CT Research Update: Summer 2026

Surgery

CT SURGERY RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: SUMMER 2026

SAMPLE OF PUBLICATIONS

Adult Cardiac

Hockstein, M. A., Johnson, N. J., Horns, J. J., Youngquist, S. T., Cho, S. M., & Tonna, J. E. (2026). Impact of Advanced Cardiac Life Support Medications on Discharge Neurological Function for Survivors of Cardiac Arrest When Using ECPR. Circulation. Heart failure, 19(3), e013420. https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCHEARTFAILURE.125.013420

Hockstein, M. A., Horns, J. J., Hanff, T., Taleb, I., Selzman, C., Drakos, S., Nelson, R., & Tonna, J. E. (2026). Hospital Costs Associated With Mechanical Left Ventricular Unloading Devices During VA ECMO for Adult Cardiogenic Shock. Artificial organs, 50(6), 917–923. https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.70117

Anderson-Bell, D. M., Millar, M. M., Codden, R. R., Drakos, S., Selzman, C., Skidmore, C. R., Carlson, M., Welt, F., Hanff, T., Kagawa, H., Glotzbach, J., Steely, A., Sharma, V., Goodwin, M., Haase, D., Carr, J., & Tonna, J. E. (2026). National Practice Patterns of VA ECMO and Left Ventricular Mechanical Unloading for Cardiogenic Shock. Artificial organs, 10.1111/aor.70188. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/aor.70188

Goodwin, M. L., Nickel, I. C., Li, H., Kagawa, H., Kyriakopoulos, C. P., Hanff, T. C., Stehlik, J., Drakos, S. G., & Selzman, C. H. (2025). Direct procurement with machine perfusion and normothermic regional perfusion in donation after circulatory death heart transplantation. The Journal of thoracic and cardiovascular surgery, 170(1), 256–265.e6. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtcvs.2024.10.033

Pediatric

Griffiths, E. R., Profsky, M. P., Mokshagundam, D., Boucek, K., Amdani, S., Davies, R. R., Monge, M. C., Morales, D. L., Rossano, J. W., Jacobs, J. P., Kirklin, J. K., Koehl, D., Cantor, R., Peng, D. M., & Pedimacs Investigators (2025). Eighth Annual Society of Thoracic Surgeons Pedimacs Report. The Annals of thoracic surgery, S0003-4975(25)00009-8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2024.12.020

Leigh, P., Harman, E., & Husain, S. A. (2026). Perfusion strategy and surgical repair of Type A interrupted aortic arch and Type 1 aortopulmonary window: a case report. The journal of extra-corporeal technology, 58(1), 85–89. https://doi.org/10.1051/ject/2025052

Philliben, R., Keene, J., Campbell, K., Sandoval Karamian, A., Ostrander, B., Hobbs, R., Stidham, C., Kay, B., & Glotzbach, K. (2026). Continuous EEG monitoring after neonatal cardiac surgery: seizure incidence and prognostic background abnormalities. Pediatric research, 10.1038/s41390-026-05048-7. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41390-026-05048-7

Thoracic

Reddington, H., Schumacher, L., Watkins, A. A., Mitzman, B., Wachter, B., Lui, N., Furlong, M., Shehata, D., Chang, C. C., Quadri, S., Lazar, J. F., Hasson, R., Maxfield, M. W., Uy, K., & Lou, F. (2026). Recommendations for Emergency Robotic Thoracic Conversions and Intraoperative Resuscitation: A Modified Delphi Consensus Study. The Annals of thoracic surgery, 121(1), 41–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.athoracsur.2025.06.012

Kagawa, H., Contreras, N., Goodwin, M., Frye, L., Raman, S., Cahill, B., Hachem, R., Morrell, M., & Selzman, C. H. (2026). Targeting leukocytes, neutrophil extracellular traps and cytokines: A conceptual review to prevent primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation. Transplantation reviews (Orlando, Fla.), 40(2), 100989. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trre.2025.100989

Pan, Y., Chang, C. E., Wong, N. D., Nianogo, R. A., Rao, J., Varghese, T., Zhang, Z. F., & Hashibe, M. (2026). Disparities in Depression Among Older Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Patients With Lung Cancer. Cancer medicine, 15(6), e72052. https://doi.org/10.1002/cam4.72052

Translational Science

Shah, A. R., Puccio, A., Yazaki, K., Offei, E., Ruiz Castilo, M. S., Jaroonpipatkul, S., Yaktaeian Vaziri, A., Khan, M. S., Ranjan, R., Hitchcock, R., & Dosdall, D. J. (2026). Effect of lead body and helix design variables on implantation success, insertion depth, and muscle torque in the left bundle branch area: Insights from an ex vivo porcine model. Heart rhythm, S1547-5271(26)00157-8. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hrthm.2026.02.034

Drakos, S., Shankar, T. S., Visker, J., Amrute, J., Polishchuk, G., Lunde, T., Ling, J., Ferrin, P., Hamouche, R., Feigle, D., Calder, D., Sachse, F., Kyriakopoulos, C., Maneta, E., Tseliou, E., Navankasattusas, S., Selzman, C., Seidel, T., & Lavine, K. (2026). Adipocyte Enhancer Binding Protein 1 (AEBP1) Inhibition as a Potential Anti-Fibrotic Therapy in Heart Failure. Research square, rs.3.rs-3390276. https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3390276/v2

Weldy, C. S., Li, Q., Monteiro, J. P., Peters, T. S., Weldy, C. S., Li, Q., Monteiro, J. P., Peters, T. S., Guo, H., Galls, D., Gu, W., Cheng, P. P., Ramste, M., Li, D., Palmisano, B. T., Sharma, D., Worssam, M. D., Zhao, Q., Bhate, A., Kundu, R. K., Nguyen, T., Mokry, M., Miller, C. L., van der Laan, S. W., … Quertermous, T. (2025). Smooth muscle expression of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 controls activation of the RNA sensor MDA5 in atherosclerosis. Nature cardiovascular research, 4(10), 1241–1257. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-025-00710-5

Galls, D., Gu, W., Cheng, P. P., Ramste, M., Li, D., Palmisano, B. T., Sharma, D., Worssam, M. D., Zhao, Q., Bhate, A., Kundu, R. K., Nguyen, T., Mokry, M., Miller, C. L., van der Laan, S. W., … Quertermous, T. (2025). Smooth muscle expression of RNA editing enzyme ADAR1 controls activation of the RNA sensor MDA5 in atherosclerosis. Nature cardiovascular research, 4(10), 1241–1257. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44161-025-00710-5

A full list of our research publications from the past couple of years can be found at the PubMed listing online. 

AWARDED FUNDING

  • Ademuyiwa Aromolaran, PhD
    • Title(s): R01 PA 20-185 Targeting IL-6; Role for Leukorienes
    • Sponsor: DHHS National Institutes of Health 
  • Derek Dosdall, PhD
    • Title(s): RO1 HL 171686-03; Novel Gene Therapy for Chronic Ischemic Heart Failure
    • Sponsor: NHLBI
  • Hongchao Guo, PhD
    • Title(s): RO1 HL 179352; Elucidating the molecular mechanisms of smoking-induced endothelial dysfunction associated with ALDH2*2
    • Sponsor: NHLBI
  • Joseph Tonna, MD
    • Title(s): RO1 HL 168510-03; Physiology of Unloading VA ECMO Trial
    • Sponsor: NHLBI
    • Multi-site trial; University of Utah sIRB; Sub sites = University of Michigan, new site to be added Fall 2026

A full list of our current grants can be found on our research webpage. 

STUDY HIGHLIGHT

PI: Craig Selzman, MD 

Project: Investigation of the BrioVAD System for the Treatment of Left Ventricular Heart Failure (INNOVATE) Trial

Sponsor:  BrioHealth Solutions, Inc. The University of Utah is participating as a study site with Dr. Selzman as the site lead PI.

Background: Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) work to help the heart pump blood when it cannot. This is typically used when an individual is in advanced heart failure. There is a new LVAD device and it is unclear how or if it works as well as or better than the current LVAD devices used in standard of care. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the BrioVAD system when used for treatment for advanced, refractory, LVHF when compared with the HeartMate 3 device.  

Study Design: Participants are eligible if they are at least 18 years of age, in advanced HF (NYHA Class III or IV), and approval for LVAD implant. If enrolled, they will be followed for 2 years. Participants will be randomized to either BrioVAD System or HeartMate 3 Device in a 1:1 randomization. 

For more information: 

A full list of registered clinical trials can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.

UPCOMING RESEARCH

PI: Matt Goodwin, MD 

Project: EnCompass Clamp and the AtriClip in Box Lesion and Left Atrial Appendage Exclusion Procedure for the Prevention of New Onset of Atrial Fibrillation (BoxX-NoAF)

Background: Post Operative Atrial Fibrillation (POAF) is the most common complication of cardiac surgery, with an incidence that can exceed 50%. This study is evaluating the prophylactic ablation and exclusion of the LAA at the time of surgery with the EnCompass Clamp and the Atrial Clip in the box lesion and LAA exclusion procedure. The purpose of this study is to see if creating a “box lesion” and closing part of the heart stops postoperative atrial fibrillation (POAF).  

Study Design: Participants are eligible if they are at least 18 and a maximum of 65 years of age, have a planned cardiac surgery requiring cardiac bypass and opening of the pericardium. If enrolled, they will be followed for 3 years. Participants will be randomized to either the treatment (ablation + LAA Exclusion with Atrial Clip + index cardiac surgery) or the control (index surgery only) in a 1:1 ratio. 

For more information: 

PI: Craig Selzman, MD 

Project: Randomized Evaluation of Less Invasive Ventricular Enhancement (RELIVE Trial)

Background: Damaged areas of the heart, especially in the front and bottom parts, are called scars or aneurysms. These damaged parts are common among those with heart failure. The purpose of this study is to test a special device called the BioVentrix Revivent System to help people with heart failure by improving heart function and making them feel healthier.  

Study Design: Participants are eligible if they are at least 18, have a scar or aneurysm in a specific part of the heart, have been taking the right heart medicine for at least 3 months, and their heart is not pumping very strongly. If enrolled, they will be followed for 5 years. Participants will be randomized to either the treatment group (Revivent System + GDMT) or the control group (GDMT only) in a 2:1 ratio. 

For more information: 

A full list of registered clinical trials can be found on ClinicalTrials.gov.

DID YOU KNOW?

CT Surgery Research encompasses: 

  • Adult Cardiac
  • Pediatric Cardiac (Primary Children’s)
  • Huntsman team (Huntsman Cancer Institute)
  • Animal Lab Research 
  • Perfusion 

Don’t see your publication or research highlight? Want to share new updates or projects in the works? Please contact Margaret (Margaret.carlson@hsc.utah.edu) to reflect in the next newsletter. 

EXPLORE OUR NEW CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY RESEARCH WEBSITE

We're excited to announce the launch of our new University of Utah Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery Research website—this resource is designed to showcase the breadth and impact of our division's research enterprise. Whether you're a collaborator, trainee, faculty member, or simply interested in our work, the site provides an inside look at the innovative science, clinical trials, and multidisciplinary teams driving advances in cardiothoracic surgery. Visit the site here: https://medicine.utah.edu/surgery/cardiothoracic/research.

The new website highlights our research laboratories, featuring the work of investigators including  Selzman,  Tonna,  Glotzbach,  Dosdall, Aromolaran, and Guo Labs, each focused on advancing discoveries in areas ranging from heart failure and myocardial recovery to ECMO, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiovascular genetics, and structural heart disease. You'll also find dedicated pages highlighting our faculty researchers, active clinical trials, recent publications, and externally funded grants, providing a comprehensive view of the division's commitment to basic, translational, and clinical research.

The site also serves as a hub for current and prospective collaborators, trainees, and students interested in joining our research efforts. Whether you're looking to learn more about ongoing studies, identify potential collaborators, or explore opportunities within the division, we invite you to browse the new website and discover how our team is advancing the future of cardiothoracic surgery through research, innovation, and education. We encourage you to explore the site, share it with colleagues, and check back regularly as new publications, funding awards, investigators, and clinical trials are added.

To learn more about current research opportunities or to collaborate with someone in our division, please contact Dr. Selzman and Margaret Carlson. 

Principal investigators, feel free to reach out to Margaret Carlson for more information on research start-ups, collaboration, or guidance. 

For more resources, please visit the Department of Surgery and Resources page.