title: Long-term follow-up of minimally invasive cardiac surgery using an endoaortic occlusion system.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We reviewed the initial patient series (n=116) of our institution performing minimally invasive coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (n=79), mitral valve surgery (n=1), or atrial septal closure (ASD) procedures (n=26) using an endoaortic occlusion system. With this technique relevant intra-aortic pressures are exerted on the aortic wall during the clamping time. This might lead to late aortic degeneration and aneurysm formation. Our study sought to evaluate postoperative aortic complications and the quality of life (modified SF-12).
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixteen patients (56% male; 54 years ± 14.5; range 19 years to 77 years) underwent a cardiac procedure using an endoaortic clamp. The endoaortic balloon clamp catheter was used to occlude the ascending aorta at pressures >300 mmHg. Patients were rescheduled for echocardiographic examination after a mean follow-up period of 8.8 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analysis performed among 78 patients showed no incidence of any structural damage to the ascending aorta at the intraoperative position of the endoaortic balloon. The physical and mental summary scores are equal to those of comparable patient groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The endoaortic occlusion system causes no damage to the aortic wall. If the system causes any problems, they occur immediately during surgery. Patients treated with this minimally invasive technique exhibited the same quality of life as those undergoing conventional surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Arndt-H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Kiessling
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Philipp
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kisker
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miskovic
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Nestoras
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Papadopoulos
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zierer
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital Frankfurt Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
authors.forename: Anton
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moritz
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery*; D021721:Balloon Occlusion / Q000401:mortality*; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000401:mortality*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000401:mortality*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome