Minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (MiECC) technology is the result of strong efforts to further improve the biocompatibility of cardiopulmonary bypass circuits to minimize the adverse effects and improve clinical results. The Minimal invasive Extra-Corporeal Technologies international Society (MiECTiS) was founded in 2014 during the 1st International Symposium on Minimal Invasive Extracorporeal Technologies that was held in Thessaloniki. The idea behind this was to create an international forum for the exchange of ideas on technological research but also clinical application in this field. In 2017, a panel of experts summarized the current evidence on minimal invasive extracorporeal technology in a consensus document that was published by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery in the Interactive Journal.
The present issue of the Journal of Thoracic Disease gives an overview about the main topic covered during the 3rd International Symposium of MiECTis, that was held in Bern, Switzerland in June 2018. Numerous experts in the field of Adult and Pediatric Cardiac Surgery, Cardiac Anesthesiology and Extracorporeal Perfusion summarized beside state of the art concepts in minimal invasive extracorporeal circulation (materials, techniques some of the most actual key issues in clinical practice covering topics like inflammation and coagulation, monitoring and optimization of the micro-circulation, myocardial protection and more).
I hope that this issue will encourage many cardio-surgical teams to pursue their positive clinical and experimental work with MIECT and convince others to embrace this innovative and overwhelming technology. The next meeting will be a Consensus Update on MIECT in Thessaloniki on November 30th (held as internet-based open meeting) and the 4th International Symposium in London, Ontario (Canada) on June 25–27, 2020. I hope you will be with us.
Thierry Carrel, MD
Acknowledgments
None.
Footnotes
Conflicts of Interest: The author has no conflicts of interest to declare.