EACTS News | Spring 2025

NEWS

THE QUARTERLY PUBLICATION FOR EACTS MEMBERS

THE AORTIC FORUM

Bringing together the most important and influential voices in the field of aortic surgery this June.

ISSUE

41

SPRING 2025

IN THIS ISSUE 2: Why EACTS membership matters 6: Improving outcomes for heart patients in underserved regions

8: Designing the future at the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting

10: Uniting the surgical community in Latin America

14: The latest EACTS guidelines 18: FFF Fellowship Programme opens for applications

EACTS NEWS

MEMBERSHIP

THE POWER OF COMMUNITY: WHY EACTS MEMBERSHIP MATTERS Members and non-members were recently invited to take part in a survey to help us understand the perceptions and value of EACTS membership. We received a fantastic response with over 560 responses from EACTS members, many of whom have held EACTS membership for over 10 years.

In addition, 1,891 non-members expressed their views.

Thank you to everyone who took part. The results reaffirm the strength of our community and highlight exciting opportunities for the future.

We will use these invaluable insights to consider the ways in which we can enhance our offer and how we can continue to attract and retain the cardiothoracic community in membership.

Thank you to everyone who took part. The results reaffirm the strength of our community and highlight exciting opportunities for the future.

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We encourage you to spread the word to colleagues that EACTS is for everyone within the global cardiothoracic community.

Spreading the word Despite the clear value of membership, there are still many cardiothoracic professionals who we have not yet reached.

Six out of ten members believe more colleagues should know about the benefits of joining, while 17% highlighted that colleagues in non-surgical roles might not realise they are also eligible to become members.

Membership satisfaction and key benefits Your feedback about EACTS membership was overwhelmingly positive. An impressive 96% of respondents believe EACTS membership provides good value and 95% of existing members plan to renew. This strong endorsement speaks to the impact of our educational resources, events, networking opportunities and access to cutting-edge research.

When we asked why people joined EACTS, 68% of you cited it as your preferred professional association, while many of you are motivated by the opportunity to advance the profession and improve patient outcomes. This shows a clear alignment between our members’ goals and EACTS’ values and mission.

Three-quarters of non-members who responded to the survey have never had EACTS membership, but a large majority agreed they are attracted by free access to journals, and over half of respondents noted the discounts on EACTS courses and events. Access to free-of-charge EACTS Academy online webinars is also enticing to non-members.

We encourage you to spread the word to colleagues that EACTS is for everyone within the global cardiothoracic community. What’s more, although European in name, EACTS is an inclusive association and we encourage people from around the world to consider the benefits of joining.

Looking ahead

– a word from our new Membership Manager, Danielle Hughes These survey findings provide a strong foundation for the future direction of EACTS membership. As we expand the education and services we offer, members will benefit from a larger educational programme, great discounts and networking opportunities at our flagship Annual Meeting, as well as access to data and research.

Your engagement and feedback shape the future of EACTS - thank you for giving us your views. If you know someone who could benefit from EACTS membership, now is the perfect time to invite them to join our thriving community.

If you would like to reach out with any feedback about your membership experience, including ideas for improvements, or just to say hello, please email membership@eacts.co.uk. Your input is invaluable to us to ensure we evolve and adapt to the needs of our members and to strengthen the wider community.

EACTS offered 1 year’s full membership to one lucky person who completed the survey. The name of everybody who participated was entered into a prize draw. Congratulations to the lucky winner Kambiz Hassan from Germany.

EACTS NEWS

CORPORATE

IN MEMORY OF DAVID FULLERTON On behalf of everyone at the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS) and the wider EACTS community, we would like to offer our sincere condolences to the family, colleagues and friends of the late Dr David Fullerton who passed away earlier this year. A revered colleague, mentor and friend, Dr Fullerton was an integral member of the EBCTS, leaving a legacy that will be honoured by all who had the privilege of working alongside him.

His influence extended across the global medical community. As president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), he championed innovation, collaboration, and access to care for all. A passionate advocate for certification, Dr Fullerton held key roles with the American Board of Thoracic Surgeons, serving as Director, Chairman, and Executive Director. His vision and leadership have helped shape professional standards in our discipline, ensuring excellence for future generations.

To the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery, he was more than a colleague – he was a wise advisor, a steadfast supporter and a friend. His contributions to our examinations, his dedication to excellence and his unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark.

Dr David Fullerton's memory will continue to inspire, and we honour his profound impact on our profession and the development and assessment of surgeons to achieve the highest standards for our patients.

NEWS

5

NEWS IN BRIEF CALL FOR NEW COMMITTEE MEMBERS The Residents' Committee is seeking two new European members to join the committee’s efforts to ensure cardiothoracic residents across Europe and beyond receive the training needed to thrive in their careers. The three-year terms will start on October 2025. One observer member vacancy is also available for one year from October 2025.

Deadline for applications is 9 May 2025.

This is an incredible opportunity to be part of a team striving to develop the next generation of cardiothoracic surgeons.

Find out more

DATA INSIGHTS FOR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT IN MCS The latest EUROMACS report has been published in EJCTS. Entitled ‘The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery Fourth report: Focus on standardised outcome ratios’, this report is the fourth of a series highlighting procedural trends and the outcomes of patients receiving mechanical circulatory support over time and across Europe.

A key aspect of this report is that for the first time, insights are based on measuring the Standardised Outcome Ratio for mortality, bleeding and ischaemic stroke.

Since its launch over a decade ago EUROMACS has become an important point of reference, enabling research and outcome monitoring relating to thousands of individual patients receiving mechanical circulatory support.

View the accompanying Editorial

I

View the report

NEW APPOINTMENTS IN WINDSOR

Danielle Hughes has joined EACTS as our new Membership Manager. With six years’ experience in the membership sector, previously working for a charitable housing organisation, Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge, working closely with members, building relationships and improving and enhancing membership benefits.

As Membership Manager, Danielle is committed to ensuring all EACTS members receive the best possible membership experience, through enhanced member engagement, membership benefits and developing the valuable resources already in place to support and grow the cardiothoracic community.

Gina White joins EACTS as Education Events Coordinator.

Working across project coordination and administrative support, Gina's role includes supporting the development of the EACTS Academy programme of events to ensure the best possible experience for all attendees. Gina will also be developing relationships with a range of individuals, including course directors, faculty members, industry contacts and suppliers, accreditation bodies and exhibitors.

Maia D’Souza joins EACTS as Events Assistant. Supporting the Events Team in the delivery of their programme of events including the flagship Annual Meeting.

Maia has three years of commercial business and events experience gained working on key scientific and laboratory accounts in the in the business and recruitment sectors.

EACTS NEWS

OUTREACH

IMPROVING PATIENT OUTCOMES IN UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES EACTS has launched a new outreach programme to improve outcomes for heart patients in underserved regions by advancing education initiatives.

The EACTS Outreach Programme will distribute grants of up to €20,000 with funding from the Edwards Lifesciences Foundation and the Every Heartbeat Matters (EHM) initiative to qualified surgeons involved in humanitarian work caring for patients who have limited access to heart valve treatments.

Recipients of the grants - who must be an EACTS member - will provide education, screening and patient care to reduce the global

burden of heart valve disease, and drive progress towards global equity in cardiothoracic, vascular and thoracic surgical care.

Commenting on the new programme, Patrick Myers, EACTS Secretary General, said, “Many EACTS members already engage in vital educational and humanitarian programmes, particularly in Africa. The EACTS Outreach Programme will drive and coordinate more of this important work – harnessing the expertise of EACTS members and fostering collaborations with industry partners, charities and other organisations. Together we can improve long term patient outcomes by opening up access to heart valve treatments around the world.”

By leveraging industry and charity contacts, EACTS aims to shift the focus from short-term missions to sustainable programmes that improve long-term patient outcomes in underserved regions, with growing interest from industry to fund such efforts.

Learn more about the EACTS Outreach Programme.

THE OUTREACH COMMITTEE To oversee the vital work of the Outreach Programme , a new Outreach Committee has been established. Chaired by Carlos Mestres, Extraordinary Professor at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at the University of the Free State in South Africa, the committee will award industry or charitysponsored grants to EACTS members.

Carlos Mestres, Chair of the Outreach Committee I have been a member of EACTS for more than 35 years and have served the Association in a number of different positions.

I am very proud to Chair the Outreach Committee supported by incredible committee members.

The Outreach Programme will contribute to global education, going beyond European borders to support low resource countries. The committee’s role is to facilitate opportunities to obtain grants, foster coordination with partners including industry, charities and foundations around the world, and harness the expertise of members.

Our phenomenal committee members come from different environments, but all have a history of outreach. Emily Farkas and Peter Licht have been involved in humanitarian projects with a particular focus on African countries. Rui Almeida is very active across South America and both Bruno Podesser and Francis Smit bring a wealth of experience and knowledge. This is a very strong team to achieve the goals of the EACTS Outreach Programme.

Work is already underway as we establish processes and hold conversations with industry partners. Applications for grants will open soon. Each application will be carefully peer reviewed by the Outreach Committee with a focus on supporting sustainable projects that will achieve real impact in improving patient outcomes.

The Outreach Committee • Carlos Mestres (Chair)

• Rui Almeida

• Emily Farkas

• Bruno Podesser

• Peter Licht

• Francis Smit

INNOVATION

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DRIVING THE INNOVATION AGENDA FORWARD World leaders from the surgical, research and academic specialties will meet in Paris next month to explore, shape and plan the future of cardiothoracic surgical interventions.

Hosted by EACTS, the 3rd Innovation Summit is an important part of our commitment to advancing the innovation agenda and provides a supportive and creative environment to exchange ideas.

A facilitated, interactive, working symposium of surgeons, cardiologists, allied health professionals, engineers, industrialists, biochemists, scientists, health economists and other academics, the meeting’s goal is to establish a global network of innovative thought leaders, supporting further networking, bolstering cross-discipline cooperation and generating a buzz of innovation within the cardiothoracic field.

Over 70 abstracts were submitted for presentation at the Innovation Summit, showcasing the very latest disruptive ideas from around the globe. Topics to be discussed include the use of AI and virtual reality in cardiothoracic surgery, robotics and perioperative cellular repair, and single-and multi-organ repair.

The successful recipients of the EACTS Innovation Grant Programme will also present at the meeting. Launched earlier this year, the grant programme is designed to support early stage, pump-priming and ‘stimulation’ research.

EACTS 3rd Innovation Summit takes place from 10-12 April 2025. Don’t miss all the highlights from the meeting in the next issue of EACTS News.

The meeting’s goal is to establish a global network of innovative thought leaders, supporting further networking, bolstering cross-discipline cooperation and generating a buzz of innovation within the cardiothoracic field.

EACTS Innovation Committee • Friedhelm Beyersdorf (Chair)

• Bardia Arabkhani

• Mark Hazekamp (Deputy Chair)

• Vibeke Hjortdal

• Jutta Arens

• Wouter Oosterlinck

Domain Representatives: Filip Casselman, Jurgen Horer, Korkut Bostanci and Florian Schoenhoff

Startups: Joseph Bavaria

Residents Committee: Nabil Hussein

• Sandy Engelhardt • Can Gollmann-Tepekoylu

Research Support and Advisory Service: Paola Quattroni, Edgar Daeter, Nick Freemantle, Milan Milojevic

ANNUAL MEETING

H EACTS ANNUAL MEETING

EACTS NEWS

ESIGNING HE FUTURE DESIGNING THE 39TH EACTS ANNUAL MEETING

THE FUTURE

VATE, DISCOVER, EDUCATE

October 2025 • Copenhagen, Denmark

INNOVATE, DISCOVER, EDUCATE

Registration now open Planning is now well underway for the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting with experts across our domains, task forces and committees focused on developing a fantastic scientific programme that will address the most prominent issues in cardiothoracic surgery, share new science and research, and examine the latest recommendations from topline guidelines.

We look forward to sharing more details about the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting soon, but you can expect: • Four days of top-tier learning • Delegate interaction and stimulating debates on topical and controversial subjects • Hands-on learning opportunities led by an expert faculty • Leading names in cardiothoracic surgery from around the world • Powerful keynote sessions and trial update sessions • Presidential Address, Honoured Guest and Closing Keynote Lectures • Interactive sessions curated by our task forces and committees.

WHAT PAST ATTENDEES SAY ABOUT THE EACTS ANNUAL MEETING*

Pioneering techniques and new-to-market technologies across cardiac and thoracic surgery will once again be presented during our highly rated Techno-College, taking place on 8 October. Ninety per cent of attendees* discovered something new, exciting or innovative at last year’s Techno-College.

Book your place at the largest cardiothoracic meeting in the world. Early bird fees are available when registration opens on 1 April.

Book now to secure your discounted early-bird rate.

98%

95%

95%

are likely to recommend the EACTS Annual Meeting to colleagues and fellow professionals

rated the quality of content as excellent, very good or good

plan on attending the next Annual Meeting in Copenhagen

*Of those attendees who completed the evaluation

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A GLOBAL PLATFORM FOR YOUR SCIENCE Take to the stage at the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting and present your research to a global audience. We are now inviting general abstract submissions until 30 April.

Abstract sessions are an important part of the scientific programme, and a great way to get your work noticed.

Submitted abstracts must summarise an original contribution, and must not have been submitted, published or accepted for presentation or publication elsewhere.

Learn more about submitting an abstract.

New in 2025! Pre-Trainees Abstract Submission

Industry opportunities

This year we are delighted to offer pre-trainees a fantastic opportunity to feature in this year’s scientific programme as part of the pre-trainee session.

Learn more and submit your abstract.

With a global attendance of over 5,000 members from the cardiothoracic community, the EACTS Annual Meeting is a high profile opportunity to showcase your products and services.

Submission deadline: 31 July 2025

From our popular trade exhibition to the entertaining and educational EACTS TV, we offer a variety of industry opportunities designed to align with your company’s objectives. These include:

Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Abstract Submission Calling all Nurses and Allied Health Professionals! Submit your abstract examining any part of the patient journey for the chance to be part of the programme for this year's Nurses and Allied Health Professionals session.

Last year’s call for abstracts attracted a strong response, covering a wide and impressive variety of topics, from paediatric cardiac surgery nursing to prehabilitation of cardiac surgery patients and older patients. This abstract session is a great opportunity to showcase the projects and research undertaken by nurses and allied health professionals to a larger audience.

Learn more and submit your abstract.

• Exhibition and industry learning labs • Satellite Symposia • Advertising and Communications Please contact industry@eacts.co.uk to learn more about industry opportunities at the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting

AATS

105th Annual Meeting 2 – 5 May 2025 | Seattle, Washington, USA

Submission deadline: 31 July 2025

The AATS 105th Annual Meeting will bring together surgeons from around the world for discussions, to ask hard questions, hear new perspectives and build on each other’s work.

The EACTS/AATS Foundation Academic Excellence Award

Join EACTS Vice-President, Rafa Sádaba at a joint AATS/EACTS session on Sunday 4 May to explore guidelines, big data and clinical trials.

This special award celebrates outstanding academic or scientific abstract or poster presentations. 'Work in progress' abstracts (specific guidelines apply) share the most up-todate science at this year's Annual Meeting.

Learn more and submit your abstract.

Learn more

Submission deadline (abstract and award): 31 July 2025

EVENTS

Uniting the surgical community in Latin America

The 2024 EACTS/STS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference in Buenos Aires was a record-breaking success, bringing together almost 500 attendees from 33 countries.

The exceptional scientific programme featured insightful analyses and expert-led presentations across adult and congenital cardiac surgery, including roundtables on heart transplant, advancements in aortic valve repair and new endovascular treatments as well as important discussions on endocarditis, a common condition across Latin America.

Rui Manuel Sequeira de Almeida, President of LACES, said, "The STS/ EACTS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference brings global expertise and the latest innovation in cardiac surgery to Latin America. It has become a very important meeting, particularly for surgeons early in their careers and for residents who may not have the resources to travel to Europe and North America. The Conference provides an opportunity to learn from global experts and benefit from their knowledge and experience. I am delighted that the meeting was so well attended; session rooms were packed, discussions were lively and the education was high quality.”

A showcase of cutting-edge research A diverse range of abstract presentations showcased cuttingedge findings, reinforcing the Conference’s commitment to innovation and excellence in cardiothoracic practice.

Lorena Montes, Chair of the LACES Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Committee and LACES President Elect, said, “The quality of both the abstracts and posters was extremely high and covered a wide range of topics such as SAVR versus TAVI and the David and Ross procedures. It was fantastic to discuss the research of surgeons working in Latin America but also the work of Latin Americans who are training overseas in North America, Europe or Asia. This meeting unites the region, bringing us together to learn from each other and gain a global perspective.”

Highlights from the three-day Conference included: • The LACES Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery Committee held a session focused on the different characteristics of women patients, exploring robotics and minimally invasive surgery for women with a mammary prosthesis and coronary surgery in women, examining the latest trials and the specific differences in vessels and tortuosity.

• A keynote by Juan Crestanello, Artificial Intelligence Is Here: How to Incorporate It into Our Daily Practice? highlighted the growing role of AI in clinical decision-making.

• The results of recent trials were discussed as part of the Residents’ Symposium.

• Three training sessions; Mitral Valve Repair, ECMO Cannulation and Aortic Arch Pathology - Treatment Options provided practical experience and gave attendees the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts in the field.

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Joseph Sabik, President of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), said, "The 2024 EACTS/STS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference was a huge success. It is a truly unique meeting, bringing together experts from North and South America and from across Europe to deliver a high-quality programme tailored to meet the specific needs of Latin American surgeons. Interesting discussions, valuable learning opportunities and a great atmosphere contributed to a special meeting.

"The collaboration with national societies in Buenos Aires was a key factor in the success of the LATAM Conference and we look forward to partnering with local organisations in Lima to deliver another fantastic meeting in December."

Rafa Sádaba, EACTS Vice-President, said, “The EACTS/ STS/LACES LATAM Conference is a unique opportunity to gather esteemed faculty from across Latin America, North America and Europe to share experiences and knowledge.

The feedback has been excellent with attendees recognising the comprehensive programme and the variety of activities aimed at all levels of expertise and experience.

Eighty-seven educational scholarships were provided through the STS's charitable arm, the Thoracic Surgery Foundation, and made possible by the generosity of the following organisations - Edwards Lifesciences Foundation, Gore and EACTS. These scholarships support cardiothoracic surgeons, physicians and residents from under-resourced institutions who are treating underserved patients or demonstrate financial need.

“The support of local surgeons in Argentina was important to the success of the Conference and I appreciate their involvement and commitment. The reputation of the LATAM Conference continues to grow and I look forward to building on this success.”

LATAM in numbers

Celebrating excellence at the EACTS/STS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference

93%

99%

Of attendees plan to apply the new information and skills learned to their work.

Of attendees would recommend the Conference to a colleague.

16 EXHIBITORS 105 abstract presentations, 43 presented orally, 37 moderated e-posters and 25 general e-posters.

Best oral presentation in the cardiac field Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Support in the Setting of Type A Aortic Dissection Repair – Too Little too Late?

2025

Michael Catalano, Philadelphia, USA

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

Best oral presentation in the congenital field

2025 STS/EACTS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference

Cone Repair for Ebstein Anomaly. Is it Always Feasible?

Aura Rivera, Bogata, Colombia Best moderated e-poster in the cardiac field Long-Term Outcomes of the Size 29-Epic Supra Aortic Bioprosthesis – A Large Risk-adjusted Analysis Murat Mukharyamov, Jena, Germany Best moderated e-poster in the congenital field Right Ventricular Cardiogenic Shock Associated with Intravenous Administration of Activated Charcoal: A Case Report Naomi Muñoz Macias, Cuauhtemoc, Mexico

December 4–6, 2025 Lima, Peru The 2025 STS/EACTS/LACES Latin America Cardiovascular Surgery Conference will explore the latest developments and best practices in coronary artery disease, congenital heart disease, thoracic aortic disease, atrial fibrillation, and the surgical management of heart failure.

Get notified when abstract submission and registration open.

EACTS NEWS

PUBLICATIONS

A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE After five years at the helm of the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EJCTS) Matthias Siepe is stepping down as Editor-in-Chief. During his tenure he has successfully navigated the journal through some significant changes whilst always improving the quality and reputation of the journal.

Here, he reflects on the role and his achievements.

I have been involved with EACTS journals for many years.

I first became involved thanks to my mentor, Friedhelm Beyersdorf, who was the former Editor-in-Chief of EJCTS. I began reviewing manuscripts and became more and more involved in discussions and strategic planning.

A virtual editorial office is a good strategy for EACTS. My first action as Editor-in-Chief was to move the editorial office from Freiburg to a virtual centralised office. Previously the editorial office moved with the Editor-in-Chief, but creating a virtual office provides greater stability.

Moving EJCTS to an online journal was a major achievement. Most people read or cite journals online so moving the journal to an online publication only was the right decision, supported by many EACTS members. It was inevitable and necessary to future proof the journal.

I’m also proud of my role consolidating the journal’s scientific content. Through all these changes the EJCTS has maintained its high-quality content, retained international visibility and remains one of the big three cardiothoracic journals globally. Importantly, the journal is now a profitable publication.

During my time as Editor-in-Chief I have got to know and work with many great people. In addition to a strong scientific and surgical background, a journal editor must have good people skills. There is considerable involvement with EACTS Council and committees, so being personable and easy to work with is important.

Matthias Siepe, Editor-in-Chief, EJCTS

I have been exposed to lots of science. As an Editor-inChief I now view science differently than a journal reader.

When I consider what makes a good quality manuscript I am, of course, reviewing the content, but I am always considering whether the paper will generate a reference.

I love the position of Editor-in-Chief but now is the time for fresh energy and new ideas to continue to build on the success of EJCTS. I look forward to reading the high-quality science as a reader rather than through the eyes of an editor!

In addition to a strong scientific and surgical background, a journal Editor must have good people skills. There is considerable involvement with EACTS Council and committees, so being personable and easy to work with is important.

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PUBLICATIONS

Our world-renowned, high-quality publications are trusted within the cardiothoracic surgical community for advancing knowledge, disseminating best practice and promoting research excellence.

Editor’s Choice

Latest articles/ videos

EJCTS

EJCTS

2024 EACTS Guidelines on perioperative medication in adult cardiac surgery Anders Jeppsson, Bianca Rocca, Emma C Hansson et al

ICVTS

Are current follow-up intervals justified in patients with non-emergent aortic surgeries?

Joseph Kletzer, Tim Berger, Stoyan Kondov et al

MMCTS

Yasui procedure for an interrupted aortic arch type C with an aberrant right subclavian artery from the pulmonary artery: right subclavian artery-free graft technique

The First International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement (ICHOM) Standard Dataset for Reporting Outcomes in Heart Valve Disease: Moving From Device- to Patient-Centered Outcomes Emmanuel Lansac, Kevin M Veen, Andria Joseph et al

ICVTS

Pulmonary expanded polytetrafluoroethylene conduits with a hand-sewn tricuspid valve Shunsuke Matsushima, Ryota Takahashi, Sara Kubo et al

MMCTS Tutorial Beating heart arch replacement without circulatory arrest: a standardized surgical strategy Jamie Romeo, Anne Simone Lotfalla, Erik P J Körver et al

MMCTS Case Report Edge-to-edge repair with ring annuloplasty for post-transplant biopsyrelated tricuspid regurgitation Sooyun Caroline Tavolacci, Corazon de la Pena & Suguru Ohira

Fabian A. Kari, Sebastian Michel, André Jakob et al

MMCTS Residents’ Tutorial Competition Applications are now open for the 2025 MMCTS Residents’ Tutorial Competition. Presented by EACTS and the Thoracic Surgery Residents Association (TSRA) the competition recognises the best core skills video tutorial with a particular focus on technical quality, surgical skills, and educational clarity.

Tutorials submitted to the competition will be eligible for publication in MMCTS (the Multimedia Manual of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery).

Last year's winner, Manuel Egle, from the Bern University Hospital in Switzerland, said, “I am very happy that my team and I won the MMCTS Residents' Tutorial with our video 'Surgical techniques for cardiac procurement, preparation and perfusion using the

Organ Care System'. Furthermore, I am delighted that our video has been published on the MMCTS platform, which is one of the most important and valuable platforms providing surgeons of all experience levels.”

Winners receive the Marko Turina Award for Best MMCTS Residents’ Tutorial. The lead author of the winning submission will receive complimentary admission to the relevant year’s EACTS Annual Meeting and an Award Certificate.

Deadline for applications - 1 May 2025 Learn more

2025

GUIDELINES

GUIDELINES 2024 EACTS/EACTAIC/EBCP Guidelines on cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in adult cardiac surgery The 2019 EACTS/EACTA/EBCP Guidelines on CPB in Adult Cardiac Surgery provided the first comprehensive European clinical guidelines in the field. With recent advances in research that unveiled new evidence related to CPB, it was necessary to update the 2019 guidelines.

The revised guidelines reaffirm the foundational practices and incorporate new recommendations that align with the latest evidence-based medicine and contemporary European clinical practices. They expand the guideline's scope with additional sections addressing crucial topics, such as temperature management and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA).

Learn more

Guidelines Webinars The Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) webinar series is designed to demonstrate the utility of guideline-directed care in cardiothoracic surgery through bridging theoretical knowledge with practical insights.

WEBINAR

Aortic Disease

Perioperative Medication

Available on demand

17 June | 18:00 – 19:30 CET and available on demand

The inaugural webinar will focus on all known aspects of the natural history, diagnosis and treatment of both acute and chronic aortic pathologies. Presenting two case studies, this webinar will provide practical insights into how the EACTS/ STS Guidelines for diagnosing and treating acute and chronic syndromes of the aortic organ can be applied to improve skills, surgery and patient outcomes.

This engaging webinar will delve into evidence-based strategies for perioperative medical treatment and prophylaxis, guided by the latest EACTS Guidelines on Perioperative Medication in Adult Cardiac Surgery. Through real-world case studies, this webinar will explore practical approaches to mitigating perioperative risks, enhancing recovery, and maximising quality of life after cardiac surgery – all while considering the impact on healthcare costs and resource utilisation.

Learn more

Learn more and register

Guidelines: Perioperative Medication Tune in to the latest episode of the A Cut Above podcast to deepen your understanding of perioperative medication.

Working group members Anders Jeppsson and Emma Hansson offer author insights on the recently published 2024 EACTS Guidelines on perioperative medication in adult cardiac surgery, exploring the fundamental intricacies considered to ensure these diverse guidelines are current and clinically applicable. Alongside host

Miia L Lehtinen, they discuss how the varied specialities of clinical intervention contribute to individual patient needs, including indication specific medication schedules, and the nuanced effects these bring to patients.

LISTEN NOW

EDUCATION

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EACTS and ESTS come together to establish the Unified European Board of Thoracic Surgery (UEBTS) examination A new examination has been developed for thoracic surgeons which brings together the assessments of UEMS/ EBTS and EACTS/EBCTS into a single unified certification.

Setting a new standard for excellence in thoracic surgery certification, the Unified European Board of Thoracic Surgery (UEBTS) Examination (Level 1 Membership or Level 2 Fellowship) is a recognised and essential qualification that has been developed to promote the practice of high-quality patient care in Europe and beyond.

The Unified European Board of Thoracic Surgery (UEBTS) is a collaborative initiative led by the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS), European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), and the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS).

We encourage candidates to test their knowledge, judgement and clinical management of thoracic surgery, guided by the new combined syllabus and, crucially, acquire their UEBTS certification.

Stephen Clark, Chairman of the European Board of Cardiothoracic Surgery (EBCTS), explains, “The newly developed Unified European Board of Thoracic Surgery (UEBTS) Examination represents a significant milestone in the field of thoracic surgery in Europe.

For years, UEMS/EBTS and EACTS/EBCTS have conducted separate examinations in the discipline at Membership and Fellowship levels, competing for the same pool of talented young surgeons seeking to validate their knowledge and professional judgment.

“Recognising the strength in unity, our organisations have worked collaboratively to merge these assessments into a single, rigorous examination schedule built on modern assessment science and educational best practices.

This joint initiative, proudly endorsed by both scientific associations ESTS and EACTS, sets a new standard for excellence in thoracic surgery certification. Available for application immediately, this examination is a testament to professional co-operation, ensuring the highest standards for thoracic surgeons, patients and healthcare providers alike.”

The UEBTS will test candidates’ knowledge, judgement and clinical management of thoracic surgery, guided by the new combined syllabus and, crucially, acquire their UEBTS certification.

For more information on the UEBTS Examination

Save the date! The 9th MCS Summit will bring together acclaimed world leaders in the field of MCS for a busy programme, highlighting current developments in MCS as well as novel concepts and new opportunities. Over 350 participants from 33 countries attended the MCS Summit last year and 99% agreed that the Summit was a good investment*. *Of those attendees who completed the evaluation.

ENCES

ITS

ER

M

The EACTS Mechanical Circulatory Support Workshop offers an opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the annual EACTS MCS Summit. Clinicians who want to acquire more skills in this delicate area will learn key aspects and vital skills of MCS surgical procedures from an internationally recognised group of experts.

CON

Join us for the MCS Workshop on 26-27 June in Turin, Italy, and the MCS Summit on 20-22 November in Berlin, Germany. SAVE €100 on your MCS Summit registration if you attend the MCS Workshop!

F

Mechanical Circulatory Support in 2025

& SUM

SAVE THE DATE

Learn more at eacts.org

AN UNMISSABLE ALL-STAR PROGRAMME Prague, Czech Republic I 18-20 June 2025 Join an all-star line-up of speakers at this year’s Aortic Forum, including leading global names who founded the field and surgeons who are advancing the care of patients with innovative approaches to treating aortic diseases.

Be part of the high-quality programme at the 2025 Aortic Forum

The Aortic Forum is an unmissable opportunity to get up to date with the latest developments in the field of aortic valve repair and surgery, learn from live surgery and interact with peers and experts.

Martin Czerny, member of the Aortic Forum Task Force, said, “The Aortic Forum will take you on a journey of acute and chronic aortic pathology from the root beyond bifurcation and provide a comprehensive update on all currently available open combined procedures and transcatheter techniques for treating the entire aortic organ.”

Amongst the topics featured during the three-day meeting will be the ‘EACTS/STS Guidelines for Diagnosing and Treating Acute and Chronic Syndromes of the Aortic Organ'. The impact of these guidelines will be discussed during many of the sessions during the Aortic Forum.

According to Thomas MacGillivray, Immediate Past President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and task force member, “The Aortic Forum is a terrific meeting bringing together the international community to focus on the state-of-the-art management of aortic diseases.

"The treatment of patients with aortic diseases has evolved from a niche area to become a truly global field, with more advanced treatment options available from endovascular solutions for complex problems to understanding genetics.

Large strides have been made in endovascular therapies and technology in recent years, and this will be a particular focus of the Aortic Forum 2025.”

The programme for the Aortic Forum is excellent but, as EACTS Vice-President and task force member, Rafa Sádaba, describes, the event also offers “a safe and welcoming environment to ask questions and enjoy stimulating conversations.”

Register today

Presenting your abstract at the Aortic Forum is a fantastic opportunity to have your work discussed by renowned experts in the field. Submit your abstract on one of the following topics: • Root • Arch • Dissection • Descending/TEVAR Abstract submission closing date is 11 April 2025.

Learn more

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2025

UPCOMING COURSES Thoracic Webinar 2: AI / Digital Technology and What the Future Might Look Like

9 April, Online

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm and Dissections: Post operative management

10 April, Online

Case Corner: Thoracic Disease

24 April, Online

Next Generation: An Introduction to Cardio-Thoracic Transplantation

24 April, Online

Endoscopic Port-Access Mitral Valve Repair Drylab Training

12 – 13 May, Maastricht, The Netherlands

Vascular Webinar 2: Heritable Thoracic Aortic Disease

15 May, Online

Congenital Imaging

20 – 21 May, Windsor, UK

Next Generation: Type A Aortic Dissection – The Ticking Time Bomb

22 May, Online

Case Corner: Aortic Conditions

22 May, Online

Fundamentals in Congenital Heart Disease Webinar 3

11 June, Online

Management of wounds post surgery

12 June, Online

The Aortic Forum

18 – 20 June, Prague, Czech Republic

For the most up-to-date course details visit www.eacts.org Courses and dates subject to change

EACTS NEWS

FELLOWSHIPS

NEW SKILLS, NEW EXPERIENCES A Francis Fontan Fund fellowship provides the opportunity to learn from the best in cardiothoracic surgery and be part of an everincreasing global network. With applications open for fellowships in acquired cardiac disease and other initiatives, now is the time to advance your surgical education and benefit from the ‘experience of a lifetime’.

New opportunities Alongside popular fellowships such as Aortic Root and Valve Repair, and Advanced Intensive Postoperative Care, three new fellowships have been added to the growing number of opportunities available to EACTS members.

Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Fellowship in partnership with Medtronic

This new fellowship aims to provide a comprehensive overview of PC-MCS, including current practices, surgical outcomes and cutting-edge research in this oftenoverlooked area of surgical training.

Fellows will visit each of the three fellowship centres for one week: • Maastricht University Medical Centre (MUMC), the leading centre for international, worldwide clinical investigations on post-cardiotomy MCS.

Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy Fellowship Designed for early-career surgeons who have already gained significant experience, this fellowship offers a one month stay in a European chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) centre to learn different strategies of repetitive circulatory arrest and reperfusion, perioperative protocols (including ICU management) and indications for surgery. This fellowship is particularly valuable if the fellow’s home centre is considering the development of a CTEPH multidisciplinary Unit.

Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Fellowship The goal of the fellowship is to provide the fellow with the opportunity to learn a wide range of transcatheter procedures, both aortic and mitral, increasing her/his skill in multimodality imaging evaluation, wires and catheter skills. The fellowship will provide great exposure to and active participation in standard and complex procedures, all performed percutaneously.

• Gasthuisberg Hospital in Belgium.

• Vienna Medical University in Austria.

These visits offer the opportunity to access clinical and simulation sessions, together with case discussion and presentation by the teams involved in these programmes.

Additionally, fellows will have the opportunity to continue their involvement in research and centre initiatives beyond the fellowship.

With applications open for fellowships in acquired cardiac disease and other initiatives, now is the time to advance your surgical education and benefit from the experience of a lifetime.

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Here is the complete list of fellowships currently open for application. Deadline for applications is 1 May 2025.

Acquired Cardiac Disease: Atrial Fibrillation in partnership with AtriCure Advanced Intensive Postoperative Care Fellowship

Here’s what past fellows say about the FFF Fellowship Programme Alejandro Gonzalez-Caldevilla Fernandez, past recipient of the Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship "Embarking on this aortic fellowship in Europe was an exciting opportunity to learn from some of the most innovative minds in the field, deepen my expertise, and contribute to advancing cardiovascular care on a global scale.”

Aortic Root and Valve Repair Fellowship Extracorporeal Life Support (ECLS) Fellowship Mitral Valve Repair Fellowship MiCS Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (MiCS-CABG) Fellowship in partnership with Medtronic Off-Pump Coronary Artery Bypass Fellowship in partnership with Medtronic OPCAB Extended Fellowship in partnership with Medtronic

Arnaud Henkens, past recipient of the MiCS Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (MiCS-CABG) Fellowship "I’m very grateful to have been chosen as a part of the MICS CABG Francis Fontan Fellowship. I believe this is a once-in-a-career chance to enhance my knowledge and skills while learning from the best in the field!"

Pulmonary Thromboendoarterectomy Fellowship Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship in partnership with Medtronic Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (TAVI) Fellowship

Other Initiatives: Ukrainian Support Fellowship MSc Statistics for Clinical Trials at UCL Nurses and Allied Health Professionals Fellowship in partnership with AtriCure Travelling Leadership Fellowship for Women in Cardiothoracic Surgery in partnership with AtriCure

S.Sebastian Aboul-Hassan, Robotic Cardiac Surgery Fellowship "It is a great honor and privilege to have the great opportunity to be the Robotic Cardiac Surgery Francis Fontan Fellow. This fellowship offers the chance to gain extremely valuable theoretical and practical skills before starting our Robotic Program at our Institution."

This year fellowships have been recategorised by specialty, making it easier to find the right fellowship to meet your professional goals. Applications for fellowships in acquired cardiac disease and other initiatives are now open. Applications for fellowships in thoracic disease, congenital heart disease and collaborations will open on 1 July 2025.

THE 39TH EACTS ANNUAL MEETING

DESIGNING THE FUTURE INNOVATE, DISCOVER, EDUCATE 8 - 11 October 2025 • Copenhagen, Denmark Join us in Copenhagen for the 39th EACTS Annual Meeting.

For 2025 you can expect robust debate and discussion led by global experts, the latest technological advances on display and an opportunity to share knowledge and socialise with your peers from around the world.