Patient Outcomes

New findings slated for presentation at the 2026 Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) Annual Meeting suggests that aortic hemiarch reconstruction provides outcomes comparable to more complex extended arch reconstruction in patients over age 65 with acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). John Spratt, MD, clinical assistant professor of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at University of Florida Health, will present Extended Arch Reconstruction for Acute Type A Dissection Does Not Impact Long-Term Survival or Reoperation in Patients Over Age 65: An STS-CMS Longitudinal Analysis during Sunday’s 11:15 a.m. adult cardiac session, “Tips & Tricks to Get Through Any Dissection.”

Image

The study used a risk-adjusted analysis of patients from the STS Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which includes millions of adult cardiac surgery records. Patients underwent surgery at U.S. hospitals over several years, with most receiving aortic hemiarch reconstruction and the remainder undergoing extended arch reconstruction. Researchers evaluated postoperative mortality, stroke, and the need for reintervention for aortic disease and found no significant differences in these outcomes among patients ages 65 and older.

Extended arch reconstruction is a more complex operation that includes replacement of the aortic valve and repair of the ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the major arteries branching from the arch. Hemiarch reconstruction, by comparison, involves replacement of the aortic valve and repair of the ascending aorta and the underside of the aortic arch. Because aortic dissections most commonly affect older adults and require emergency surgery, surgeons must weigh the benefits of a more extensive repair against increased operative time, longer heart-lung bypass duration, and greater neurologic risk—factors that older patients often tolerate less well than younger individuals.  

“You have to balance what a patient may need on paper, compared with what their overall risk profile is,” says Dr. Spratt. “The majority of patients age 65 and older will be fine with hemiarch reconstruction and have the same outcomes as they would with a higher-risk procedure.”
 

More than 300 attendees from around the world gathered in Seoul, Korea, on September 12–13 for the 2025 Heart Valve Disease Forum (HVDF), which was co-hosted by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and the Korean Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery (KTCVS). This year’s forum, centered on the theme “The Wonderland of the Tricuspid Valve: Unraveling Its Secrets,” offered an in-depth exploration of tricuspid valve disease, from anatomical foundations to advanced treatment strategies.

Image

The immersive, two-day event featured leading faculty from around the world and provided a multidisciplinary platform to examine the latest trends in diagnosis, surgical innovation, and clinical management of tricuspid valve pathology.

“This year’s HVDF covered the latest insights into the anatomic and physiologic basics, causes, diagnosis, treatment, and future of valve diseases, featuring scholars from various fields,” said HVDF President Kyung Hwan Kim, MD, PhD. “We facilitated discussion among experts, covering everything from foundational concepts to the latest trends in tricuspid valve research, including emerging surgical and treatment methods.”

Expert-Led Training and Hands-On Education

The program featured a comprehensive series of sessions, including mentorship programs, abstract presentations, poster sessions, and scientific debates, designed to foster both technical skill development and collaborative exchange. Hands-on wet labs allowed participants to practice complex procedures under expert guidance, while breakout discussions provided tailored instruction on topics such as tricuspid valve repair and the management of regurgitation in patients with atrial fibrillation.

“This year, we highlighted a particularly relevant topic: managing tricuspid valve disease in the setting of atrial fibrillation,” said Christopher Malaisrie, MD, of Northwestern Medicine. “The conference reflected growing global interest in the valve’s complexity and clinical significance.”

Advancing the International Dialogue on Valve Disease

Image

By combining practical skill-building with high-level academic dialogue, the HVDF continues to raise the bar for heart valve education. The English-language conference emphasized the importance of cross-cultural collaboration in tackling complex cardiothoracic challenges and provided a space for participants to engage directly with international experts.

With its emphasis on personalized mentorship, state-of-the-art content, and a focus on clinical translation, the 2025 HVDF reinforced its position as a premier global platform for advancing the science and practice of heart valve disease treatment.