Our Summary

This research paper looked at how many women were involved in leading and writing important studies (called randomized controlled trials or RCTs) about heart surgery. They looked at studies published between 2000 and 2022. They found that only around 14% of these studies were led by women, and almost 30% of the studies didn’t have any women authors at all. When they looked at all the authors involved, only about 18% were women, and only a tiny fraction (1.2%) were actually women who are heart surgeons. When they compared studies led by men and women, they found that the ones led by women had more women authors. However, they didn’t see any increase in the number of women authors over the time period they studied. They also found that studies from North America had more women authors compared to other regions. Interestingly, they didn’t find any link between the number of women authors and the number of women who were actually participating in the studies as patients. So, in simple terms, they found that women are underrepresented in leading and writing heart surgery studies, and this hasn’t improved over the last 20 years.

FAQs

  1. What percentage of heart surgery studies were led by women between 2000 and 2022?
  2. Has there been an increase in the number of women authors of heart surgery studies over the past two decades?
  3. Did the studies find a correlation between the number of women authors and the number of women participating in the studies as patients?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about cardiac surgery is to ask about the gender diversity of the research team behind the procedure being recommended. Research has shown that studies led by women tend to have more women authors, which could potentially lead to a more diverse and inclusive approach to patient care. Patients should feel empowered to inquire about the diversity of the medical team and research behind their treatment plan.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended for cardiac surgery include those with:

  1. Coronary artery disease: Patients with blockages in the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle may require coronary artery bypass surgery or angioplasty with stent placement.

  2. Valvular heart disease: Patients with diseased or damaged heart valves may need valve repair or replacement surgery.

  3. Congenital heart defects: Patients born with structural heart abnormalities may require surgical intervention to correct the defect.

  4. Heart failure: Patients with advanced heart failure that is not responding to medical therapy may be candidates for procedures such as ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation or heart transplant.

  5. Aortic aneurysm: Patients with an enlarged or weakened aorta may require surgery to repair or replace the affected portion of the blood vessel.

  6. Arrhythmias: Patients with abnormal heart rhythms may need surgical procedures such as pacemaker implantation or catheter ablation.

  7. Other conditions: Patients with certain types of heart tumors, infections, or complications from previous heart surgeries may also be recommended for cardiac surgery.

Timeline

  • Before cardiac surgery:
  1. Patient undergoes medical evaluation to determine if surgery is necessary and safe.
  2. Patient may undergo various tests such as echocardiogram, stress test, and blood work.
  3. Patient meets with surgeon and anesthesiologist to discuss the procedure and potential risks.
  4. Patient may need to make lifestyle changes or take medications to prepare for surgery.
  • After cardiac surgery:
  1. Patient is monitored closely in the intensive care unit (ICU) immediately after surgery.
  2. Patient may need to stay in the hospital for several days to recover.
  3. Patient will undergo cardiac rehabilitation to help with recovery and improve overall heart health.
  4. Patient will have follow-up appointments with their surgeon and cardiologist to monitor progress and address any concerns.
  5. Patient may need to make further lifestyle changes such as diet and exercise to maintain heart health.

What to Ask Your Doctor

Some questions a patient should ask their doctor about cardiac surgery include:

  1. What specific type of cardiac surgery do you recommend for my condition?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with this surgery?
  3. How experienced are you with performing this type of surgery?
  4. What is the success rate of this surgery for patients with similar conditions to mine?
  5. How long is the recovery period and what can I expect during the recovery process?
  6. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider before undergoing surgery?
  7. Will I need any additional tests or evaluations before the surgery?
  8. What can I do to prepare myself physically and mentally for the surgery?
  9. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?
  10. What long-term follow-up care will be necessary after the surgery?

Reference

Authors: Soletti GJ, Perezgrovas-Olaria R, Dimagli A, Harik L, Rong LQ, Bairey Merz CN, Rahouma M, Sandner SE, Gelijns AC, Gaudino M. Journal: Ann Thorac Surg. 2023 Sep;116(3):643-649. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2023.01.022. Epub 2023 Jan 25. PMID: 36706973