Background Screening protocols do not exist for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs). A risk prediction algorithm may aid targeted screening of patients with an undiagnosed ATAA to prevent aortic dissection. We aimed to develop and validate a risk model to identify those at increased risk of having an ATAA, based on readily available clinical information. Methods and Results This is a cross‐sectional study of computed tomography scans involving the chest at a tertiary care center on unique patients aged 50 to 85 years between 2013 and 2016. These criteria yielded 21 325 computed tomography scans. The double‐oblique technique was used to measure the ascending thoracic aorta, and an ATAA was defined as >40 mm in diameter. A logistic regression model was fitted for the risk of ATAA, with readily available demographics and comorbidity variables. Model performance was characterized by discrimination and calibration metrics via split‐sample testing. Among the 21 325 patients, there were 560 (2.6%) patients with an ATAA. The multivariable model demonstrated that older age, higher body surface area, history of arrhythmia, aortic valve disease, hypertension, and family history of aortic aneurysm were associated with increased risk of an ATAA, whereas female sex and diabetes were associated with a lower risk of an ATAA. The C statistic of the model was 0.723±0.016. The regression coefficients were transformed to scores that allow for point‐of‐care calculation of patients' risk. Conclusions We developed and internally validated a model to predict patients' risk of having an ATAA based on demographic and clinical characteristics. This algorithm may guide the targeted screening of an undiagnosed ATAA.

Key Points Question What is the association between cardiac surgeons’ years in practice and operative outcomes on coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgery? Findings In this cross-sectional study of data from early-career (<10 years) and late-career (>10 years) cardiac surgeons practicing between 2014 and 2016 in New York, a lower number of years in practice for cardiac surgeons was significantly associated with a higher risk-adjusted mortality rate in valve procedures. The risk-adjusted mortality rate was similar across different numbers of years in practice for CABG procedures. Meaning In this study, early-career status in cardiac surgeons was associated with worse surgical outcomes for valve operations, which suggests that additional complex valve surgery training in residency and mentorship guidance in early practice may be warranted.

Background: The Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19) pandemic forced an unprecedented shift of postoperative care for cardiac surgery patients to telemedicine. How patients and surgeons perceive telemedicine is unknown. We examined patient and provider satisfaction with postoperative telehealth visits following cardiac surgery. Methods: Between April 2020 and September 2020, patients who underwent open cardiac surgery and had a postoperative appointment via telemedicine were administered a patient satisfaction survey over the phone. Time of survey administration ranged from 1 to 4 weeks following their appointment. Surgeons also completed a satisfaction survey following each telemedicine appointment they conducted.Results: Fifty patients were surveyed. Of these, 36 (72%) had a postoperative appointment over the telephone, and 14 (28%) had a postoperative appointment via video-chat. Overall, patients expressed satisfaction with the care that they received via our two telemedicine modalities (mean Likert scale agreement 4.8, SD 0.5).Despite this, 46% of patients said they would prefer their next postoperative appointment to be via telemedicine even if there was not a stay-at-home order in place. All surgeons surveyed reported (agree/strongly agree) that they would prefer to see their postoperative patients using telemedicine.Conclusions: These findings highlight acceptability of continuing telemedicine use in the postoperative care of cardiac surgery patients.

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Background: We analyzed center-level outcome correlations between valve surgery and coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) in New York (NY) State and how volume-outcome effect differ between case types. Methods: We used the 2014-2016 NY cardiac surgery outcomes report. Center-level observedto-expected (O/E) ratio for operative mortality provided risk-adjusted operative outcomes for isolated CABG and valve operations. Correlation coefficient characterized the concordance in center-level outcomes

Using trajectory preplanning, customized face masks, and noninvasive head immobilization, LITT can be delivered to patients safely and accurately without general anesthesia.

Totally endoscopic, robotic-assisted cardiac surgery has been increasingly utilized for valvular surgery. Peripheral cannulation with endoaortic balloon occlusion offers a safe approach for initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass during such procedures. We present a step-by-step demonstration of unilateral percutaneous femoral cannulation, endoaortic balloon positioning, and decannulation in a patient undergoing totally endoscopic, robotic-assisted mitral valve repair.

Background and Aim: In 2011, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) restricted the first-year residents' duty-hour to less than 16-hour shifts, decreased the maximum shift duration for senior residents, and increased minimum time off after on-call duties. Whether these changes may have impacted the outcomes in cardiac surgery remains unclear. Methods: We performed a difference-in-difference analysis of the New York State Cardiac Surgery Reporting System data in 2004-2006 (before the dutyhour policies change) and 2014-2016 (after the change). We evaluated differences in 30-day risk-adjusted mortality rates (RAMR) in coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) and valve surgeries, stratifying data by hospital type: teaching hospitals (TH) versus nonteaching hospitals (NTH). NTH served as the control not affected by the duty-hour policies.Results: (1) The overall surgical volume for CABG surgery has decreased over time (37,991), while the volume for valve surgery remained similar (20,532);(2) TH had better short-term outcomes for CABG procedures during 2014-2016 (median RAMR: 1.01% vs. 1.55% in TH vs. NTH, respectively; p = .025) as well as for valve procedures during both 2004-2006 (5.16% vs. 7.49%, p = .020) and 2014-2016 (2.59% vs. 4.09%, p = .033); (3) at difference-in-difference analysis, trainees' duty-hour regulations were not associated with worsening short-term outcomes in both CABG (p = .296) and valve (p = .651) procedures performed in TH. Conclusion:The introduction of the 2011 trainees' duty-hour regulations was not associated with worse short-term outcomes for CABG and valve surgery performed in the State of NY by TH.