This week on The Beat, CTSNet Editor-in-Chief Joel Dunning speaks with CTSNet Board Member Dr. Keith Naunheim, Vallee L. and Melba Willman Professor and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Saint Louis University School of Medicine, about artificial intelligence (AI) in cardiothoracic (CT) surgery.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:31 Guest Preview, Dr. Naunheim

02:34 Clinic Notes via AI

04:41 Congenital Challenging Anatomy

06:47 Exposing Intramyocardial LAD Artery

09:28 Multiple Stent Grafts, Aorta Aneurysm

11:33 AVR w M & TVR, R-Anterior Thoracotomy

13:50 Dr. Naunheim, AI in CT Surgery

34:33 Upcoming Events

35:16 Cardiac Surgical Arrest Series

36:37 Robert Lowery Obituary

38:38 Closing

They discuss how AI will affect and impact CT surgery, where AI is already incorporated in the CT surgery world, and the importance of field-testing AI. They also explore the pros and cons of AI and being proactive about using AI. 

Joel also highlights a recent JANS article on left axillary thoracotomy for closure of ventricular septal defect in an infant with situs solitus and extreme levoposition of the heart.  

In addition, Joel explores a surgical technique of exposing the intramyocardial left anterior descending artery, open surgical repair of a giant abdominal aorta aneurysm filled with multiple stent grafts, and aortic valve replacement with mitral and tricuspid valve repair via a right anterior thoracotomy. Before closing, Joel highlights upcoming events in CT surgery.   

JANS Items Mentioned 

1.) Creating Opportunities From Challenging Anatomy: Left Axillary Thoracotomy for Closure of Ventricular Septal Defect in an Infant With Situs Solitus and Extreme Levoposition of the Heart 

CTSNET Content Mentioned 

1.) Surgical Technique of Exposing Intramyocardial Left Anterior Descending Artery 

2.) Open Surgical Repair of a Giant Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm Filled With Multiple Stent Grafts 

3.) Aortic Valve Replacement With Mitral and Tricuspid Valve Repair Via a Right Anterior Thoracotomy 

Other Items Mentioned 

1.) Cardiac Surgical Arrest—An International Conversation, Part 1 

2.) Obituary for Dr. Robert Lowery 

3.) Winners of the 2025 CTSNet Instructional Video Competition  

4.) Career Center  

5.) CTSNet Events Calendar 

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