Ventricular septal rupture (VSR) is a rare complication of myocardial infarction that requires surgical repair. Herein we describe a case of intraoperative VSR requiring a second bypass run and patch repair. This case highlights the importance of early reperfusion and poses concern for delayed patient presentation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective(s): Trainee assessments aim to identify areas for improvement and address problems within training programs. However, effectiveness is limited by an inability to assess programs anonymously. We hypothesized concern for undesired repercussions may discourage honest responses. To test this, we conducted a comprehensive survey of trainees to assess their educational and work-related experiences anonymously.  Design: A 51-question survey was distributed electronically to the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) membership. Questions were multiple-choice. The Likert scale was utilized.  Setting: The survey was accessed electronically and was completed by participants nationwide. Participants: Trainees were incentivized to complete the survey with the opportunity to receive a $50 gift card or TSRA textbook. 109 of 551 cardiothoracic surgery trainees completed the survey. Results: 109 trainees (109/551, 19.8%) completed the survey. 57.8% of respondents reported complying with work hour restrictions, but 32.2% (n=35) did not feel comfortable reporting violations honestly. The majority of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that their program was preparing them to independently perform low risk cardiac (4.19 [1.22]) and thoracic (4.08 [1.13]) cases independently, 30.3% of chief residents reported planning to pursue additional training. 66% of respondents stated they would select the same program again. 33% reported having high morale, 47.7% moderate and 19.3% poor or declining morale. 84.4% of respondents did not feel their race or gender significantly impacted their training, 26.6% reported systemic bias in recruitment of new trainees or faculty, and 38.5% believed there was inadequate diversity among faculty and trainees. 30.3% reported experiencing verbal or physical harassment by an attending or fellow (14.7%).  Conclusions: Despite reporting an overall positive operative experience, a significant number of trainees plan to pursue additional training. The survey identifies important areas for attention including underreporting of issues related to diversity, as well as verbal and physical harassment by fellows and attendings.

Ever since the adoption of the newest heart allocation system in the Fall of 2018, clinicians have grappled with the safest method of utilizing temporary mechanical circulatory support to get patients successfully to transplantation. In unique patients that do not have a durable left ventricular assist device as a therapeutic option and have not had a full work-up for transplantation consideration, the establishment of ambulatory extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an attractive solution.

A document by Zachary Enumah. Click on the document to view its contents.

Background: Transplant patients are known to be at increased risk of developing de novo malignancies (DNM). As heart transplant survival has increased, DNM represent an obstacle to further improving survival. We sought to examine the incidence, risk factors, and prognostic factors of post-transplant DNM. Methods: We studied adult heart transplant recipients from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database (1987-2018). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to determine annual probabilities of developing DNM, excluding squamous and basal cell carcinoma. Rates were compared to the general population in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Cox proportional hazards regression was performed to calculate hazard ratios for risk factors of DNM development, all-cause, and cancer-specific mortality. Results: Over median follow-up of 6.9 years, 18% of the 49,361 patients developed DNM, which correlated with an incidence rate 3.8 times that of the general population. The most common malignancies were lung, post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, and prostate. Risk was most increased for female genital, tongue/throat, and renal cancers. Male gender, older age, smoking history, and impaired renal function were risk factors for developing DNM, whereas the use of MMF for immunosuppression was protective. Cigarette use, increasing age, the use of ATG for induction and calcineurin inhibitors for maintenance were risk factors for cancer-specific mortality. The development of a DNM increased the risk of death by 40% (p<0.001). Conclusions: Heart transplant patients are at increased risk of malignancy post-transplant, particularly rare cancers. Strict cancer surveillance and attention to immunosuppressive regimens are critical for further prolonging post-transplant survival.