The Society of Thoracic Surgeons co-presented the 2026 Heart Valve Disease Forum (HVDF) with the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery on Sept. 10-11 in Seoul, South Korea, bringing together experts from around the world to explore the latest advances in aortic valve and root surgery.
Centered on the theme "Restoring Harmony in Aortic Valve & Root Surgery," the forum offered insights into the anatomy, physiology, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and future directions of valvular heart disease.
The meeting attracted 333 participants from 15 countries and featured lectures, case-based discussions, wet labs, and abstract presentations. Key topics included minimally invasive and robotic heart valve surgery, valve-sparing root replacement, aortic root enlargement, and the surgical management of failed transcatheter aortic valve replacement.
“Exceptional presentations, live surgery, and truly engaging discussion translated innovation into impact for patients across Asia and beyond,” said STS President Vinay Badhwar, MD.
A highlight of the forum was a live surgical case involving annular enlargement. The patient had severe symptomatic aortic stenosis and a small aortic root and underwent aortic valve replacement with a bioprosthetic valve and posterior aortic root enlargement using the Yang procedure.
The operation was performed by Seung Hyun Lee, MD, chief of cardiothoracic surgery at Severance Hospital and Yonsei University, and Bo Yang, MD, of the University of Michigan. Dr. Badhwar moderated the case from the audience, while S. Christopher Malaisirie, MD, of Northwestern Medicine, moderated it from the operating room.
Conducted in accordance with the new live surgery policy, the case received positive feedback from attendees and marked the first successful live operative demonstration performed under the policy. Most importantly, the patient experienced no reported complications.
The successful case represented an important step in advancing international surgical education while maintaining the standards and safeguards established for live operative demonstrations.
Through partnerships and programs such as the Heart Valve Disease Forum, STS continues to foster global collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation in cardiothoracic surgery.
