Thirty-year experience with a bileaflet mechanical valve prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: The objective was to evaluate the long-term outcomes of the St Jude Medical (Saint Paul, Minn) mechanical valve prosthesis implantation. METHODS: Since 1979, every patient receiving this prosthesis has been followed annually. RESULTS: From January 1979 to December 2014, 1023 patients were accrued. Patients' ages ranged from 18 to 85 years. Aortic valve replacement was performed in 584 patients, and mitral valve replacement was performed in 439 patients. Follow-up was 95% complete. Operative mortality was 3% (17/584, aortic valve replacement) and 4% (18/439, mitral valve replacement). In patients undergoing aortic valve replacement, late actuarial survival was 62% ± 2%, 32% ± 2%, and 14% ± 3% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Thirty-year freedom from reoperation, thromboembolism, valve thrombosis, bleeding, and endocarditis was 92% ± 2%, 79% ± 3%, 96% ± 1%, 56% ± 5%, and 92% ± 2%, respectively. In patients undergoing mitral valve replacement, late actuarial survival was 64% ± 3%, 28% ± 3%, and 14% ± 3% at 10, 20, and 30 years, respectively. Thirty-year freedom from reoperation, thromboembolism, valve thrombosis, bleeding, and endocarditis was 85% ± 5%, 55% ± 6%, 99% ± 1%, 57% ± 6%, and 95% ± 2%, respectively. The incidence of bleeding was 2.5% and 2.0% per patient-year for aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement, respectively. The incidence of thromboembolism was 1.6% and 2.9% per patient-year for aortic valve replacement and mitral valve replacement, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Annual follow-up of all of our patients receiving a St Jude Medical mechanical valves prosthesis has allowed better identification valve-related issues and events. After 3 decades of observation with close follow-up, the St Jude Medical mechanical valve continues to be a reliable prosthesis.

Novel Technique of Surgical Management of Scimitar Syndrome.

Scimitar syndrome is a rare congenital abnormality resulting from right-sided pulmonary venous return to the inferior vena cava rather than to the left atrium. It is usually detected in early childhood with symptoms of recurrent chest infection and finding of pulmonary hypertension due to left to right shunt. We report a case of a 40-year-old woman with scimitar syndrome discovered on chest X-ray during evaluation of recurrent pneumonia. Surgical correction was achieved with a novel technique of using a synthetic graft connecting the scimitar vein across the right atrium to the left atrium along with ligation of the scimitar vein connection to the inferior vena cava. The patient continues to do well 10 years after surgery, and the shunt graft shows good flow on echocardiogram. We present her clinical and imaging data and details of the surgical technique along with a brief review of surgical literature.

Effect of preoperative use of propranolol on postoperative outcome in patients with tetralogy of Fallot.

The aim of this study was to determine if preoperative propranolol therapy has a deleterious effect on postoperative variables in patients with tetralogy of Fallot. Data from 97 patients who underwent complete repair of tetralogy of Fallot were reviewed. The patients were divided into 2 groups: those receiving preoperative propranolol therapy (n = 32) and those not receiving therapy (n = 65). Preoperative and intraoperative variables did not differ between groups. There were no differences in postoperative inotrope scores on arrival to the intensive care unit and through the first 12 hours postoperatively. There was a trend toward increased inotrope scores at 24 hours (median 8 vs 5, p = 0.05) and 48 hours (median 8 vs 3, p = 0.05) postoperatively in the patients treated with propranolol. Temporary pacing in the early postoperative period occurred more often in the propranolol group (16% vs 3%, p = 0.04). There was no difference between groups in length of mechanical ventilation, intensive care unit stay, or total hospital postoperative stay. In conclusion, propranolol therapy can be used in patients with tetralogy of Fallot until the time of surgery, without important effects on their postoperative courses. Any blunting of inotropic or chronotropic activity in propranolol-treated patients appears to be easily overcome with increased inotropic medications or temporary pacing, without increased morbidity or mortality.

Atrioventricular canal: single-patch technique.

Complete atrioventricular septal defects have been repaired at the Medical University of South Carolina for the past 25 years using the "single-patch technique" as first described by the Mayo Clinic group in 1968. In this technique, the single atrioventricular valve is separated into left (mitral) and right (tricuspid) components by dividing the superior and inferior bridging leaflets back to the annulus. A single patch of bovine pericardium is sutured to the right ventricular aspect of the ventricular septum, the previously divided valve leaflets are resuspended to the patch, the "cleft" in the left-sided valve is closed with interrupted sutures, and the atrial component of the defect closed by suturing the patch to the atrial septum with a continuous suture. Since 1995, there have been no operative deaths in the 88 consecutive infants undergoing this repair in our institution. Nine patients (10.2%) have required reoperation for severe mitral regurgitation. While the issue of operative mortality in patients undergoing single-patch repair of complete atrioventricular septal defect has largely been eliminated, residual or recurrent mitral regurgitation continues to be a problem.

Prevention of thrombosis and embolism in children and adolescents with mechanical valve prostheses: warfarin versus antiplatelet agents.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Postoperative thromboembolic complications associated with mechanical valve prosthesis implantation can be reduced with either antiplatelet agents or warfarin. Warfarin been shown to be more effective in adults, but the data are less clear in the pediatric population. METHODS: Seventy-two children and adolescents who survived mechanical valve implantation on the left side of the heart at the authors' institution were followed prospectively from August 1979 until December 2003. All patients underwent surgery before the age of 20 years, and follow up was included up to the age of 20 years. Initially, 53 patients received warfarin alone; mean follow up was 5.9 years, and total follow up 312 patient-years (pt-yr). Likewise, 19 patients received antiplatelet agents; mean follow up was 5.2 years, and total follow up 99 pt-yr. Results were examined using intent-to-treat analyses. RESULTS: Age, gender, race, valve size and position, mean time of follow up and crossover rates were not different between groups. No differences were detected in survival or freedom from thromboembolic and hemorrhagic events. Complications associated with warfarin use were substantially more severe than those associated with antiplatelet agents. CONCLUSION: The study results were inconclusive due to the small numbers of patient-years of follow up, but suggest that antiplatelet agents may be associated with less severe complications than warfarin. Moreover, warfarin and antiplatelet agents may be equally effective for clotting prophylaxis in children after valve replacement with St. Jude Medical prostheses.

Valve surgery in renal dialysis patients.

BACKGROUND AND AIM OF THE STUDY: Mechanical valves are used in dialysis patients due to the presumed rapid degeneration of tissue valves. The study aim was to compare the results of mechanical and tissue valves placed in renal dialysis patients. METHODS: Information obtained from a computer-based valve replacement database, telephone interviews and patient charts was reviewed for follow up data. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2004, 50 dialysis patients underwent left-sided valve replacement. Of these patients, 17 received 21 St. Jude Medical mechanical valves (12 aortic, nine mitral), and 33 received 39 tissue valves (19 aortic, 20 mitral). The mean follow up for the mechanical and tissue valve groups was 19.4 +/- 21.3 and 21.4 +/- 18.7 months, respectively. Mortality at four years was 65% (11/17) for the mechanical valve group, and 42% (14/33) for the tissue valve group (p = 0.15). Freedom from reoperation was not significantly different. The tissue valve group had significantly higher Kaplan-Meier freedom from thromboembolism (100% versus 75 +/- 15%, p = 0.01), hemorrhage (97 +/- 3% versus 44 +/- 17%, p = 0.002), valve-related morbidity (74 +/- 9% versus 42 +/- 16%, p = 0.043), and valve-related morbidity and mortality (69 +/- 9% versus 37 +/- 14%, p = 0.037) at three years. Linearized rates of hemorrhage (21 versus 2%/pt-yr; p = 0.005), valve-related morbidity (36 versus 12%/pt-yr; p = 0.02) and valve-related morbidity and mortality (50 versus 17%/pt-yr; p = 0.008) were all significantly higher in the mechanical valve group. CONCLUSION: Dialysis patients had poor survival; prosthetic valve degeneration was negligible. Incidences of thromboembolism, bleeding and valve-related morbidity and mortality were higher with mechanical valves. Linearized, as opposed to actuarial, analysis further accentuated the unacceptably high rates of complications and death with mechanical valves.

Efficacy of transthoracic cardioversion of atrial fibrillation using a biphasic, truncated exponential shock waveform at variable initial shock energies.

Biphasic shocks are more effective than damped sine wave monophasic shocks for transthoracic cardioversion (CV) of atrial fibrillation (AF), but the optimal protocol for CV with biphasic shocks has not been defined. We conducted a prospective, randomized study of 120 consecutive patients with persistent AF to delineate the dose-response curve for CV of AF with a biphasic truncated exponential shock waveform and to identify clinical predictors of shock efficacy. Our data suggest that the initial shock energy for CV with this waveform should be 200 J if the patient weighs <90 kg and 360 J if the patient weighs >/=90 kg.

Twenty-year experience with the St Jude Medical mechanical valve prosthesis.

BACKGROUND: We have prospectively followed all adult St Jude Medical mechanical valve recipients at the Medical University of South Carolina since the initial implant in January 1979 and now present our 20-year experience. METHODS: We prospectively followed 837 valve recipients (aortic valve replacement; n = 478; mitral valve replacement; n = 359) from January 1979 to December 2000 at 12-month intervals. RESULTS: Ages ranged from 19 to 84 years. Follow-up averaged (mean +/- standard deviation) 7 +/- 5 years (98% complete). Patients were in New York Heart Association class III or IV in 77% (aortic valve replacement) and 89% (mitral valve replacement) preoperatively. A 19-mm valve was implanted in 15.5% of aortic valve replacement patients. Coronary bypass was required in 31% of aortic valve replacements and 20% of mitral valve replacements. Operative mortality was 17/478 (3.6%) in aortic valve replacement and 19/359 (5.3%) in mitral valve replacement, and multivariable predictors were 19-mm valve size, 3 or more coronary bypass grafts, and New York Heart Association class IV for aortic valve replacement and New York Heart Association class IV and age for mitral valve replacement. Actuarial survivorship at 10 and 20 years was 57% +/- 3% and 26% +/- 5% for aortic valve replacement and 61% +/- 3% and 39% +/- 4% for mitral valve replacement. Multivariable predictors of late death were African-American ethnicity, New York Heart Association class III or IV, coronary bypass, and age for aortic valve replacement and New York Heart Association class III or IV, coronary bypass, and age for mitral valve replacement. For aortic valve replacement, effective orifice area was univariately (P =.002) but not multivariately (P =.378) predictive of late death. Structural valve deterioration was not observed. For aortic valve replacement, actuarial freedom (at 10 and 20 years) from reoperation was 93% +/- 1% and 90% +/- 2%; thromboembolism, 82% +/- 3% and 68% +/- 8%; bleeding events, 77% +/- 3% and 66% +/- 6%; prosthetic valve endocarditis, 94% +/- 1% and 94% +/- 1%; valve-related mortality, 94% +/- 2% and 86% +/- 4%; and valve-related mortality or morbidity, 58% +/- 3% and 32% +/- 8%. For mitral valve replacement, actuarial freedom (at 10 and 20 years) from reoperation was 96% +/- 1% and 90% +/- 3%; thromboembolism, 77% +/- 3% and 59% +/- 7%; bleeding events, 86% +/- 2% and 65% +/- 8%; prosthetic valve endocarditis, 98% +/- 1% and 96% +/- 2%; valve-related mortality, 89% +/- 0.2% and 74% +/- 8%; and valve-related mortality or morbidity, 63% +/- 3% and 29% +/- 7%. CONCLUSIONS: After 2 decades of observation with close follow-up, the St Jude Medical mechanical valve continues to be a reliable prosthesis.

Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition modifies left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction in pigs.

BACKGROUND: Global and regional shape changes that occur within the left ventricular wall after myocardial infarction have been termed infarct expansion. A potential mechanism for this postinfarction remodeling is activation of the matrix metalloproteinases. Accordingly, the present study examined the effects of matrix metalloproteinase inhibition on left ventricular global geometry after myocardial infarction in pigs. METHODS: Myocardial infarction was created in pigs by means of occlusion of the first and second obtuse marginal branches of the circumflex coronary artery, resulting in a uniform left ventricular free wall infarct size of 21% +/- 2%. At 5 days after infarction, the pigs were randomized to undergo broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition (n = 9; PD166793, 20 mg. kg(-1). d(-1) by mouth) or myocardial infarction alone (n = 8). Ten pigs served as noninfarction control animals. Left ventricular end-diastolic area, determined by means of echocardiography, was measured 8 weeks after infarction. RESULTS: Left ventricular end-diastolic area increased in both the myocardial infarction plus broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and myocardial infarction only groups compared to reference control animals (3.7 +/- 0.2 cm(2)), but was reduced with broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition compared to myocardial infarction alone (4.5 +/- 0.2 vs 4.9 +/- 0.2 cm(2), respectively; P <.05). Regional radial stress within the infarct region increased in both infarction groups when compared to values obtained from reference control animals (599 +/- 152 g/cm(2)), but was attenuated in the myocardial infarction plus broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition group compared to the myocardial infarction alone group (663 +/- 108 vs 1242 +/- 251 g/cm(2), respectively; P <.05). Similarly, regional myocardial stiffness increased in both the myocardial infarction plus broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition and the myocardial infarction only groups compared with that observed in reference control animals (14 +/- 1 rkm, P <.05) but was lower with broad-spectrum matrix metalloproteinase inhibition than with myocardial infarction alone (42 +/- 6 vs 68 +/- 10 rkm, respectively; P <.05). CONCLUSIONS: Matrix metalloproteinase inhibition reduced postinfarction left ventricular dilation, reduced regional myocardial wall stress, and modified myocardial material properties. These unique findings suggest that increased myocardial matrix metalloproteinase activation after infarction contributes directly to the left ventricular remodeling process.

Pharmacologic inhibition of intracellular caspases after myocardial infarction attenuates left ventricular remodeling: a potentially novel pathway.

OBJECTIVE: Myocyte death occurs by necrosis and caspase-mediated apoptosis in the setting of myocardial infarction. In vitro studies suggest that caspase activation within myocytes causes contractile protein degradation without inducing cell death. Thus, caspase activation may evoke left ventricular remodeling through 2 independent processes post-myocardial infarction. However, the effects of caspase activation on left ventricular geometry post-myocardial infarction remain unclear. This project applied broad-spectrum caspase inhibition to a chronic porcine model of myocardial infarction. METHODS: Coronary snares and sonomicrometry crystals in remote and area-at-risk regions were placed in pigs (n = 22, 34 kg). Geometric measurements at end diastole and end systole, including left ventricular area by echocardiography and interregional distance by sonomicrometry, were obtained at baseline. Coronary occlusion was instituted for 60 minutes, followed by reperfusion and repeated geometric measurements at 7 days, including left ventriculography. At reperfusion, pigs were randomized to saline (n = 12) or caspase inhibition (n = 10, IDN6734, 2 mg/kg intravenously, then 2 mg x kg x h for 24 hours) at a dose that achieved desired plasma concentrations (790 +/- 142 ng/mL) as predicted by prior pharmacokinetic studies. RESULTS: Infarct size and 24-hour troponin-I values were not significantly different between the saline and caspase inhibition groups (51% +/- 8% vs 42% +/- 6% and 189 +/- 20 ng/mL vs 152 +/- 26 ng/mL, respectively, P >.10). At 7 days, end-diastole volume was increased in both groups compared with reference control values (47 +/- 1 mL, P <.05), but it was decreased with caspase inhibition (72 +/- 4 mL) compared with saline (84 +/- 4 mL, P <.05). Similarly, end-diastole and end-systole areas increased by 32% +/- 3% and 81% +/- 16% in the saline group but were attenuated with caspase inhibition (19% +/- 3% and 31% +/- 10%, respectively, P <.05). End-diastole interregional distance increased by 30% +/- 7% in the saline group but was attenuated with caspase inhibition (12% +/- 5%, P <.05). CONCLUSION: Despite equivalent degrees of myocardial injury, caspase inhibition reduced post-myocardial infarction left ventricular remodeling as evidenced by multiple, independent assessments of left ventricular dilation. Thus, caspase activation alters left ventricular geometry in the absence of significant effects on myocardial injury.

Modulation of calcium transport improves myocardial contractility and enzyme profiles after prolonged ischemia-reperfusion.

BACKGROUND: Ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury causes myocardial dysfunction in part through intracellular calcium overload. A recently described pharmacologic compound, MCC-135 (5-methyl-2-[1-piperazinyl] benzenesulfonic acid monohydrate, Mitsubishi Pharma Corporation), alters intracellular calcium levels. This project tested the hypothesis that MCC-135 would influence regional myocardial contractility when administered at reperfusion and after a prolonged period of ischemia. METHODS: A circumflex snare and sonomicrometry crystals within remote and area-at-risk regions were placed in pigs (n = 18, 32 kg). Coronary occlusion was instituted for 120 minutes followed by 180 minutes of reperfusion. At 105 minutes of ischemia pigs were randomly assigned to IR only (n = 11) or MCC-135 (IR-MCC [300 microg. kg(-1). h(-1), n = 7]) administered intravenously. Regional myocardial contractility was determined by calculation of the regional end-systolic pressure-dimension relation (RESPDR [mm Hg/cm]). Myocardial injury was determined by measurement of plasma levels of myocyte-specific enzymes. RESULTS: At 90 minutes ischemia, mean troponin-I was 35 +/- 8 ng/mL with no significant difference between groups. At 180 minutes reperfusion, heart rate was increased by 18% +/- 5% in the IR only group (p < 0.05) and was reduced by 11% +/- 4% with IR-MCC (p < 0.05). At 90 minutes ischemia RESPDR was reduced from baseline by 51% +/- 6% (p < 0.05). By 30 minutes reperfusion, reductions in RESPDR were attenuated with IR-MCC compared with IR only values. The CK-MB levels were increased at 180 minutes reperfusion in the IR only group (52 +/- 9 ng/mL) compared with baseline (6 +/- 1 ng/mL, p < 0.05) but were attenuated with IR-MCC (24 +/- 4 ng/mL, p < 0.05) compared with IR only values. CONCLUSIONS: Despite similar degrees of injury at 90 minutes ischemia MCC-135 improved regional contractility and reduced the egress of CK-MB. Moreover MCC-135 was associated with decreased heart rate, a determinant of myocardial oxygen demand. Pharmacologic modulation of calcium transport ameliorates myocardial dysfunction in the acute IR period.

Cardiorenal effects of adenosine subtype 1 (A1) receptor inhibition in an experimental model of heart failure.

BACKGROUND: Elaboration of a number of bioactive substances, including adenosine, occurs in heart failure (HF). Adenosine, through the adenosine subtype 1 (A1) receptor, can reduce renal perfusion pressure and glomerular filtration rate and increase tubular sodium reabsorption, which can affect natriuresis and aquaresis. Accordingly, the present study examined the acute effects of selective A1 receptor blockade on hemodynamics and renal function in a model of HF. STUDY DESIGN: HF was induced in adult pigs (n = 19) by chronic pacing (240 beats/min for 3 weeks). The pigs were then instrumented for hemodynamic and renal function measurements. After baseline measurements were taken, pigs received either A1 block [ 1 mg/kg BG9719 (1,3-dipropyl-8-[2(5,6-epoxynorbornyl)]xanthine; n = 9)] or infusion of vehicle (n = 10), and measurements were repeated at intervals for up to 2 hours. Normal controls (n = 7) were included for comparison. RESULTS: Cardiac output remained unchanged between the A1 block and vehicle groups throughout the study. Pulmonary vascular resistance fell 38% from baseline at 10 minutes post-A1 block in the HF group (p < 0.05) with no change in the vehicle group. At 10 minutes post-A1 block, urine flow increased sixfold and sodium excretion increased over 10-fold (for both, p < 0.05) with no change in the vehicle group. At 10 minutes post-A1 block, creatinine clearance increased with no change in the vehicle group. At 10 minutes post-A1 block, plasma renin activity had increased over threefold (p <0.05), and it returned to baseline levels by 30 minutes post-A1 block. CONCLUSIONS: The unique findings from this study were threefold. First, increased A1 receptor activation contributes to renal mediated fluid retention in HF. Second, selective A1 blockade can induce diuresis without hemodynamic compromise and with possible benefit to pulmonary resistance in a model of HF. A1 blockade transiently increased plasma renin activity with no change in hemodynamics. These unique results suggest that selective A1 blockade can be a useful adjunctive diuretic in the setting of HF.

Integrated surgical residency initiative: implications for cardiothoracic surgery.

The history, conceptualization, and implementation of the integrated six year cardiothoracic residency paradigm is discussed. Emphasis is placed of critcal logistical points, as well as the challenges associated with obtaining operative case requirements. Strategies for providing and monitoring didactic and technical skills education are presented.

Carolyn Elaine Reed, MD March 4, 1950-November 16, 2012.

Carolyn Reed, 48th President of The Society of Thoracic Surgeons, was an accomplished surgeon, an outstanding educator, a dedicated investigator, a role model for both women and men in surgery, and a national leader in our specialty of cardiothoracic surgery. She filled all of these roles extremely well, but most important to her was her role as a physician who truly cared about her patients, friends, and colleagues as was apparent in her 2007 Southern Thoracic Surgical Association Presidential Address, "Patient Versus Customer, Technology Versus Touch: Where Has Humanism Gone?"

The Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education coronary artery assessment tool has high interrater reliability.

BACKGROUND: Barriers to incorporation of simulation in cardiothoracic surgery training include lack of standardized, validated objective assessment tools. Our aim was to measure interrater reliability and internal consistency reliability of a coronary anastomosis assessment tool created by the Joint Council on Thoracic Surgery Education. METHODS: Ten attending surgeons from different cardiothoracic residency programs evaluated nine video recordings of 5 individuals (1 medical student, 1 resident, 1 fellow, 2 attendings) performing coronary anastomoses on two simulation models, including synthetic graft task station (low fidelity) and porcine explant (high fidelity), as well as in the operative setting. All raters, blinded to operator identity, scored 13 assessment items on a 1 to 5 (low to high) scale. Each performance also received an overall pass/fail determination. Interrater reliability and internal consistency were assessed as intraclass correlation coefficients and Cronbach's α, respectively. RESULTS: Both interrater reliability and internal consistency were high for all three models (intraclass correlation coefficients = 0.98, 0.99, and 0.94, and Cronbach's α = 0.99, 0.98, and 0.97 for low fidelity, high fidelity, and operative setting, respectively). Interrater reliability for overall pass/fail determination using κ were 0.54, 0.86, 0.15 for low fidelity, high fidelity, and operative setting, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Even without instruction on the assessment tool, experienced surgeons achieved high interrater reliability. Future resident training and evaluation may benefit from utilization of this tool for formative feedback in the simulated and operative environments. However, summative assessment in the operative setting will require further standardization and anchoring.

Evaluation of simulation training in cardiothoracic surgery: the Senior Tour perspective.

OBJECTIVE: The study objective was to introduce senior surgeons, referred to as members of the "Senior Tour," to simulation-based learning and evaluate ongoing simulation efforts in cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS: Thirteen senior cardiothoracic surgeons participated in a 2½-day Senior Tour Meeting. Of 12 simulators, each participant focused on 6 cardiac (small vessel anastomosis, aortic cannulation, cardiopulmonary bypass, aortic valve replacement, mitral valve repair, and aortic root replacement) or 6 thoracic surgical simulators (hilar dissection, esophageal anastomosis, rigid bronchoscopy, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy, tracheal resection, and sleeve resection). The participants provided critical feedback regarding the realism and utility of the simulators, which served as the basis for a composite assessment of the simulators. RESULTS: All participants acknowledged that simulation may not provide a wholly immersive experience. For small vessel anastomosis, the portable chest model is less realistic compared with the porcine model, but is valuable in teaching anastomosis mechanics. The aortic cannulation model allows multiple cannulations and can serve as a thoracic aortic surgery model. The cardiopulmonary bypass simulator provides crisis management experience. The porcine aortic valve replacement, mitral valve annuloplasty, and aortic root models are realistic and permit standardized training. The hilar dissection model is subject to variability of porcine anatomy and fragility of the vascular structures. The realistic esophageal anastomosis simulator presents various approaches to esophageal anastomosis. The exercise associated with the rigid bronchoscopy model is brief, and adding additional procedures should be considered. The tracheal resection, sleeve resection, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery lobectomy models are highly realistic and simulate advanced maneuvers. CONCLUSIONS: By providing the necessary tools, such as task trainers and assessment instruments, the Senior Tour may be one means to enhance simulation-based learning in cardiothoracic surgery. The Senior Tour members can provide regular programmatic evaluation and critical analyses to ensure that proposed simulators are of educational value.