Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Role of Earlier Intervention

Semin Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2015 Summer;27(2):135-43. doi: 10.1053/j.semtcvs.2015.07.006. Epub 2015 Jul 28.

Abstract

For this article, we are asked to make a case for early surgery in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) disease. We are able to accumulate arguments in favor of early surgery. Specifically, (1) it is impossible to predict the onset of aortic dissection with complete accuracy. (2) Aortic dissection that is allowed to occur has high early mortality and impaired late survival. (3) Aortic surgery is very safe in the present era. (4) Living with a TAA, the inherent risk of aortic dissection has a high emotional burden. For these reasons, a case for early prophylactic surgery in TAA disease can fairly be made.

Keywords: aortic dissection; aortic rupture; early intervention; thoracic aortic aneurysm.

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnosis
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / mortality
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / physiopathology
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis
  • Aortic Dissection / etiology
  • Aortic Dissection / mortality
  • Aortic Dissection / physiopathology
  • Aortic Dissection / prevention & control*
  • Aortic Rupture / diagnosis
  • Aortic Rupture / etiology
  • Aortic Rupture / mortality
  • Aortic Rupture / physiopathology
  • Aortic Rupture / prevention & control*
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Disease Progression
  • Early Medical Intervention*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Hemodynamics
  • Humans
  • Pedigree
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures* / adverse effects
  • Vascular Surgical Procedures* / mortality