Aortic surgery, coarctation of the aorta, and aortic dissection

During the past year, significant advances were made in the insertion of composite valve grafts for the ascending aorta, replacement of the aortic arch, treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, and in the screening of patients with abdominal aortic aneurysms for cardiac disease. Controversy remains as how to best manage patients with aortic coarctation, and a recent symposium reviewed the techniques extensively. Methods of detecting aortic dissection have evolved, with increasing use of advanced technology such as transesophageal echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. The management of the aortic arch in patients with acute aortic dissection has been debated.