

one stitch at a time. This requires preparation 

before the operation. Simulation will 

definitely help here, particularly as it relates 

to repetitive tasks such as anastomoses,” said 

Dr. Kron. 

Addressing the wider aspects of mentorship, 

he quoted a Buddhist proverb that states, 

‘‘if you save a life, you are responsible for that 

life forever.” 

He applied this philosophy to residents, 

saying, “They become our heritage and responsibility 

forever. They are the fabric of our 

programs. We need to help them obtain 

work, subsequently help them through tough 

cases, and infrequently help them in their 

darkest hour. 

Dr. Kron tied this lesson to his own tragic 

experience in dealing with the death of his 

youngest son, Brian. 

“Mentorship is more than just about technical 

surgery, but about life. We as teachers 

must convey this to our residents and students. 

Balance is everything. We must be 

able to look after our families, our friends 

and ourselves. Teaching this aspect of humanity 

will make us better physicians and 

surgeons. If one stays obsessed with just the 

technical aspects of surgery, one will forget 

what makes us human.” 

“We must teach surgical mentors the 

proper side of the table to stand on, and how 

to let their egos stand down in pursuit of the 

greater good. It is without question that we 

can improve our teaching of these complex 

operations,” Dr. Kron said. 

“No resident should complete a program 

incompetent to perform surgery. They are 

our ‘surgical’ children. We must love and 

cherish them all,” Dr. Kron concluded. ■

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Presidential Address - American Association for Thoracic Surgery

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