STS Press Center

Welcome to The Society of Thoracic Surgeons' Press Area. Here you will find the latest information on advances in thoracic surgery, research breakthroughs, and press releases issued by the society. Please check back often for the latest news.

Shortage of New Heart Surgeons Predicted

Medical Liability Premiums Threaten Healthcare Delivery (April 2003)

STATEMENT BY THE SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS ON THE SUPREME COURT’S OPINION ON THE U.S. FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION’S AUTHORITY OVER THE TOBACCO INDUSTRY (March 27, 2000)

Society of Thoracic Surgeons supports regulation of tobacco by FDA

STS PRESS RELEASE ANNOUNCES ANNUAL MEETING (January 6, 2000)

Society of Thoracic Surgeons Meeting to Feature Research in Advanced Surgical Techniques, Quality of Life Issues

THORACIC SOCIETY PRESIDENT ENCOURAGES FOCUS ON PATIENT CARE IN MEDICAL PROPOSAL (June 29, 1999)

President's Proposal on Coordinated Patient Care Presents Opportunities

EUROPEAN CLINICAL TRIAL SHOWS POTENTIAL FOR NEW BEATING-HEART BYPASS SURGERY(3/4/99)

A clinical study appearing in the just released issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery suggests that an experimental medical device allows a cardiothoracic surgeon to perform heart bypass surgery on a beating-heart with outcomes comparable to traditional heart bypass surgery. The study also implies that patients undergoing the experimental procedure experienced fewer side effects than patients receiving traditional heart bypass surgery. A press release is available online.

NITRIC OXIDE PROVES EFFECTIVE IN TREATING SERIOUS COMPLICATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH LUNG TRANSPLANTATION(1/27/99)

Clinical Study Suggests Nitric Oxide Use Immediately After Lung Transplantation in Conjunction With Existing Therapies Has a Therapeutic Effect and Will Help Save Lives According to Findings Presented During The 35th Annual Meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons. A press release is available online.

SPECIALIZED CARE AND VENTRICULAR ASSIST DEVICES HELP SAVE PATIENTS LIVES AFTER UNSUCCESSFUL HEART SURGERY (1/26/99)

Findings Presented During The Society Of Thoracic Surgeons' 35th Annual Meeting In San Antonio, TX, Identify How Focused Care And VAD Use Help Patients Overcome Potentially Fatal Complications – Health Centers Urged To Review Data To Improve Survival Rates. A press release is available online.

CLINICAL TRIAL RESULTS SUGGEST RECOMBINANT DNA GENE THERAPY IS A SAFE AND EFFECTIVE TREATMENT FOR PATIENTS WITH "INOPERABLE" HEART DISEASE(1/26/99)

Phase 1 Findings Presented During The Society Of Thoracic Surgeons' 35th Annual Meeting In San Antonio, TX, Indicate That The Injection Of phVEGF165 Directly Into A Patient's Heart Helps To Significantly Reduce Angina Episodes. A press release is available online.

STUDY OF 340,000 HEART BYPASS PATIENT FINDS MORTALITY RISK SIGNIFICANTLY HIGHER FOR WOMEN. FINDINGS OF THE SOCIETY OF THORACIC SURGEONS' NATIONAL CARDIAC SURGERY DATABASE REINFORCE NEED FOR WOMEN'S HEALTH RESEARCH.(7/29/98)

Women with low to moderate risk factors have a significantly higher chance of operative mortality during and immediately after heart bypass surgery when compared to men of equal risk, according to research published in the just released July, 1998 issue of The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. [ A press release is available online.

Find out about the national media coverage of this study.