Our Summary

This article is about the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database, which is the most extensive and well-established database for heart surgery. This database has been crucial in measuring and improving the quality of heart surgeries, creating accurate benchmarks for performance, and enabling new research. Recent improvements have made the database even more functional, user-friendly, and valuable to various stakeholders. This report is the sixth in a series of yearly reports that provide updates about the number of cases, outcomes, developments related to the database, quality improvement efforts, and research summaries using the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database over the past year.

FAQs

  1. What is the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Adult Cardiac Surgery Database?
  2. How does the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database contribute to quality improvement in cardiac surgery?
  3. What new enhancements have been added to the Adult Cardiac Surgery Database recently?

Doctor’s Tip

One helpful tip a doctor might tell a patient about cardiac surgery is to follow post-operative instructions carefully, including medication schedules, activity restrictions, and follow-up appointments. It is important to communicate any concerns or changes in symptoms to your healthcare team promptly to ensure a successful recovery.

Suitable For

Patients who are typically recommended cardiac surgery include those with coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, aortic aneurysms, congenital heart defects, and other structural heart conditions that cannot be effectively treated with medications or less invasive procedures. These patients often have symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue, and/or palpitations, and may have evidence of heart dysfunction on imaging tests or other diagnostic studies. The decision to recommend cardiac surgery is based on a thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history, symptoms, imaging findings, and overall health status, as well as consideration of the risks and benefits of surgery compared to other treatment options.

Timeline

Before cardiac surgery:

  • Patient undergoes initial consultation with cardiac surgeon to discuss treatment options
  • Patient undergoes pre-operative testing such as blood work, imaging studies, and electrocardiogram
  • Patient may be placed on medications to optimize heart function and reduce risk of complications
  • Patient receives education on what to expect during and after surgery

After cardiac surgery:

  • Patient is monitored closely in the intensive care unit immediately following surgery
  • Patient may require mechanical ventilation and other supportive measures
  • Patient begins physical therapy and rehabilitation to regain strength and mobility
  • Patient is discharged from the hospital and continues follow-up care with their healthcare team
  • Patient may experience improvements in symptoms and overall quality of life following successful surgery.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What specific type of cardiac surgery do I need?

  2. What are the risks and potential complications associated with the surgery?

  3. How experienced is the surgical team in performing this specific procedure?

  4. What is the expected recovery time and rehabilitation process after the surgery?

  5. Will I need any follow-up care or medication after the surgery?

  6. What are the success rates for this type of surgery at this hospital or with this surgical team?

  7. Are there any alternative treatment options to consider?

  8. What can I do to prepare for the surgery and optimize my outcome?

  9. How long will I need to stay in the hospital after the surgery?

  10. What lifestyle changes may be necessary after the surgery to improve my heart health?

Reference

Authors: Bowdish ME, D’Agostino RS, Thourani VH, Schwann TA, Krohn C, Desai N, Shahian DM, Fernandez FG, Badhwar V. Journal: Ann Thorac Surg. 2021 Jun;111(6):1770-1780. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2021.03.043. Epub 2021 Mar 29. PMID: 33794156