The Society of Thoracic Surgeons is excited to gather for its 62nd Annual Meeting Jan. 29 – Feb. 1 in New Orleans, which brings together cardiothoracic surgeons worldwide and features late-breaking scientific research, cutting-edge technologies, innovative cardiothoracic surgery products, dynamic and interactive training, and meaningful networking and mentorship opportunities.
“Our Annual Meeting is one of the most important things we do as a professional society,” said STS President Joseph Sabik, III, MD. “It is our moment each year to come together as colleagues, trainees, and partners to examine where our specialty is today and to shape where it will go tomorrow. That spirit inspired this year’s theme: Teaching for Tomorrow Together.”
Held at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, the meeting offers attendees — more than 2,000 professionals at all career stages— an unforgettable experience with plenary sessions, breakout presentations, and the exhibit hall all conveniently located. That makes it easy for attendees to navigate and connect with colleagues and industry leaders.
The first day of the Annual Meeting will again kick off with the Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards Breakfast. Co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, this popular event honors women cardiothoracic surgeons who have distinguished themselves through excellence in clinical practice, groundbreaking contributions to the field, and outstanding leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise.
Celebrating Women CT Surgeons
The first day of the Annual Meeting will kick off with the fourth-annual Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Awards breakfast. The popular event, co-hosted by STS and Women in Thoracic Surgery, will celebrate women cardiothoracic surgeons who have excelled in clinical practice, made significant contributions to the field, and demonstrated leadership, mentorship, integrity, creativity, and expertise. Nearly 300 attendees are expected to attend the event to honor the award recipients, pay tribute to women’s progress in the specialty, and network with colleagues.
STS 2026 Clinical Program Offerings
Adult Cardiac Surgery
The J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Paper will present a randomized comparison of coronary artery bypass grafting guided by CT-derived fractional flow reserve versus traditional angiography, offering insights into how advanced imaging may improve surgical decision-making. Adult cardiac sessions also will feature the Clark Paper, which examines the management of moderate aortic stenosis in patients undergoing bypass surgery.
Additional presentations will explore:
- Strategies for managing new-onset atrial fibrillation after cardiac surgery
- The growing challenge of transcatheter aortic valve explantation
- The benefits of mitral valve repair over replacement in patients over age 65
- One-year results from endovascular repair of aortic arch lesions using a thoracic branched endoprosthesis, offering new data on its role relative to open surgery
- Whether prophylactic left atrial appendage occlusion reduces stroke risk in older patients without atrial fibrillation
General Thoracic Surgery
General Thoracic sessions will address critical issues in the management of esophageal and lung cancer patients. The Clark Paper will evaluate nodal upstaging rates and morbidity associated with the ACS Commission on Cancer Operative Standard 5.8, comparing it to other commonly used lymph node sampling guidelines using data from the STS General Thoracic Surgery Database. The Chamberlain Paper will explore the relationship between nodal assessment, pathological upstaging, and survival in patients with clinically node-negative non-small cell lung cancer undergoing resection—offering insights into the prognostic value of thorough lymph node evaluation.
Additional sessions will present:
- Data on the extent of nodal resection, upstaging rates, and outcomes associated with evaluating more than a single N1 lymph node
- Evidence-based guidelines on defining and performing sublobar resection
- Discussions on determining the most effective interventions for screen-detected lung nodules
Congenital Heart Surgery
Presentations will highlight innovative strategies and evolving technologies aimed at improving outcomes in congenital heart care. The James S. Tweddell Memorial Paper will feature an institutional machine learning model used to predict postoperative morbidity and mortality in adult congenital heart disease patients undergoing cardiac reoperations, demonstrating the power of AI in managing complex, high-risk populations. Another session will introduce a novel technique for heart procurement in donation after circulatory death, addressing ethical challenges while expanding the donor pool. Additionally, the Clark Paper will examine the impact of preoperative tracheostomy on outcomes following congenital cardiac surgery, using data from the STS Congenital Heart Surgery Database to inform perioperative risk assessment.
Perioperative and Critical Care
The J. Maxwell Chamberlain Memorial Perioperative Paper will analyze the effect of expedited discharge on 30-day readmission rates following lung resection, offering a national comparison between robotic-assisted and video-assisted thoracoscopic approaches. Sessions will also feature real-time clinical decision-making in the management of vasoplegia, as well as insights into minimally invasive cardiac surgery within the context of enhanced recovery protocols.
Additional topics will include:
- Strategies for managing severe postoperative anemia in patients who decline blood transfusions
- Evolving techniques for routine versus selective distal perfusion in VA ECMO
- The use of multimodal virtual reality combined with olfactory stimuli to reduce perioperative pain and anxiety in thoracic surgery patients
- Best practices for first-line treatment of cardiac arrest following surgery
End-Stage Heart & Lung Failure
Presentations will explore trends in thoracic organ transplantation, focusing on policy changes, donor characteristics, and multi-organ procedures. One study will highlight the positive impact of recent lung allocation score changes, and its effect on outcomes and nationwide bilateral lung transplant volume. Another will examine the use of COVID-19–positive donor hearts, the potential link between infection status and short-term survival, and implications for donor acceptance. Additionally, a session will present a nationwide analysis comparing heart-kidney transplants from donation after circulatory death (DCD) versus brain death (DBD) donors, highlighting higher rates of postoperative dialysis in the DCD group.
Quality, Education, and Wellness
Sessions will highlight emerging data and innovative strategies that are currently shaping the field of cardiothoracic surgery. One presentation will investigate whether general surgery residents are receiving adequate clinical exposure to cardiothoracic procedures by reviewing a decade's worth of graduating case logs to evaluate current training standards. A dedicated session on artificial intelligence will showcase a study assessing how cardiothoracic surgeons are incorporating AI platforms into various aspects of care, including operative planning, intraoperative decision-making, and postoperative care. Additionally, another talk will explore the impact of weekend admissions on immediate postoperative outcomes following major cardiac surgeries, contributing to ongoing quality improvement initiatives aimed at enhancing patient care.
Plenary Speakers
STS 2026 attendees will be treated to a lineup of speeches that promise to bring insight, inspiration, and unforgettable moments:
Vivien T. Thomas Lecture: Bestselling author Shola Richards will introduce a powerful framework for building psychological safety and seamless coordination—capabilities cardiothoracic surgical teams need to achieve optimal patient outcomes. His speech, “The Courage To Go Together™: Three Questions to Change How You Work, Live, and Lead,” equips teams to work, live, and lead with greater trust, clarity, and effectiveness.
Surgical Innovation and Leadership: Renowned cardiothoracic surgeon Frank Sellke, MD, will examine how innovation, collaboration, and mentorship drive surgical excellence and progress in high-stakes environments in the C. Walton Lillehei Lecture, “How to Become a Surgical Scientist, and Why Anyone Would Want To.”
Leadership in Adversity: Two-time World Series Champion Terry Francona will explore leading through adversity, building trust, and staying focused on a common goal in his plenary speech, “From the Dugout to the OR: The Art of Building a Winning Team.”
Future of Cardiothoracic Care: In his speech, “AI Across the Care Continuum,” Medtronic CEO Geoff Martha will outline how AI, robotics, and clinician–industry collaboration are redefining the OR and reshaping the surgeon’s role—accelerating advances that improve safety, precision, and patient outcomes.
Peak Performance Under Pressure: In his plenary talk, “Auditing Your Well-Being,” globally recognized Peloton instructor Ben Alldis will offer strategies for maintaining peak performance, prioritizing well-being, and staying motivated in high-demand environments.
Engaged Learning
STS 2026 will feature practical, hands-on courses covering a range of surgical procedures throughout the Annual Meeting, offering an engaging, immersive learning experience for residents, early career surgeons, and any surgeons looking to sharpen their skills. Topics include aortic annular enlargement, TEVAR techniques for aneurysms and dissections, mitral valve repair, complex central airway reconstruction, and the Ross procedure.
President’s Address and Reception
On Friday, January 30, join STS President Joseph A. Sabik III, MD, for his Presidential Address, where he will reflect on his career, key milestones, and his vision for the future of cardiothoracic surgery and the Society. That evening, STS will honor Dr. Sabik’s leadership with a special reception at Generations Hall, a historic venue celebrating the rich heritage and vibrant spirit of New Orleans jazz.
Hands-On Innovation and High-Stakes Competition
This year’s STS Annual Meeting exhibit hall will spotlight cutting-edge tools and technologies shaping the future of surgical practice, with live product demonstrations from 135 exhibitors. Attendees won’t want to miss the CT Surgery Resident Showdown, where North American and European champions will face off in a thrilling knowledge competition. Onsite industry symposia during lunch also offer valuable opportunities to explore the latest techniques and interventions.
There’s still time to register, add ticketed events, and start planning your New Orleans experience.