The heart as access to the aorta

Abstract

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an accepted treatment option for patients with thoracic aortic pathologies regarded as unfit for open surgery. Nevertheless, a subgroup of these patients is ineligible for classic TEVAR due to the lack of access vessels. We describe the transapical TEVAR technique enabling surgeons to perform TEVAR even in these patients. © The Author 2013. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.