https://sole.hsc.wvu.edu/Apps/News/rss/SchoolofMedicine/Cardiovascular-and-Thoracic-Surgery50 most recent storiesen-USa76bc844-2945-422a-81e2-234cd5bdc27ahttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=dr-j-w-awori-hayanga-named-president-of-national-cardiothoracic-surgery-organizationWVU Heart and Vascular Institute clinical and research leader J.W. Awori Hayanga, MD, MPH, MHL, has been appointed president of the Association of Black Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgeons (ABCTS), advancing the organization's mission to promote diversity, mentorship, and excellence in cardiothoracic surgery while improving care for underserved communities.Fri, 10 Apr 2026 00:00:00 -04002026-04-10T09:33:44-04:005f735570-fdba-4959-9501-e6348c47a73fhttps://www.wvnews.com/wvumedicine/mehaffey-named-to-cardiovascular-business-forty-under-40-class-of-2026/article_59952781-3783-4447-8d7e-e0af1cec6f04.htmlA WVU Heart and Vascular Institute surgeon has joined a select group of highly accomplished clinicians, researchers, entrepreneurs, and administrators named to the Cardiovascular Business Forty Under 40 Class of 2026. Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -04002026-03-23T11:29:11-04:00cdf32c94-465d-4bce-9fbb-c8d2522552f3https://www.wtrf.com/top-stories/dont-ignore-the-signs-local-cardiologist-warns-subtle-symptoms-can-signal-heart-disease/Tuesday marks the start of a special Heart Month series focused on the warning signs many people don't recognize until it's too late.Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 -05002026-03-02T07:46:21-05:0043c43d7d-73bf-43b5-b642-012d4231ccadhttps://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/pioneer-heart-surgeon-vinay-badhwar-elected-sts-presidentVinay Badhwar, MD, executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, is the new president of the Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS). Mon, 09 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -05002026-02-09T14:25:49-05:00597781e7-7ee7-4334-81a2-819a766f8706https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/robotic-cardiac-surgery-building-momentum-thanks-ravr-other-breakthroughsRobotic aortic valve replacement (RAVR), a robotics-assisted alternative to transcatheter aortic valve replacement and surgery, are one of the biggest breakthroughs in robotic cardiac surgery. Cited research by Vinay Badhwar, MD, executive chair of the West Virginia University (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute and the next president of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, is a major reason for RAVR's rise. Badhwar developed a RAVR technique that is now being adopted by care teams in the United States and abroad. In addition, he and his colleagues at WVU now host an annual RAVR symposium focused on educating surgeons and cardiologists alike about the procedure. Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -05002026-02-02T13:20:39-05:0077816f4f-96f8-4984-b218-ace1424b96dchttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-innews-dr-vinay-badhwar-elected-president-ofsociety-of-thoracic-surgeonsThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) today elected Vinay Badhwar, MD, as its 62nd President during the organization's Annual Meeting in New Orleans. Dr. Badhwar, Executive Chair of the West Virginia University (WVU) Heart and Vascular Institute and Service Line and the Professor and Chairman of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at WVU, will guide the more than 8,000-member organization through a rapidly evolving health care landscape with a focus on technical excellence, data-driven science, and measurable impact for patients worldwide.Mon, 02 Feb 2026 00:00:00 -05002026-02-03T08:51:17-05:0000153f0f-0ac3-4b3d-8dd7-c87f09073e9ehttps://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/new-alternative-surgeons-cardiologists-gather-learn-more-about-robotic-aortic-valve-replacementSpecialists at West Virginia University (WVU) are once again hosting an international symposium focused on educating cardiac surgeons and cardiologists alike about robotic aortic valve replacement (RAVR). Mon, 17 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-11-17T14:16:22-05:000833d2b7-4c38-4b76-a63f-d802b92e1ee6https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=from-coal-country-tooperating-room-dr-baker-s-full-circle-journeysomempowerGrowing up in rural McDowell County, West Virginia, Nicholas Baker, MD, FACS, associate professor of thoracic surgery with the West Virginia University School of Medicine Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, saw few options for his future. Tue, 04 Nov 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-11-04T15:22:36-05:00e84e7e18-1c56-4da8-80a3-2a05113c0a53https://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/WVU-Medicine/Front-Page/wvu-heart-and-vascular-institute-named-elso-platinum-level-center-of-excellence/The WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has been designated a Platinum Level Center of Excellence by the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO). Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-10-07T10:51:23-04:00408b06d2-7ef1-4ed1-9401-ba26feaaf299https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/structural-heart-disease/tavr/cardiologists-heart-surgeons-sound-alarm-over-widespread-use-tavr-low-risk-patientsTranscatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is being used to treat a rising number of patients with severe aortic stenosis. However, according to a new commentary published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (JACC), this trend may have gone too far.[1] The authors fear that too many low-risk patients are undergoing TAVR when they should be considered for surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) instead.[1] Tue, 07 Oct 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-10-14T10:18:08-04:00d9cf9d0c-0b16-4859-a9a8-f49f2b5ed0aehttps://www.beckershospitalreview.com/cardiology/wvu-medicine-heart-vascular-institute-grew-from-225m-to-2b-by-ditching-rvus/In less than a decade, Morgantown, W. Va.-based WVU Medicine's Heart and Vascular Institute has grown from 25 providers to more than 200, expanding from a $225 million regional program to a $2 billion healthcare destination, delivering nearly 450,000 patient visits in 2024. Wed, 24 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-09-24T10:08:56-04:002f2238f2-def2-43cc-83b5-40941c608328https://www.wboy.com/news/health/wvu-medicine-holds-simulations-to-practice-life-saving-procedure/amp/WV STEPS and WVU Medicine staff underwent a special training session on Monday as nurses and physician assistants participated in an immersive training simulation to practice working with the life-saving treatment—Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).Tue, 16 Sep 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-09-16T11:54:05-04:00901f37db-5135-4689-9c43-5378086b2347https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2025/08/28/wvu-researchers-train-ai-to-diagnose-heart-failure-in-rural-patients-using-low-tech-electrocardiograms?utm_source=cision-news-release&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=general&utm_id=strat-comm&utm_content=gen386Concerned about the ability of artificial intelligence models trained on data from urban demographics to make the right medical diagnoses for rural populations, West Virginia Universitycomputer scientists have developed several AI models that can identify signs of heart failure in patients from Appalachia.Thu, 28 Aug 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-09-02T08:46:51-04:009acd9a53-a2b0-4df6-807a-94ede2d1d2f9https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=hsta-seniors-explore-robotic-surgery-with-wvu-alum-at-summer-institutesomeducateHigh school seniors participating in the Health Sciences & Technology Academy (HSTA) Summer Institute at West Virginia University had the opportunity to step into the world of robotic surgery with guidance from someone who once stood where they are now.Wed, 23 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-07-25T16:25:23-04:0078d42dfb-ff01-48c6-b29d-60fbe171c95chttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=school-of-medicine-announces-faculty-promotions-for-2025The West Virginia University School of Medicine recently awarded more than 60 faculty members across 20 departments promotions that were effective July 1, 2025. Department faculty members awarded associate professor and professor status are as follows:Tue, 22 Jul 2025 00:00:00 -04002025-07-22T09:24:48-04:0014cd4601-5559-46a1-8e84-82504536cad3https://www.huffpost.com/entry/doctor-health-advice-after-heart-attack_l_67b4f0ede4b08e2e24824612Whether you've had a heart attack or not, Dr. George Sokos, the chair of WVU Heart and Vascular Institute-Cardiology in West Virginia, said he encourages people to move their bodies, but an ideal fitness plan varies from person to person. For some, it may be taking a daily walk. For others, it may be a more strenuous, endurance-building exercise.Tue, 25 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-25T13:06:10-05:00768a7ba4-1c56-4dd1-b2ca-c952c9f99455https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=the-third-annual-heart-health-and-black-history-month-discussion-panel-will-take-place-wednesday-febThe third annual Heart Health and Black History Month discussion panel will take place Wednesday, Feb. 26, from 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. in the Mountainlair Gluck Theater.Fri, 14 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-20T18:30:30-05:00c87fa49f-36c8-435d-9136-a5ef285c9b83https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2025.01.013CABG plus surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of coronary disease and aortic stenosis was associated with better 5-year outcomes vs. PCI plus transcatheter aortic valve replacement in Medicare beneficiaries, a speaker reported.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:30:15-05:00e9758957-05d5-4c84-ab0f-a5cec1982be7https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/savrcabg-vs-tavrpci-severe-and-cad-medicareWhen heart patients present with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and coronary artery disease (CAD), should care teams consider cardiac surgery or a more interventional approach? Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:15:44-05:0071395f7c-0fd9-47d1-998c-cb553a985688https://www.healio.com/news/cardiology/20250130/cabg-plus-surgical-avr-may-suit-certain-older-patients-with-aortic-stenosis-cadCABG plus surgical aortic valve replacement for treatment of coronary disease and aortic stenosis was associated with better 5-year outcomes vs. PCI plus transcatheter aortic valve replacement in Medicare beneficiaries, a speaker reported.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:31:57-05:0072907bb9-2355-49e5-b39b-3f4ab44dc206https://www.healio.com/news/pulmonology/20250129/odds-for-poor-outcomes-high-with-endobronchial-valve-vs-lung-volume-reduction-surgeryMedicare beneficiaries with emphysema who received an endobronchial valve vs. lung volume reduction surgery faced elevated risk-adjusted odds for poor outcomes, according to data presented at the Society of Thoracic Surgeons Annual Meeting.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:26:21-05:0076f9b88c-a8ee-46c2-af66-7724a00e4f10https://cardiovascularbusiness.com/topics/clinical/cardiac-surgery/savr-mechanical-bioprosthetic-valves-surgeons-cardiologists?utm_source=related_content&utm_medium=related_content&utm_campaign=related_contentMechanical heart valves are associated with much better long-term outcomes than bioprosthetic heart valves when performing surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR) on a patient 60 years old or younger, according to new research presented at STS 2025, the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:09:20-05:003f8af027-3eb8-47ee-9276-1e8a5219cce3https://www.tctmd.com/news/surgery-outdoes-percutaneous-treatment-patients-cad-aortic-stenosisAmong patients needing both aortic valve replacement and coronary revascularization, surgery is associated with lower morbidity and mortality compared with percutaneous methods, according to Medicare data from 2018 to 2022.Thu, 13 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-13T11:06:11-05:007abf1d72-94d1-4bf9-a0b0-59b99e838fa5https://www.wvnews.com/wvumedicine/wvu-medicine-raises-awareness-for-heart-health-in-west-virginia-during-american-heart-month/article_5e747428-e483-11ef-b19b-bfcef108ebed.htmlFebruary is American Heart Month, and WVU Medicine officials hope to raise awareness of heart health in West Virginia, where cardiovascular disease is more prevalent than the national average.Thu, 06 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-06T10:17:06-05:0068f0e5fa-f793-4acc-9671-05b41d4dd8bahttps://www.healthday.com/healthpro-news/pulmonology/mortality-lower-with-lung-volume-reduction-surgery-in-emphysemaFor patients with advanced emphysema, endobronchial valve placement (EBV) is associated with higher mortality and morbidity compared with lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), according to a study presented at the annual meeting of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, held from Jan. 24 to 26 in Los Angeles.Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 -05002025-02-05T17:47:52-05:0037c1505e-ce8a-4915-90ad-63e49d5336echttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=sokos-appointed-chair-ofdepartment-of-cardiologysomempowerGeorge G. Sokos, D.O., FACC, has been named chair of the School of Medicine Department of Cardiology, a role he's served in an interim capacity since the department's formation in the fall of 2023.Tue, 03 Dec 2024 00:00:00 -05002025-02-20T11:39:36-05:004ac99ee9-1f15-49a5-b910-1d08023207a3https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=health-careers-program-offers-students-immersive-experience-at-wvuStudents participating in a West Virginia University Health Sciences postgraduate preparatory program recently had the opportunity to learn about health professions from world-class providers at WVU Medicine.Mon, 24 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-06-24T11:12:47-04:0089c2e531-c852-45f7-ac4c-6ade85b0de3ahttps://www.statejournal.com/special/page-001/page_26a469ce-b93e-50a8-8f78-8d602348c14b.htmlDr. Lisa Costello, Ashton Marra, Dr. J. Hunter Mehaffey, Christopher Ramezan and Dr. Melanie Ward are included on The State Journal's "Generation Next: 40 Under 40" list.Thu, 20 Jun 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-06-24T09:01:20-04:00d893814b-d46f-4ffc-bd19-860809caee3ahttps://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/?cat=WVU-Medicine&sec=Childrens-Hospital&headline=dr-christopher-mascio-to-serve-as-executive-chair-of-the-wvu-children-s-institutesompurposeThe West Virginia University (WVU) Health System and the WVU Health Sciences Center today (April 16) named Christopher E. Mascio, M.D., the executive chair of the newly formed WVU Children's Institute. Tue, 16 Apr 2024 00:00:00 -04002024-04-16T11:34:37-04:005a01f95f-2152-4f4d-bdbd-09b091729720https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=schaefer-and-hayanga-inducted-as-society-of-critical-care-medicine-fellowsThe Society of Critical Care Medicine inducted Gregory Schaefer, D.O., FACS, FCCM, and J. W. Awori Hayanga, M.D., MPH, FACS, FRCS, FCCP, FCCM as fellows in the American College of Critical Care Medicine on Monday, Jan. 22, 2024.Mon, 05 Feb 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-02-05T15:24:19-05:00daf34ffa-0b95-40b1-85ff-9a9378ba21f7https://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/WVU-Medicine/Front-Page/dr.-vinay-badhwar-named-to-leadership-position-of-program-funded-by-the-national-heart-lung-and-blood-institute/Vinay Badhwar, M.D., executive chair of the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute and Gordon F. Murray Professor and Chair of the WVU Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery, has been named vice chair for strategic development and scientific partnerships for the Cardiothoracic Surgical Trials Network (CTSN).  Wed, 03 Jan 2024 00:00:00 -05002024-01-05T10:48:26-05:004028241a-e0f2-47ae-a40f-c8a903edaeachttps://wvumedicine.org/news-feed/news-article/WVU-Medicine/Camden-Clark/Drs.-Nestor-Dans-and-Nathaniel-Kister-to-join-WVU-Heart-and-Vascular-Institute/Cardiothoracic surgeons Nestor Dans, M.D., and Nathaniel Kister, M.D., are joining the WVU Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. Dr. Dans will join the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at WVU Medicine Thomas Hospitals in South Charleston and WVU Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center in Parkersburg. Dr. Kister will join the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute at WVU Medicine J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital and Camden Clark Medical Center. Kister will begin caring for patients in Parkersburg starting in January and Dans in February. Wed, 27 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-27T09:35:49-05:00949541d5-cf2a-49d8-9267-70e290a6ef91https://www.wtap.com/2023/12/20/research-suggests-link-between-intravenous-drug-use-fatal-heart-valve-infections/Sudarshan Balla of the WVU School of Medicine contributes to reporting from WTAP-TV on heart valve infections.Wed, 20 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -05002024-01-03T09:02:39-05:00e498e815-be23-4b42-ad13-83d8ae4296c0https://apnews.com/press-release/newmediawire/medical-technology-medical-research-american-heart-association-a9713ac9a2bfbdf58e8daf3b60921622somdiscover( NewMediaWire ) - December 13, 2023 - DALLAS — Death rates related to infective endocarditis declined in most adults across the U.S. within the last two decades, yet accelerated among young adults ages 25 to 44 years old, according to new research published today in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an open access, peer-reviewed journal of the American Heart Association.Fri, 15 Dec 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-12-19T15:14:53-05:00ed011ff4-d1ac-4f2a-ad1c-6160287a0184https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-medicine-children-s-ecmo-team-receives-national-recognitionA multi-disciplinary team of West Virginia University School of Medicine faculty and WVU Medicine experts who coordinate the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for WVU Medicine Children's recently were awarded the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization's silver-level award.Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -04002023-10-31T10:02:03-04:001c333387-874a-44db-a19c-655eaf96412ehttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=sokos-named-interim-chair-ofnew-department-of-cardiologysompurposeGeorge G. Sokos, D.O., FACC, has been named interim chair of the School of Medicine's new Department of Cardiology. Ramesh Daggubati, MD, FACC, FSCAI, professor and chief of Interventional Cardiology, will serve as the department's vice chair.Tue, 31 Oct 2023 00:00:00 -04002024-05-28T10:53:20-04:0038ba7db5-5bec-4d8e-ac01-f1b80f8e1903https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=dr-dhaval-chauhan-to-join-wvu-medicine-children-s-heart-center_0sompurposeDhaval Chauhan, MD, pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon, will join the team at WVU Medicine Children's Heart Center and the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute on Jan. 30. He will also serve as an assistant professor in the WVU School of Medicine Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery.Thu, 05 Jan 2023 00:00:00 -05002023-01-26T09:03:47-05:002b5b33a3-28a8-4ce8-95b5-3a19c748bb43https://www.heart.org/en/news/2022/11/04/as-cardiac-arrest-deaths-fall-black-and-rural-communities-lagsomdiscoverIn a piece from the American Heart Association that was picked up by news outlets across the U.S., Dr. Muchi Ditah Chobufo details new research showing cardiac arrest deaths have dropped significantly nationally, but not in Black and rural communities.Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-11-14T10:26:57-05:00d7a34528-18e8-4f05-868b-20705c04926dhttps://www.potomacstatecollege.edu/news/2022/11/03/wvu-medicine-children-s-cardiac-operating-room-named-in-honor-of-dr-robert-gustafson-keyser-native-psc-alumnussompurposeRobert Gustafson, M.D., associate dean for Faculty Services and professor emeritus of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at the WVU School of Medicine, was recently honored with the naming of a WVU Medicine Children's Cardiac Operating Room in his behalf.Mon, 07 Nov 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-11-14T09:53:09-05:00eefe5861-4d59-4c6f-8ee4-4f3cc45676c8https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=medicine-grand-rounds-dr-bianco-to-give-presentation-on-advanced-heart-failureThis week's Department of Medicine grand rounds will include a presentation by Christopher Bianco, D.O., on advanced heart failure.Mon, 22 Aug 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-08-22T15:00:34-04:00ee5a3f22-88e1-427c-8c91-43b74106cef1https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=medicine-grand-rounds-dr-patel-to-give-presentation-on-cardiovascular-diseaseThis week's Department of Medicine grand rounds will feature a presentation from Brijesh Patel, D.O., F.A.C.C., on cardiovascular disease.Mon, 18 Jul 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-07-18T16:30:02-04:00deed23c0-7bfd-432d-8e00-4eb7fc00f483https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-school-of-medicine-welcomes-new-class-of-residents-and-fellowsA class of more than 200 new residents and fellows will soon begin their training at the West Virginia University School of Medicine through the Graduate Medical Education program located on the Morgantown, Harpers Ferry and Parkersburg campuses. The majority of the new physicians will begin their clinical training on July 1, building on the skills and foundation given to them as medical students.Thu, 23 Jun 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-06-30T14:23:42-04:00df97aae6-fd1c-44ba-9ced-f35e0833d20chttps://www.dominionpost.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Progress-Edition3-2022.pdfsomempowerContributions from WVU on a number of fronts are included in The Dominion Post's "Progress Edition" focused on health care. Interviewees include Albert Wright, Gay Stewart and Karyn Wallace along with Drs. Sally Hodder, Vinay Badhwar, Christopher Mascio, Jai Udassi and Hannah Hazard-Jenkins.Tue, 31 May 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-06-02T10:22:13-04:003a209276-c193-4666-a0dc-046bf5287610https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=medicine-grand-rounds-dr-jagadeesan-to-give-presentation-on-stable-ischemic-heart-diseaseThis week's Department of Medicine grand rounds will feature a presentation from Vikrant Jagadeesan, M.D., on stable ischemic heart disease.Mon, 14 Mar 2022 00:00:00 -04002022-03-14T12:09:11-04:00ae3a76d0-91bc-42ad-a4cb-da6ffa775141https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-heart-and-vascular-institute-named-gold-center-of-excellence-for-cardio-oncology-program_0knopfa@wvumedicine.orgThe Cardio-Oncology Program at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute has been named a Gold Center of Excellence – the highest possible designation – by the International Cardio-Oncology Society (IC-OS). Fri, 28 Jan 2022 00:00:00 -05002022-02-03T10:50:17-05:0009c7ec46-3029-4c75-bc3d-bfb302ffaaf4https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-heart-and-vascular-surgeon-is-lead-author-in-recommendations-on-treatment-of-covid-patientsheather.bonecutter@wvumedicine.orgThe WVU Heart and Vascular Institute's recommendations for the use of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in COVID patients were recently published in the Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. The Institute has seen the highest survival rate of ECMO patients with COVID in the nation and has had great success with the survival of pregnant patients.Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-12-01T10:59:14-05:0091f8e10c-8412-4334-98c5-acb336e899c5https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-medicine-thoracic-surgery-program-receives-top-scores-for-esophagectomy-procedureknopfa@wvumedicine.orgThe Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) has awarded WVU Medicine's Thoracic Surgery Program with three stars, the highest possible rating, for esophagectomy, the surgical removal of all or parts of the esophagus.Tue, 30 Nov 2021 00:00:00 -05002021-12-01T11:00:35-05:00430404ba-8879-4e3f-b658-b840b81f167chttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-medicine-surgeons-perform-state-s-first-liver-explant-for-tumor-resection-and-liver-autotransplaknopfa@wvumedicine.orgSurgeons at WVU Medicine performed the state's first liver explant for tumor resection and liver autotransplant – a very rare procedure that requires a multi-disciplinary team of heart and liver transplant surgeons to care for one patient. The procedure is only available at a small number of academic medical centers in the United States.Thu, 21 Oct 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-11-05T13:34:22-04:004b72a271-4741-469e-91dd-58512bd38188https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=wvu-heart-and-vascular-institute-cardiologists-perform-500th-watchman-procedure_0heather.bonecutter@wvumedicine.orgCardiologists at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, performed their 500th WATCHMAN Left Atrial Appendage Closure Implant procedure in July. This implant is a treatment for patients who have non-valvular atrial fibrillation.Fri, 20 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-08-23T09:47:01-04:0046f0e9c9-0cdc-466a-a278-6356904c1e8bhttps://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/news/story?headline=saving-limbs-saving-lives-wvu-heart-and-vascular-institute-researcher-receives-nih-grant-to-prevent-knopfa@wvumedicine.orgWith a grant from the National Institutes of Health, Samantha Minc, M.D., vascular surgeon and researcher at the WVU Heart and Vascular Institute, is launching a pilot program to prevent amputations in West Virginia. Given that West Virginians face a disproportionate number of risk factors for amputations, the program could save many lives.Mon, 02 Aug 2021 00:00:00 -04002021-08-04T16:20:40-04:00