Thoracic Aortic Surgery in the 21st Century

Before a look to the future, we should reflect and acknowledge the contributions of those who came before us, starting with the first description of aneurysm by Galen of Pergamon in the 2nd century.1 Antyllus, a Greek surgeon, suggested and discussed that aneurysms were due to clotting phenomena.2 In 1555, the Flemish surgeon Vesalius offered description of thoracic and abdominal aneurysms3 and Ambroise Par é, of Paris, stated that opening an aneurysm would result in fatal bleeding and that “the aneurysms which happen in the internal parts are incurable.” Those historical observations created a reticence to treat aortic disease and made successful treatment of aneurysm elusive.
Source: Seminars in Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery - Category: Cardiovascular & Thoracic Surgery Authors: Tags: Editorial Source Type: research