ESC and EACTS joint statement

2022 joint ESC/EACTS review of the 2018 guideline recommendations on the revascularization of left main coronary artery disease

The European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) have collaborated on reviewing the evidence for the treatment of low surgical-risk patients with left main coronary artery disease. The review, authored by a panel chaired by Professors Robert Byrne and Stephen Fremes, was published today in the EHJ and EJCTS.

The expert group’s conclusion, after a comprehensive review of all relevant evidence, is that for low-surgical risk patients, both coronary artery bypass surgery  (CABG) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are clinically reasonable based on patient preference, available expertise, and local operator volumes. They have advised that in future guidelines the class of recommendation and level of evidence for CABG should be Class I and Level of Evidence A, whilst for PCI it should be Class IIa and Level of Evidence A.

Their report and associated materials are now being considered by the Task Force working on a new guideline for Chronic Coronary Syndromes, scheduled for publication in August 2024. Until then, the ESC and EACTS believe that local Heart Teams should consider both the current (2018) guidelines and the findings of the expert group when discussing the management of patients with stable coronary artery disease.

You can read more on this story:

  • Click here to read the Editorial co-authored by Rafa Sádaba (former EACTS Secretary General) and Colin Baigent (Chair, ESC Clinical Practice Guidelines Committee 2020-2)
  • Click here to access the Task Force’s findings: the 2022 joint ESC/EACTS review of the 2018 guideline recommendations on the revascularization of left main coronary artery disease in patients at low surgical risk and anatomy suitable for PCI or CABG.

Vacancy: CPG Chair and Committee

Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee Chair and Committee Members  

EACTS is the leading professional association for cardiothoracic surgeons and allied health professionals and is committed to providing the highest level of continuing educational activities for raising standards and helping improving outcomes for patients with cardiovascular, thoracic, and vascular disease. The purpose of the Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPG) Committee is to provide comprehensive and regularly updated clinical practice guidelines to assist patients and a wide range of healthcare practitioners in making effective decisions that will have a positive impact on patient outcomes and health-related quality of life.  

EACTS is seeking to appoint a Chair to lead the Committee and approximately 8 Committee members. 

Closing date 

The closing date for both Chair and Committee roles has been extended to 10 May 2023, 5 pm GMT

Chair role 

Read the information for applicants for the role description and person specification, and for information on the application and selection process. Please ensure you include in your application a completed Additional questions for applicants form. 

 

Committee member roles 

Read the information for applicants for the role description and person specification, and for information on the application and selection process. Please ensure you include in your application a completed Additional questions for applicants form.  

How to apply

Please apply via the EACTS Membership User Area

For instructions on how to apply via the EACTS User Area, please click here

Contacts 

If you have any questions please contact the Guidelines Programme Manager [email protected]