With the full implementation of physician workstyle reform in 2024, task sharing in cardiovascular surgery has become increasingly important. This study conducted a nationwide questionnaire survey targeting young cardiovascular surgeons and nurses certified for specified medical acts to investigate the current status and challenges of task sharing in this field. Results revealed that while nurses were actively involved in postoperative care and certain bedside procedures, their participation in intraoperative and emergency tasks remained limited. From the nurses' perspective, concerns were raised regarding career development, compensation, and the lack of structured educational support. These findings suggest that, to ensure sustainable and effective task sharing in cardiovascular surgery, it is essential to establish clear role definitions and implement systemic organizational support for certified nurses.

The first examination of the new board of the Japanese cardiovascular surgery took place in 2022. As it is a transitional period for the new system, many doctors are not familiar with the changes and details of the new system, and some have their concerns. Here, we held a round-table discussion with doctors who actually took the new board of the Japanese cardiovascular surgery under the new system, and we summarized their opinion.

We report a successful case of fulminant myocarditis treated with central ECMO with a transapical left ventricular vent (TLVV). A 33-year-old man was diagnosed with fulminant myocarditis with acute biventricular failure. Using a cardio-pulmonary bypass, we introduced central ECMO with ascending aortic perfusion, right atrial venous drainage and TLVV. After ancillary circulation, his cardiac function gradually improved. The endotracheal tube was removed 5 days after the surgery (POD 5), and he was weaned from ECMO on POD 7 and discharged on POD 38. Although there are many cases in which peripheral veno-arterial ECMO (VA-ECMO) is used for fulminant myocarditis, there is a drawback to VA-ECMO : left ventricle (LV) unloading may be incomplete. Insufficient LV unloading may cause pulmonary congestion or disadvantage in myocardial recovery. TLVV can be used as a solution to unload the left ventricle. Central ECMO with TLVV should be useful therapy for fulminant myocarditis.

A 76-year-old man with a complaint of dyspnea was diagnosed with acute severe mitral regurgitation due to ruptured chordae tendineae. For improvement of pulmonary congestion, we introduced IMPELLA 5.0® and extra-corporeal membrane oxygenation before valve surgery. After two-days' IMPELLA 5.0® support, mitral valve replacement surgery with a bioprosthetic valve was performed and IMPELLA 5.0® was withdrawn. We report a successful case of a bridge to surgery using IMPELLA 5.0® with mitral valve regurgitation accompanied by acute left heart failure with severe respiratory failure.