title: Starting out in minimally invasive aortic valve replacement in the UK.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Here we aim to describe in detail the logical procedure and philosophical approach to establish a minimally access aortic valve replacement programme in the current era.
  
  
  METHODS
  A real example of a National Health Service Trust in the United Kingdom has been described in a step-wise manner.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The outcomes of the new procedure established in this fashion are reported and the philosophical lessons learnt from the experiences are highlighted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is hoped that this paper will act as a template for newly established surgeons to embark onto a mini-AVR programme. An open-minded and enthusiastic team will undoubtedly be able to facilitate the introduction of this 'new service'. A sensible approach will provide safe and sustainable outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK hunaidvohra@yahoo.co.uk.
authors.forename: Hunaid A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Vohra
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Ricky
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vaja
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Ilias
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iakovakis
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Vinayak
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bapat
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, University Hospitals Leicester, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK.
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szostek
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Young
mesh_terms: D001021:Aortic Valve / Q000601:surgery*; D006349:Heart Valve Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D019918:Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Aortic valve; Minimally invasive; Programme; Replacement