Minimally invasive aortic valve surgery: Where now and where to next?

Abstract

In summary, TC-AVI is a rapidly evolving field that is unlikely to disappear from clinical practice in the future. Owing to the truly minimally invasive nature of this technique, T-AVI has the potential to become a reliable treatment option in-selected high-risk patients. Currently, the superiority of TC-AVI compared with the excellent outcomes associated with conventional AVR is not proven by any randomized trial. Such a trial is definitely needed before we should even start to think about broadening the indication for TC-AVI to younger and lower-risk patients. A close collaboration between cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists is mandatory to ensure optimal outcome and patient safety. We should not repeat the inglorious story of coronary artery bypass grafts versus percutaneous coronary interventions but rather combine the key skills of each discipline by building highly specialized TC-valve teams. Patients do not benefit from political discussions or broadened indications that are not supported by evidence-based data. © 2009 Expert Reviews Ltd.