Aortotomy

Aortotomy is a surgical procedure that involves making an incision in the aorta, the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aortotomy may be performed to repair damage to the aorta due to injury, infection, or disease, or to allow for the placement of a prosthetic graft.

There are two primary types of aortotomy: transverse and longitudinal. A transverse aortotomy involves making an incision across the aorta, usually to repair an aortic tear or aneurysm. A longitudinal aortotomy involves making a vertical incision along the length of the aorta, often to replace a diseased segment of the aorta.

The procedure typically involves a general or regional anesthetic, and the patient is placed on cardiopulmonary bypass to allow for the surgery to be performed on a still heart. The surgeon makes an incision in the chest, opens the aorta, and then closes it with sutures or applies a prosthetic graft. The patient is then taken off cardiopulmonary bypass and the chest is closed.

Aortotomy carries significant risks, including bleeding, infection, and injury to surrounding blood vessels. Long-term complications can include aortic regurgitation, stenosis, and graft failure. Not all patients are candidates for aortotomy, and the decision to perform the procedure is typically made on a case-by-case basis by a cardiothoracic surgeon in conjunction with the patient's cardiologist and other specialists.