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David A. Fullerton, MD, Renowned Cardiothoracic Surgeon and Former President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, Dies at 72

Dr. David Fullerton, the ultimate gentleman surgeon, trainee advocate, and protector of patient safety, passed away peacefully on Dec. 15, 2024, at the age of 72. His death marks the loss of a revered physician, educator, and leader whose contributions to the specialty have left an indelible mark on the lives of countless patients and medical professionals alike.

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Over the course of his distinguished career, he became known for his exceptional skill in complex procedures, his compassionate care, and his tireless commitment to advancing the practice of cardiothoracic surgery and critical care.

Born in Texas, Dr. Fullerton received his undergraduate degree from Southern Methodist University and his medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine. He completed a residency in general surgery at the University of Washington and a cardiothoracic surgery residency at the University of Colorado.

Dr. Fullerton went on to work at Northwestern University in Chicago as Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery and Director of the Thoracic Surgery Residency Program. He later returned to the University of Colorado, where he led the Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery from 2003-2022, while also serving as Director of Cardiothoracic Surgical Research and Director of the University’s Thoracic Surgery Residency Program. In addition, he served as Cardiac Surgeon-in-Chief and Co-Medical Director of the Cardiothoracic Surgical Intensive Care Unit for the University of Colorado Hospital.

A leader within the medical community, Dr. Fullerton served as president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons in 2014-15. Under his leadership, STS made significant strides in enhancing surgical standards, promoting innovation, and fostering collaboration among clinicians and researchers. His advocacy for improved quality metrics and the incorporation of evidence-based practices in thoracic surgery earned him respect among his peers and inspired the next generation of surgeons. In his presidential address, Dr. Fullerton made an impassioned plea for expanding access to heart and lung surgery in underserved areas of the world.

Dr. Fullerton also dedicated a significant part of his professional career to the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons, serving as a Director, then as Chairman and Executive Director. Reflecting on his time with the ABTS, Dr. Fullerton said, “As a specialty, what we do is inherently high-risk and…requires great skill and leadership. ABTS board certification is a tangible demonstration that one has accomplished what is required to be a thoracic surgeon.”

Dr. Fullerton also held prominent leadership positions at the American College of Surgeons, Thoracic Surgery Directors Association, Thoracic Surgery Foundation, and Western Thoracic Surgical Association.

Throughout his career, Dr. Fullerton received numerous honors and awards, including recognitions as America’s Top Doctor and Best Doctors in America. He was a sought-after speaker at medical conferences. His passion for education was evident in his mentorship of young surgeons, many of whom went on to achieve great success in their own careers.

Dr. Fullerton's legacy extends far beyond his technical expertise. He was known for his integrity, his unwavering commitment to his patients, and his generosity in sharing knowledge. He mentored hundreds of medical students, residents, and colleagues in both academia and community-based practice.

His genial and welcoming nature defined him. He was truly the quintessential gentleman – respectful and always lending an ear and his keen mind to listen to a variety of opinions and thoughts from anyone. Dr. Fullerton's contributions to the profession have left an enduring mark on the specialty, and his influence will be felt for years to come.

He is survived by his wife, Christine, sons Patrick and Daniel, and a host of colleagues, friends, and former trainees who will remember him as a mentor, leader, and friend.

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The 2024 Latin American Cardiovascular Surgery Conference, held over three days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, attracted leading experts from Europe, Latin America, and North America to address topics in cardiovascular medicine, including coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, atrial fibrillation, and heart failure.

"The conference provided a diverse range of sessions to accommodate surgeons at all stages of their careers," explained Program Chair Rafael Sadaba, MD, Navarra University Hospital, Pamplona, Spain. “Residents and early career surgeons benefited from dedicated sessions, while experienced surgeons had the opportunity to delve into complex procedures and cutting-edge techniques.”

The program offered a comprehensive overview of the latest advancements in cardiac surgery. It featured scientific abstracts, technical videos, and interactive discussions on a variety of topics, including the current state of heart transplantation in Latin America, the use of mechanical circulatory support devices, the role of ECMO in treating cardiogenic shock, and advanced surgical techniques for mitral and aortic valve repair.

“This year, I was particularly interested in the session on the Ross Procedure, an operation that has been around for a long time but has experienced renewed interest over the past few years," said EACTS Secretary General Patrick Meyers, MD, Lausanne University Hospital, Switzerland. 

The three-day event highlighted women's cardiac health, particularly tailored approaches and complex treatments for women of reproductive age.  Other sessions focused on managing aortic dissection, advancing transcatheter valve therapies, and providing lifelong care for patients with conditions such as aortic stenosis.

The conference concluded with hands-on workshops that allowed participants to practice skills such as mitral valve repair and ECMO cannulation, making it an essential platform for advancing cardiac care in Latin America.

Check out our event photo gallery. 

A groundbreaking surgical achievement has been made by the team at West Virginia University (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute, led by Dr. Vinay Badhwar, the executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and the second vice president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. On October 31, 2024, the team performed the world’s first combined robotic aortic valve replacement (AVR) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) through a single small incision.

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The pioneering procedure was performed on 73-year-old Poppy McGee, a patient with a complex medical history, including a stroke, brain surgery, and significant weight loss. Referred to Dr. Badhwar for treatment of both aortic valve disease and coronary artery disease, McGee initially faced the prospect of traditional open-heart surgery. However, when she and her family learned of its risks—over a 10% chance of mortality and nearly 50% likelihood of complications—they inquired about alternative options.

Dr. Badhwar explained his team had developed a novel robotic approach that had yet to be tested on a patient. After a thorough discussion of the risks and benefits, McGee and her family agreed to proceed with the innovative robotic surgery.

The procedure involved both AVR and CABG, performed entirely robotically through a single incision on the far right of McGee’s chest. The success of the surgery has sparked optimism about the potential for broader adoption of robotic heart surgery for patients with complex conditions.

“While we are still in the early days of this latest innovation, the ability to perform valve surgery and coronary artery bypass surgery fully robotically through a single incision has the potential to open up a new era of robotic heart surgery,” Dr. Badhwar noted in a prepared statement. “We must always keep quality outcomes at the forefront of all innovation. However, if surgeons adopt and gain experience with techniques such as this one, they will tackle this last frontier that previously limited a robotic approach. One day in the near future, this may serve as a platform to perform nearly all types of heart surgery.”

This revolutionary procedure potentially paves the way for less invasive operations. Dr. Lawrence Wei, a professor at the WVU Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, remarked on the impact of this advancement: "Patients who have both valve disease and coronary artery disease have traditionally been treated by open-heart surgery performed through the breastbone. This new robotic technique could redefine how we approach these cases."

Dr. Goya Raikar, an assistant professor at WVU and a member of Badhwar’s robotics team, also underscored the procedure's significance: "Until now, the main exclusion for us to perform a robotic approach has been the coexistence of valve and coronary artery disease. Building on our experience with robotic aortic valve surgery, this new approach may help us extend robotic surgery options to many more patients."

The patient’s daughter, Mollie Wilcosky, expressed gratitude for the groundbreaking care provided by the WVU team. “We are so thankful for Dr. Badhwar and the team at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute for developing this robotic procedure to help my mother recover so well,” Wilcosky said. “She is getting stronger every day.”

The full details of the procedure will be in The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, highlighting how innovative approaches like this continue to redefine the future of cardiothoracic surgery.

References:
•    Cardiovascular Business article on the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute's groundbreaking surgery.
•    WV News article detailing the multidisciplinary team and procedural innovations at WVU Medicine’s WVU Heart and Vascular Institute.
 

The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) and the Asian Society for Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery (ASCVTS) recently co-hosted the inaugural Aortic Summit 2024 in Tokyo, Japan. This international event brought together leading experts in the field to discuss advancements in the diagnosis and treatment of thoracic aortic lesions, including endovascular approaches.

The summit was designed to cater to a diverse audience, including cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, CT residents, perfusionists, and ICU and OR nurses. 

The comprehensive three-day program covered a wide range of topics, including root, arch, descending aorta, TEVAR, dissection, and hybrid procedures. Participants had the opportunity to learn from experts, network with colleagues, and gain valuable insights into the latest techniques and technologies.

"The sessions delved into the latest developments through a series of presentations, panel discussions, and hands-on workshops," said Yutaka Okita, MD, Congress President for the STS-ASCVTS Aortic Summit 2024. "The event featured a number of eminent speakers from all over the world, who shared their expertise and achievements with attendees.”

On October 25-26, 2024, more than 230 members of perioperative and critical care teams from around the world gathered in Philadelphia for the 2024 Perioperative & Critical Care Conference. The conference focused on the latest techniques and management strategies in cardiovascular and thoracic critical care, as well as enhanced recovery after surgery. Participants gained valuable insights and practical strategies aimed at optimizing patient care and improving outcomes. 

The two-day event covered a wide range of topics, including fundamentals of waveforms and monitoring, goal-directed hemodynamic therapy and AKI prevention, ECMO fundamentals, improving communication in the cardiothoracic intensive care unit, and vasoplegia management. 

Here's what a few attendees said about the Perioperative & Critical Care Conference:

•  "In the ECMO session, we not only saw the latest in technology and innovation, but also learned techniques that will help us treat our patients and get them out of the hospital in better condition,” Dr. Jeremiah Hayanga, West Virginia University Health System
• "The conference was well-paced and engaging. The speakers were captivating, and the discussions were thought-provoking. The two days flew by!"
• "The STS team did a fantastic job with the logistics of this large-scale conference. The recordings and slides will be a great way to review the material and share it with colleagues.”
• "The conference was informative and highlighted areas where we can improve our practices. I appreciate the multidisciplinary focus, which is essential for optimal patient care."
•  "As an APP, I truly enjoyed the conference and felt that the presentation and topics aligned well with my role. I look forward to attending again next year."

Check out our event photo gallery.