In this episode of the Structural Heart podcast, world-renowned cardiothoracic surgeons Dr. Patrick McCarthy and Dr. Dan O'Hair discuss a wide range of topics centered around advancing technology within the surgical and structural heart landscape. The episode starts with Dr. McCarthy and Dr. O'Hair discussing emerging surgical mitral technology alongside how lulls in procedures associated with the COVID-19 pandemic afforded them the extra time to analyze their own program data and better understand which patients benefited most from various cardiac therapies. Next, the conversation shifts from mitral to aortic as they discuss consistent themes and fundamentals that are shared between open-heart aortic valve replacements and transcatheter aortic valve replacements. Both physicians speak to the importance of practicing evidence-based medicine within the cardiovascular space and making decisions rooted in data regarding critical procedures like valve replacements. The episode concludes with light-hearted conversation lessons they wish they had learned earlier in their careers and want to pass along to an emerging generation of cardiovascular physicians.