Houston Methodist 14th Annual Re-Evolution Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery (MICS) Summit 2026

The Re-Evolution MICS Summit explores minimally invasive, robotic, endoscopic, and hybrid approaches to cardiac surgery. Held at Houston Methodist on March 26–27, 2026, the program connects patient selection and operative technique with imaging, perioperative pathways, and surgical training. The listed presentations cover mitral repair and reoperations, aortic valve and aortic surgery, transcatheter versus surgical valve strategies, arrhythmia surgery, and program development. Expert conversations add perspectives on the practical challenges of building and refining a minimally invasive service. The material is aimed at cardiac surgeons, trainees, interventional specialists, anesthesiologists, and other members of cardiovascular teams.

Learning Objectives

• Evaluate operative techniques and patient selection criteria for minimally invasive and totally endoscopic aortic and mitral valve surgeries.
• Refine robotic surgical workflows for complex mitral valve repair, durable left atrial appendage (LAA) closure, and hybrid surgical ablation.
• Implement step-by-step minithoracotomy approaches for aortic valve replacement (AVR), annular enlargement, and ascending aorta/hemiarch replacement.
• Analyze lifetime management strategies comparing transcatheter (TAVR, TMVR, TR) and surgical valve interventions (SAVR, SMVR) in young and complex patients.
• Formulate salvage algorithms and re-operative strategies for structural valve failure and failed percutaneous interventions, including failed MitraClip.
• Integrate Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols, advanced intraoperative 3D imaging, and artificial intelligence into the modern cardiac surgical suite.

The original summit included live cases and hands-on training at MITIE; purchasing recordings does not include hands-on participation, procedural competency assessment, or live attendance. Its nine AMA credits and associated professional education benefits are not included. The retained topic list identifies the material described by this store listing.

Topics

• Welcome & Summit Vision

  • 2026 Re-Evolution Summit – Welcome and Course Vision

• Robotic & Endoscopic Mitral Valve Surgery

  • Robotic Mitral Valve Surgery – Technical Pearls for Durable LAA Closure

  • Robotic Mitral Valve Repair – Building a Sustainable Program From Launch to Mastery

  • Endoscopic Mitral Repair – Where Do We Stand in 2026

  • When Not to Offer Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Surgery – The Talk Nobody Gives

  • Mitral Re-Operation Strategies Through Minimally Invasive Access

  • Failed MitraClip in Severe Mitral Regurgitation – Endoscopic Mitral Valve Replacement With Concomitant AF Ablation

• Minimally Invasive & Endoscopic Aortic Valve & Aortic Surgery

  • Severe Aortic Regurgitation – Fully Endoscopic AVR via Lateral Minithoracotomy With 3D Visualization

  • Direct Vision Minithoracotomy AVR – Step by Step

  • Right Anterior Mini-Thoracotomy AVR with Annular Enlargement

  • Endoscopic Aortic Valve Replacement – Techniques, Outcomes, and Learning Curve

  • Robotic Aortic Valve Surgery – Where Roots Grow and Aneurysms Go

  • Ascending Aorta and Hemiarch Through a Mini-Thoracotomy – Techniques, Outcomes, Learning Curve

  • AVR Disaster – Houston, We Have a Problem

• Structural Heart & Transcatheter Valve Interplay

  • Aortic Valve Disease in Younger Patients – Navigating TAVR-First vs SAVR-First Lifetime Management Strategies

  • When Should TAVI or SAVR Be First-Line Therapy for Aortic Valve Disease

  • Emerging Transcatheter Heart Valve Technologies – Which TAVR, TMVR, and TR Devices Are Shaping Future Care

  • Structural Heart and Valve Surgery – Navigating the Transition to Total Endoscopic Cardiac Surgery

• Surgical Arrhythmia & Advanced Techniques

  • Mini Maze Revisited – Innovation, Durability, and Its Role in Modern AF Surgery

• Quality, Technology & Program Building

  • Democratizing Minimally Invasive Surgery – Where Do We Stand in 2026

  • Artificial Intelligence in Cardiac Surgery – Building the AI-Enhanced Operating Room

  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery and ERAS – Building a Standardized Pathway for Faster Recovery

  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery – Advanced Imaging for Preoperative Planning and Intraoperative Guidance

  • Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery Training – Building Skills Through Fellowships and International Mentorship

• Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts

  • Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts – Drs. Ramchandani and Velicki

  • Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts – Drs. Sarfaraz and Murtaza

  • Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts – Drs. Ramchandani and Knight

  • Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts – Drs. Sarfaraz and Bisleri

  • Re-Evolution Talks – Moments with the Experts – Drs. Ramchandani and Granov

Course Directors

• Qasim Al Abri, MD
• Mahesh Ramchandani, MD, FRCS, FACS
• Nermir Granov, MD, PhD
• Ziyab Sarfaraz, BSc, MD, FRCSC
• Moritz Wyler von Ballmoos, MD, PhD, MPH, FACC, FAHA

Faculty

• Joe Aoun, MD
• Marvin Atkins, MD
• Farhad Bakhtiary, MD
• Robert Balan, MHBA
• Gianluigi Bisleri, MD, FRCSC
• Ponraj Chinnadurai, MBBS
• Gry Dahle, MD, PhD
• Aly Ghoneim, MD, PhD, FRCSC
• Ali Hage, MD, MPH
• Zain Khalpey, MD, PhD, FACS
• Peter Knight, MD
• Ghulam Murtaza, MD
• Giulio Quarti, MD
• Basel Ramlawi, MD, FACS, FACC
• Michael Reardon, MD
• Lazar Velicki, MD, PhD
• Randall Wolf, MD, FACS, FACC
• Mahesh Ramchandani, MD, FRCS, FACS
• Moritz Wyler von Ballmoos, MD, PhD, MPH, FACC, FAHA