Robotic systems are increasingly used for complex bypasses and mitral valve repairs, with some patients returning to normal activities in just one week. A 2025 analysis showed that while robotic surgery takes longer, it reduces hospital stays by roughly two days and has a 68% lower mortality rate than traditional open-chest surgery.
Read more . . .
In February 2026, cardiologists at Mercy Health St. Vincent Medical Center performed the first “BATMAN” (Balloon-Assisted Translocation of the Mitral Anterior Leaflet) procedure in the Toledo area. This technique uses five catheters simultaneously to replace tissue valves in high-risk patients who cannot undergo open-heart surgery. Read more . . .
In January 2025, cardiologists and cardiac surgeons at the Yale School of Medicine performed the first BATMAN procedure in Connecticut. Read more . . .
Last month, researchers at the NIH and Emory School of Medicine successfully completed a coronary artery bypass — normally an open-heart surgery — without cutting the chest wall, thanks to what one of the surgeons called “some out-of the box thinking,” as reported in an article on the NIH website. “The results suggest that, in the future, a less traumatic alternative to open-heart surgery could become widely available for those at risk of coronary artery obstruction,” reads this article on the NIH website.
Read more . . .
Pediatric and Regenerative Medicine
Partial Heart Transplants
Researchers at Duke Health have successfully performed “domino” partial heart transplants in infants, where living valve tissue is transplanted to grow with the child, potentially eliminating the need for repeated surgeries as the child ages.
Read more . . .
“Off-the-Shelf” Valve Banking
New research at Florida International University is utilizing custom-built bioreactors to store living valve tissue for up to seven weeks, aiming to create a bank of “off-the-shelf” living valves for children.
Read more . . .
Photo by phonlamaiphoto on AdobeStock
Videos
‘Heart in a Box’ Technology
Using ‘heart in a box’ technology, surgeons at Northwestern Medicine have successfully transplanted a heart after it stopped beating. The technology resuscitated the stopped heart and kept it pumping outside the body until it could be transplanted.
Read more . . .
Watch video. . .
Stanford Center for Bloodless Cardiac Surgery
The Stanford Center for Bloodless Cardiac Surgery provides life-saving care for patients who cannot or choose not to receive blood transfusions. The center brings together anesthesiologists, hematologists, perfusionists, and surgeons in a team-based approach to perform complex cardiac surgeries without the use of blood products.
Watch video. . .
In The Spotlight: Jairo Monroy
Credentials
BSN, RN, RNFA, CNOR
Student Status
Graduated from NIFA’s RNFA program March 2025
City & State
Austin, TX
Current Position
Cardiovascular surgical nurse
Describe a situation in which you witnessed the difference NIFA training makes.
During a complex congenital heart surgery, I worked alongside a surgical team that included a first assistant who had not completed a formal RNFA program. While the assistant was competent in basic intraoperative skills, there were notable gaps in their ability to anticipate the surgeon’s needs, manage delicate tissue handling, and provide efficient hemostasis.
At one critical moment, the surgeon requested precise retraction to expose the operative field better. The assistant struggled with proper instrument placement, leading to prolonged surgical time and increased frustration within the team. Additionally, there was a delay in applying proper suture techniques during vessel anastomosis, requiring the surgeon to step in more than usual.
These inefficiencies not only extended the procedure but also increased the potential risk of complications for the patient. Had the assistant attended NIFA’s RNFA program, they would have received advanced training in surgical technique, tissue handling, and intraoperative decision-making. This additional expertise could have improved surgical flow, reduced operative time, and enhanced patient outcomes. A well-trained RNFA plays a crucial role in optimizing efficiency and supporting the surgeon, ultimately benefiting both the surgical team and the patient.
How was your experience with NIFA’s RNFA program?
As a cardiovascular surgical nurse specializing in congenital heart surgery, I am incredibly grateful for the training and expertise I have gained through NIFA’s RNFA program. This program has significantly enhanced my surgical assisting skills, allowing me to provide more precise, efficient, and proactive support in the operating room. The advanced techniques in tissue handling, suturing, and hemostasis have strengthened my ability to anticipate the needs of the surgical team, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
I am very grateful for the SutureStar Workshop. Congenital heart procedures demand a high level of precision and collaboration, and the knowledge I have gained from NIFA’s RNFA program has directly contributed to a more seamless and effective surgical flow. By refining my intraoperative decision-making and technical skills, this training empowered me to be a more confident and competent first assistant. I deeply appreciate the invaluable education and hands-on experience that have elevated my practice and, most importantly, benefited the delicate and complex patients I serve.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this newsletter are strictly those of their respective authors and do not necessarily represent the views of NIFA. NIFA does not give any express or implied warranty as to the accuracy of statements made by our contributors and does not accept any liability for error or omission. It is the responsibility of all perioperative personnel to work within and adhere to their facility bylaws and individual scope of practice.
The past year has seen numerous developments in heart surgery. In this issue we bring you news about a few of them, from robotic surgery breakthroughs to a bank of living valves for children.
In March 2025, surgeons at Baylor St. Luke’s Medical Center completed the first fully robotic heart transplant in the United States on a 45-year-old patient. “Using a surgical robot, lead surgeon Dr. Kenneth Liao and his team made small, precise incisions,” writes Taylor Barnes on the Baylor College of Medicine website, “eliminating the need to open the chest and break the breastbone.” This significantly reduced recovery time and blood loss.