Minimally invasive video-assisted graft replacement of a descending thoracic aortic aneurysm

Heart Surg Forum. 2003;6(3):E59-61.

Abstract

Standard surgical therapy of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms entails obligate extensive operative exposure that is associated with significant postoperative pain and morbidity. A 70-year-old patient with multiple significant comorbidities including severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (force expiratory volume at 1 second, 0.66 L) presented with a highly symptomatic, eccentric, descending thoracic aortic aneurysm. The patient underwent successful minimally invasive video-assisted graft repair of this aneurysm. This report represents the first known clinical application of this operative approach.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnostic imaging
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / surgery*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Photography
  • Radiography
  • Video-Assisted Surgery / methods*