The latest advances in mitral valve repair and replacement include a shift toward the transseptal platform. Gorav Ailawadi, Vinay Badhwar, Steven F. Bolling, and T. Sloan Guy discuss how catheter-based techniques will re-emulate the gold standard for mitral valve surgery, the important role of 3D Echo technology, the need for transseptal puncture skills, and navigating the local politics.

Numerous studies predict growing shortages in the physician workforce in the United States, especially among cardiothoracic surgeons. Five cardiothoracic surgeons and a fourth-year medical student discuss ways to address this impending shortage, including increasing the cap on residency slots, reducing the burden of training costs, and improving work-life balance.

In January, The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, the Society of Cardiovascular Anesthesiologists, and the American Society of ExtraCorporeal Technology released a clinical practice guideline on the use of blood thinning medication (anticoagulants) during heart surgery. In this episode, guideline coauthor John Hammon, MD speaks with two cardiothoracic surgeons (Gaetano Paone, MD and Richard Engelman, MD) and a perfusionist (Theron Paugh, CCP) about how the guideline will change clinical practice.

Recognizing the growing diversity of the population and patients in the US, STS created a special Task Force on Diversity and Inclusion to help cultivate an environment of inclusion and diversity within the Society, as well as the cardiothoracic surgery specialty. Task Force Chair David T. Cooke, MD hosted a roundtable discussion about diversity and inclusion in cardiothoracic surgery. His guests were Africa Wallace, MD, Luis Godoy, MD, and Jackie Olive.