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A Cut Above: Cardiothoracic insights from EACTSAuthor: European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery (EACTS)
The podcast series from the European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery. Published monthly, episodes will aim to keep listeners informed of the latest research findings and Guideline recommendations. Inspire and educate with interviews from key opinion leaders and residents from the community and encourage debate and discussion on key hot topics. A Cut Above will allow the cardiothoracic and the wider Heart team community, with increasingly busy schedules, to keep abreast of latest research and key discussions impacting day-to-day practice whilst on the go. Language: en-gb Genres: Health & Fitness, Medicine, Science Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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A Stitch That Changed Mitral Repair
Episode 39
Monday, 30 March, 2026
How did a simple stitch transform mitral valve repair? In this episode, we spotlight the pioneers of cardiothoracic surgery, Ottavio Alfieri and Francesco Maisano - the minds behind the edge-to-edge repair. They revisit the early 1990s, when mitral repair was complex and inconsistent, and share how the now-famous Alfieri stitch—inspired by a congenital double-orifice valve—offered a simple, reliable solution. From early skepticism to global adoption and the rise of transcatheter therapies like MitraClip, this conversation traces how one elegant idea reshaped mitral valve treatment and continues to influence the future of structural heart therapy.












