In this issue, read about how the pandemic impacted heart surgery and how the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network became involved in COVID-19 research. Also don’t miss the recap of the most recent STS Annual Meeting, and learn the details of the new Longitudinal Outcomes Dashboard (now a part of the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database), the latest on the lung cancer screening guidelines, and more.
Pandemic Slows Down Heart Surgery, Cuts Volume in Half
A recent, comprehensive analysis of data from the STS National Database illustrates the sharp reduction of adult cardiac surgery volumes during the first wave of the pandemic and also shows the resulting consequences on surgical outcomes.
New Officers, Directors Elected
New STS officers and directors were elected or reelected during the virtual Annual Membership (Business) Meeting held in conjunction with the Society’s 57th Annual Meeting.
Member News: Spring 2021
Find the latest updates on STS member job changes, promotions, and appointments, including for Drs. John Conte, David Tom Cooke, James Cox, Joseph Forbess, Zachary Kon, Timothy Mullett, Michael Weyant, Brendon Stiles, James Gammie, and Kaushik Mandal.
President's Column: Moving Forward
Becoming STS President is an incredible honor and a major highlight of my professional career. Being the first Canadian general thoracic surgeon to assume the role is a further privilege for which I am grateful. I am very much looking forward to working with STS surgeon leaders, our membership, and the highly capable team of hardworking and supportive STS staff as we represent and advocate for our members and patients around the world.
CT Surgeons Rise to Challenge, Lead Way in COVID Clinical Trials
The Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network has been involved in important research that addresses evidence gaps and answers meaningful questions in cardiothoracic surgery. With the onset of the pandemic in early 2020, its scope of work dramatically changed and pivoted toward critically ill COVID-19 patients. This would be the first time that the Network would become involved in studying areas related to infectious disease.
New Longitudinal Dashboard Brings ‘Years of Data to Your Fingertips’
STS has developed the new Longitudinal Outcomes Dashboard for the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database—a first-of-its-kind, interactive, and data-driven tool that is unlike any other resource available in the specialty.
Highlights of the STS 57th Annual Meeting
For the first time in an all-virtual format, more than 2,700 professional registrants joined the Society’s 57th Annual Meeting in January. Read the details of inspiring keynote lectures, including the Presidential Address from Joseph A. Dearani, MD, the social and wellness events, Immersive Video Experiences, Shark Tank, award winners, and more.
New TSF Awards Offer Support for Underrepresented, Traveling Surgeons
The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) soon will accept applications for two new awards: the Underrepresented Robotic General Thoracic Surgeon Development Award and the TSF/Francis Fontan Fund International Traveling Fellowship.
Washington Scene: New Lung Cancer Screening Guidelines Expand Eligibility
Read the latest on the Society's push for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to reopen its National Coverage Determination for low-dose computed tomography lung cancer screening, update its screening risk criteria, and remove barriers to patient care. Also, STS continues its fight to permanently reverse pending Medicare reimbursement cuts and introduces the Key Contact of the Year.
News Briefs: Spring 2021
Read about the new wellness task force, popular STS podcast episodes, the most-downloaded Annals articles, the virtual coding workshop, and more.
