virginia litle

stop smoking. save lives. thoracic surgeon and investigator. esophagologist. surgical oncologist, educator, mentor and sponsor

[EACTS @EACTS]

The European Registry for Patients with Mechanical Circulatory Support (EUROMACS) Data Dictionaries provide a clear, standardised overview of the variables collected within the EUROMACS registry, supporting consistent and meaningful data entry across centres.

Developed as part of the EACTS Quality Improvement Programme (QUIP), the two documents are designed to guide users through the full data collection pathway:

📘 Baseline Data Dictionary
Outlines the first set of data collected at patient entry, forming the foundation required for follow-up reporting.

📗 Follow-up Database Dictionary
Covers event-based and routine follow-up data, including classifications for major adverse events such as device malfunction, bleeding, infection and neurological dysfunction.

Together, these resources support scientific research and continuous improvement in mechanical circulatory support care.

Access the EUROMACS Data Dictionaries 🔗 https://t.co/GqC2xNsL9k

[EACTS @EACTS]

Share your case at the upcoming Fundamentals in Coronary Artery Disease course!

Taking place in Windsor, UK from 4-6 March 2026, this Fundamentals course gives in-person participants the chance to submit a 5-minute clinical case or surgical video to present during the course.

This is a valuable opportunity to:

➡️ Discuss real-world cases with faculty and peers
➡️ Take part in interactive, case-based learning
➡️ Receive feedback in a supportive educational setting

🗓️ Case submission deadline: 13 February 2026

Submit your case and register now 🔗 https://t.co/UiTqXEcqYO

[virginia litle @vlitlemd]

Share w young children and inspire them! @WomenInThoracic #sts2026

[The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) @ThoracicSurgFnd]

✨MEET THE AUTHOR✨Joseph A. Dearani, MD at 9:15-10am Central at the TSF Booth in STS Central. #sts2026

[The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) @ThoracicSurgFnd]

Happening at 9:30 am Central - WINNING RESEARCH: Presentations by TSF Research Awardees at
📍The HUB #sts2026

[Shanda Blackmon, MD, MPH @ShandaBlackmon]

Dr. Carolyn Jones was introduced by Dr. Daniela Molena with a standing ovation celebrating mentorship, friendship and patient care… The Nina Braunwald EWCTS award #STS2026 @WomenInThoracic

[The Society of Thoracic Surgeons @STS_CTsurgery]

Congratulations to the 2026 Nina Starr Braunwald Extraordinary Women in Cardiothoracic Award recipients! We’re honored to recognize Drs. @EA_FarkasMD, Rosemary Kelly, and Carolyn Jones. #STS2026 #CTSurgery #WomeninThoracic

[Mayo Clinic Cardiac Surgery @MayoClinicCVS]

Congratulations to @SSaddoughi on receiving the Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) Research Award for her outstanding project, Human macrophage-derived extracellular vesicles as immunomodulators of lung ischemia–reperfusion injury! #STS2026

[Shanda Blackmon, MD, MPH @ShandaBlackmon]

One of the most important things we need to be looking at is cost, but effectiveness matters too. #EBV endobronchial valves need to be held to the same standard as surgery. #LVRS #STS2026 @AworiHayanga looking forward to ongoing discussions here in New Orleans!

[virginia litle @vlitlemd]

Calling all general thoracic surgeons to engage in EACTS! @WomenInThoracic @thoracic @sts #STS2026

[EACTS @EACTS]

🎙️ A Cut Above podcast — The new episode is live now!

In this episode, our hosts explore how robotics is reshaping everyday thoracic surgery, from decision-making in the operating room to patient outcomes and surgical precision.

Joined by Virginia Litle, host of the Thoracic Surgery Clinics Podcast, and Vasileios Kouritas, the discussion looks at when robotic approaches add clear value, when other techniques remain essential, and how experience influences safety and confidence.

Topics include complex resections, intraoperative risk, team dynamics, surgeon ergonomics, and why robotics has evolved from novelty to necessity in modern thoracic surgery.

🎧 Listen now: https://t.co/qOjNXhhSGc

[EACTS @EACTS]

📣 EJCTS Volume 67, Issue 12 is out now!

🌟 Editor’s Choice 🌟

💬 'National Wealth and the Global Spread of Minimally Invasive Thoracic Surgery: Insights from the European Society of Thoracic Surgeons Database’

🔗 https://t.co/ouqWr1pDB8

[Shanda Blackmon, MD, MPH @ShandaBlackmon]

“We are not too much” Congrats to Rose Kelly for being honored with the Nina Braunwald Extraordinary Woman in CT Surgery Award. #STS2026 @WomenInThoracic

[The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) @ThoracicSurgFnd]

Join us ✨TONIGHT✨ for the TSF VIP & Awards Reception beginning at 7:15 pm Central! #sts2026

[The Society of Thoracic Surgeons @STS_CTsurgery]

Attendees were energized this morning by @sholarichards who shared the spirit of UBUNTU; “I am because we are.” He taught us how CT teams can build a culture of kindness and trust. #STS2026 #CTSurgery

[The American Foregut Society @ForegutSociety]

One of the most-read AFS Journal articles from 2025 was: "GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Use Is Associated with Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and Intestinal Methanogen Overgrowth" by John A. Damianos, Thomas W. Fredrick & Xiao Jing Wang.

Read the article: https://t.co/gWbHqfDguY

[The American Foregut Society @ForegutSociety]

Elevate your impact in the foregut space by becoming a member of the American Foregut Society (AFS). Build connections with your fellow foregut specialists and join a community dedicated to collaboration and growth.

Join the AFS today: https://t.co/xH9Fw6CATZ

#AFS #foregut

[virginia litle @vlitlemd]

Giving Tuesday! Support TSF and funding humanitarian efforts, cardiothoracic research and advanced education of ct surgeons @STS_CTsurgery @ests_womenThor @WomenInThoracic

[The Thoracic Surgery Foundation (TSF) @ThoracicSurgFnd]

Tomorrow is #GivingTuesday! Your gift to TSF powers research and innovation that will shape the future of cardiothoracic surgery. Will you lead the way?
the specialty.
🤳Support research like Dr. Velotta’s by donating today: https://t.co/F7BcMF9hqL

[EACTS @EACTS]

👏 Congratulations to Stijn Vanstraelen, selected by the Editors-in-Chief as 2024 Reviewer of the Year for EJCTS!

Stijn has been recognised for his dedication to excellence in peer review, underlining the importance of maintaining high standards in scientific publishing and the vital role reviewers play in supporting our journals and community.

He also encourages fellow members to contribute as reviewers — a rewarding path that strengthens our field and shapes the future of cardiothoracic surgery research.

🌍 In 2024, EJCTS received over 2,157 submissions from 77 countries worldwide. We extend our gratitude to all our reviewers for their expertise and commitment in helping us maintain the highest standards in publishing.

Discover more about EACTS publications 🔗 https://t.co/1vPlQ3748N

[The American Foregut Society @ForegutSociety]

Become a member of the AFS and receive access to educational resources and a community that is working towards the growth of the industry.

Learn more about our membership benefits and join today!
👉 https://t.co/xyfIvwXhia

#AFS #foregut #foregutcare

[Nicholas Hornstein @GIMedOnc]

Holy smokes, MATTERHORN hits OS! 🏔️🔥

We’ve been waiting for this one. After FLOT became standard for resectable gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma, everyone wondered if adding immunotherapy could move the bar. Earlier this year, MATTERHORN showed a big EFS win for DFLOT, along with higher pCR and MPR rates, but the question was, would OS follow (and yes, maybe I was doubting this)?

Now we have the answer:
🧬 OS HR 0.78 (95% CI 0.63–0.96, p=0.021) A clean, statistically significant win.

💪 Benefit seen across PD-L1 subgroups (TAP <1% HR 0.79; TAP ≥1% HR 0.79).

🧫 More nodal downstaging: ypN– 58% vs 45%, OR 1.72 (1.30–2.27).

⏱️ EFS improved in those with pCR (HR 0.29) and MPR (HR 0.32).

Takeaway:
Perioperative chemoimmunotherapy is here for gastric and GEJ adenocarcinoma. MATTERHORN delivers the OS confirmation we needed and cements DFLOT as standard of care (we can argue about PD1 +/- later).
@OncoAlert @GutOncLab #ESMO25 🧬💥

[EACTS @EACTS]

Join EACTS for the remaining in-person courses of 2025.

Some courses are already sold out, so don’t miss your chance to take part in these expert-led programmes covering all domains of cardiothoracic surgery. Enhance your skills through interactive lectures, hands-on training and practical insights, guided by leading specialists from across Europe.

Among the remaining courses is the EACTS/Intuitive Discovery Course, available exclusively to EACTS members at no cost, offering a unique opportunity to gain insight into robotic-assisted thoracic surgery.

🔐 Secure your place today: https://t.co/0sN1bbCFRU