Redefining global cardiac surgery through an intersectionality lens.

Although cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, six billion people lack access to safe, timely and affordable cardiac surgical care when needed. The burden of cardiovascular disease and disparities in access to care vary widely based on sociodemographic characteristics, including but not limited to geography, sex, gender, race, ethnicity, indigeneity, socioeconomic status and age. To date, the majority of cardiovascular, global health and global surgical research has lacked intersectionality lenses and methodologies to better understand access to care at the intersection of multiple identities and traditions. As such, global (cardiac) surgical definitions and health system interventions have been rooted in reductionism, focusing, at most, on singular sociodemographic characteristics. In this article, we evaluate barriers in global access to cardiac surgery based on existing intersectionality themes and literature. We further examine intersectionality methodologies to study access to cardiovascular care and cardiac surgery and seek to redefine the definition of 'global cardiac surgery' through an intersectionality lens.

The unbroken chain of female genital mutilation: a qualitative assessment of high school girls' perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) is defined as any procedure that involves damage to the female external genitalia. This practice is majorly prevalent in Sudan, as it is estimated that over 12 million Sudanese women are circumcised. This study uncovers rural females' knowledge and insights about FGM domestically. METHODS: A qualitative, deductive study with thematic analysis was conducted. A total of 42 female high school students were recruited and divided into five focus groups, each of which included girls from four different high school classes in the main school of the study area. A topic guide was prepared and used to lead the focus groups. Thematic analysis was used, and the study data had been categorized into four themes: knowledge, procedure and performance, experience, and practice. The condensed meaning units of each theme were identified, then classified to formulate sub-themes. RESULTS: All the participants indicated that FGM is a traditional practice in the village. The vast majority have heard about it from family members, mainly mothers and grandmothers. Regarding the procedure, all the participants agreed that midwives perform FGM, but most of them don't know what exactly is being removed. According to all participants, mothers and grandmothers are the decision-makers for FGM. The majority of the participants stated that they do not discriminate between the circumcised and uncircumcised women and most of them agreed that circumcision has negative side effects. They have mentioned pain, difficult urination, and walking as early side effects, while psychological impacts and labor obstruction as late ones. Generally, the majority of the participants agreed that circumcision is not beneficial and should stop. CONCLUSION: Knowledge regarding the dangers of FGM among high school girls is better than expected given the high prevalence of the practice. Generally, the process is well understood, the performers are known, the experience is universal, and the side effects are acknowledged. Nevertheless, a majority still showed an intent to circumcise their daughters in the future.

The Use of the Ascyrus Medical Dissection Stent in Acute Type A Aortic Dissection Repair Reduces Distal Anastomotic New Entry Tear.

BACKGROUND: A distal anastomotic new entry tear (DANE) can occur at the time of surgical repair for acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD). This study aimed to compare the occurrence of DANE following a standard hemiarch repair with that following a hemiarch repair with an uncovered arch dissection stent. METHODS: All patients who received a hemiarch repair or a hemiarch repair with an Ascyrus Medical Dissection Stent (AMDS) for ATAAD from 2017 to 2021 were included. Baseline and intra- and postoperative characteristics were collected. All available pre- and postoperative computed tomographic scans were analysed. The primary outcome measures were the incidence of DANE, positive aortic remodelling, mortality, and aortic reintervention rates at last follow-up. RESULTS: A total of 114 patients underwent repair of Debakey I ATAAD during the study period with either an isolated hemiarch (n = 77) or a hemiarch with AMDS (n = 37). There was no significant difference in mortality (P = 0.768) or other in-hospital adverse events. During the follow-up period, DANE occurred in 43.3% (n = 26) of the isolated hemiarch group and in 11.8% (n = 4) of the hemiarch with AMDS group (P = 0.002). The incidence of false lumen thrombosis and obliteration favoured the AMDS group in the aortic arch (P = 0.029), the proximal descending thoracic aorta (P = 0.031), and level of pulmonary artery bifurcation (P = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of DANE is significantly reduced with the addition of an AMDS at the time of hemiarch repair for ATAAD repair. Further follow-up is necessary to identify late aortic complications that may have been prevented by reducing the incidence of postoperative DANE.

Race and Ethnicity in Cardiac Surgery: A Missed Opportunity?

BACKGROUND: Patients' race and/or ethnicity are increasingly being associated with differential surgical access and outcomes in cardiac surgery. However, deriving evidence-based conclusions that can inform surgical care has been difficult because of poor diversity in study populations and conflicting research methodology and findings. Using a fictional patient example, this review identifies areas of concern in research engagement, methodology, and analyses, as well as potential steps to improve race and ethnicity considerations in cardiac surgical research. METHODS: A narrative literature review was performed using the PubMed/MEDLINE and Google Scholar databases, with a combination of cardiac surgery, race, ethnicity, and disparities keywords. RESULTS: Less than half of the published cardiac surgery randomized control trials report the race and/or ethnicity of research participants. Racial and/or ethnic minorities make up <20% of most study populations and are significantly underrepresented relative to their proportions of the general population. Further, race and/or ethnicity of research participants is variably categorized based on ancestry, geographic regions, cultural similarities, or minority status. There is growing consideration of analyzing interrelated and confounding variables, such as socioeconomic status, geographic location, or hospital quality, to better elucidate racial and/or ethnic disparities; however, intersectionality considerations remain limited in cardiac surgery research. CONCLUSIONS: Racial and/or ethnic disparities are increasingly being reported in research engagement, cardiac pathologies, and surgical outcomes. To promote equitable surgical care, tangible efforts are needed to recruit racially and/or ethnically minoritized patients to research studies, be transparent and consistent in their groupings, and elucidate the impact of their intersectional social identities.

2023 Update on equity, diversity, and inclusion in Canadian cardiac surgery.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Despite efforts to diversify the medical field, cardiac surgery remains amongst the least diverse specialties. Specifically, the percentage of women and racial minorities has remained low in past few decades. This may impact prospective trainee recruitment and surgical care. This paper highlights recent efforts that aim to promote diversity and inclusion of the Canadian cardiac surgical workforce. RECENT FINDINGS: Formal programs have been established to support students at different stages of training. In 2022, the Canadian Society for Cardiac Surgery has released an equity, diversity, and inclusion statement to summarize the current state and the strategic goals to accomplish a more just working environment. At the local level, the University of Toronto Next Surgeon high school pilot program, provided low-income, women, and racial minority students mentorship and experiential exposure to our field. Also, the University of Toronto, scholarships funded summer research with cardiac surgeons for women, as well as Black and Indigenous medical students. SUMMARY: Tangible efforts that target high school, undergraduate, and medical students are underway to promote equity and diversity of cardiac surgeons in Canada. Future studies that evaluate the gaps and identify bottlenecks could better guide interventions at institutions across the country.

Knowledge, attitude, and ethical concepts of Sudanese medical students regarding stem cells and its application.

One of the major challenges that stem cell transplantation faces is a lack of donors due to a lack of knowledge and awareness of the importance of stem cell transplantation, this implies that health care providers should arm themselves with sufficient knowledge to contribute positively to raising awareness. This is an analytical cross-sectional study of 1040 medical students from 10 universities from various Sudanese states, through an online self-administered pre-tested and structured questionnaire formulated by the authors with a particular focus and/or reflection on the knowledge and attitudes of medical students. The median knowledge score among all students was 8.0 (6-9) with the majority of students confirming that stem cells are capable of dividing and can self-renew for a long period (88.6%). Regarding attitude, the median score among the participants was 23 (17-27) with (47.9%) agreeing that competency in stem cell knowledge is important for them as future health care providers. In terms of ethical attitude; the majority of the students (59, 2%) think there's a need to obtain ethical approval before conducting research. Moreover, (45.9%) of students believe that health practitioners have the right to use stem cells in treatments if those treatments have been scientifically proven to be effective on animals and on human cells in the laboratory. It is important to promote educational programs that inform medical students about the full range of possibilities offered by stem cell research. Furthermore, more studies is required to determine how society and religion affect medical students' attitudes toward stem cells.

Vaccine-incentivized blood donation: A survey of public perceptions in Canada.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Canadian blood donations declined during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, vaccine demand outpaced supply during the initial stages of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout in Canada. This study investigates public perceptions regarding vaccine-incentivized blood donation, among COVID-19 and future pandemics, in Canada. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 19-question survey was developed and distributed in person and online to Canadians during the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants were asked questions about demographics, blood donation eligibility, previous donations and sentiments towards vaccine-incentivized blood donation. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. RESULTS: In total, 787 respondents completed the survey with representation from all sexes, ages, races, locations of residence and work employment. Overall, 176 (22%) participants self-identified as working or living in healthcare settings, 511 (65%) were currently able to donate blood products, 247 (31%) previously donated blood and 48 (6%) donated blood during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the exception of ineligible blood donors, many Canadians, particularly previous blood donors, were agreeable with this incentivization proposal. Many participants claimed they would donate blood products for vaccines during COVID-19 and future pandemics but raised concerns about the equitableness of such approach. CONCLUSION: Vaccine-incentivized blood donation was viewed positively by many Canadians in our study. Future research must investigate the equity and feasibility of this strategy. In the interim, further strategies should be explored to encourage blood donation in Canada.

Engaging medical students in cardiac surgery: a focus on equity, diversity, and inclusion.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic prohibited Canadian medical students from in-person observerships. This may be particularly detrimental to under-represented groups that may consider surgical subspecialties. To address the unprecedented need for alternative surgical career exploration and diversity within the profession, The University of Toronto Cardiac Surgery Interest Group and Division of Cardiac Surgery collaborated on virtual experiential programming. RECENT FINDINGS: Medical students were invited to virtual (1) observerships of a cardiac bypass case, (2) mentorship sessions with surgeons, (3) resident teaching sessions, (4) multidisciplinary case-based Heart Team discussions to further their understanding of the scope of Cardiac surgery, and (5) a virtual coronary anastomosis training program. Additionally, a comprehensive virtual program was spearheaded to increase interest in Cardiac surgery among low-income Black high school students. SUMMARY: Trainee response to the virtual education, mentorship, and skill acquisition was positive. Trainees reported high levels of interest in the profession, particularly among females and under-represented minorities, supporting the principles of equity diversity, and inclusion in Cardiac surgery.

Sex differences in authorship in cardiothoracic surgery during the early coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic.

Objectives: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic negatively impacted cardiothoracic (CT) surgery, with changes in clinical, academic, and personal responsibilities. We hypothesized that the pandemic may disproportionately impact female academic CT surgeons, accentuating preexisting sex disparities. This study assessed sex differences in authorship of 2 major CT surgery journals during the early part of the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: All accepted submissions to The Annals of Thoracic Surgery and The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery between April and August of 2019 and the same period in 2020 were reviewed. Article type and author characteristics were obtained from the journals. Author sex was predicted using a validated multinational database (Genderize.io) and verified with authors' institutional and public professional profiles. Results: In total, 1106 submissions were accepted during the 2019 period, whereas 900 articles (18.6% decrease) were accepted during the same period in 2020. Original research articles comprised 33.3% of the 2019 articles but only 4.9% of the 2020 articles. Female authors contributed to 39.3% (23.1% original research and 16.2% nonoriginal articles) and 29.4% (3.3% original research and 26.1% nonoriginal articles) of articles during the 2019 and 2020 periods, respectively. This represents a marked change in the type of articles that female authors contributed to. Conclusions: Early on during the COVID-19 pandemic, the type of articles accepted, and authorship demographic changed. There was a decrease in contribution of female-authored CT surgery articles submitted to both journals, especially for original research. Future research will elucidate the long-term impact of the pandemic on sex disparities in academic productivity.