Transcatheter procedures in structural heart disease -- The surgeon
stepping-in.
Abstract
The seismic impact of transcatheter interventions is rocking the
spectrum of structural heart disease (SHD) treatment, with the
compelling and attractive appeal of minimally invasive procedures and
fast-track discharge. The trend is relentless and continual innovation
comes to our doors nearly on a daily basis. Litwinowicz and colleagues
describe their trailblazing experience in 223 consecutive patients in
whom they performed left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) via the
percutaneous route. All interventions were performed by surgeons, who
had undergone pre-training in a simulation model. Soon thereafter, they
were able to achieve outcomes that were comparable to those obtained by
experienced interventional cardiologists. The unique surgeons’ training
and skills in open-heart surgery make their contribution to perfection
and safety of SHD treatment, which are potentially exceptional and
distinctive. Extrapolating for the entire field of SHD, which is
blossoming ahead, the message to be conveyed is that cardiac surgeons
must be trained and embrace every aspect of SHD.