Resident / Fellow

Right ventricular (RV) failure occurs when the right ventricle does not maintain enough blood flow through the pulmonary circulation to achieve adequate left ventricular filling. This video reviews the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of RV failure after cardiac surgery.

Presenters: 
Nathalie Roy, MD 
Harvard University, Boston Children’s Hospital

Hitoshi Hirose MD, PhD
Thomas Jefferson University

Postoperative atrial fibrillation is the most common complication following heart surgery. This video will describe potential inflammatory components that contribute to this problem found in the pericardial space.  

Presenter:
Spencer J. Melby, MD
Barnes Jewish Hospital, Washington University in St. Louis

Cardiac surgery is an underappreciated contributor to the opioid crisis, with patients commonly utilizing opioid prescriptions months after their index procedure. This video addresses the historical basis for opioid-based anesthesia and analgesia in cardiac surgery and describes five programmatic strategies to reduce the perioperative use of opioids.  

Presenter:
Michael C. Grant, MD, MSE
Johns Hopkins Medicine

Lactate production is a consequence of cardiac surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass. Patients with elevated lactate levels have increased 30-day mortality. This video addresses the etiology of elevated lactate and aggressive treatment to ensure the best postoperative outcome.

Presenters:
Shahnur Ahmed 
Wayne State University 

Frank A. Baciewicz Jr., MD
Wayne State University 

Vasoplegic shock after cardiopulmonary bypass is characterized by refractory hypotension and high cardiac output with systemic vasodilatation. It also is associated with increased mortality. In this video, the latest strategies to prevent, mitigate, and treat this common problem are discussed.

Presenter:
Subhasis Chatterjee, MD
Baylor College of Medicine

Contributor:
Joseph Rabin, MD
University of Maryland Medical Center

Robotics is being called the “fourth industrial revolution.” For some cardiothoracic surgeons, robotics means smaller, faster, and easier, resulting in patients getting out of the hospital sooner, having less pain, and returning to function faster. For others, the jury is still out on whether or not robotics will add long-term value, especially if surgeons face potential carpal tunnel injuries, back pain, and cervical stenosis. David T. Cooke, MD, moderates a panel discussion with Robert E. Merritt, MD, Lana Y. Schumacher, MD, Melanie A. Edwards, MD, and Inderpal S. Sarkaria, MD.