Authors

S Shirley¹;  ¹ Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital, UK

Discusssion

Adult cardiac surgery is becoming increasing complex with development of aortic surgery, minimally invasive surgery, robotics and ACHD leading to the development of sub specialisms. Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital has become a national provider for complex aortic surgery performing just over 200 cases per year (out of 2200 cardiac cases), of which approximately 50 are descending thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm repair, 50 arch replacements and 100 root procedures. Surgical sub specialism has led to aortic work being concentrated in to 5 surgeons job plans. This sub specialism has led not only to development of surgical skills but also a team approach to development of a range of different techniques including left heart bypass, MEP measurements and coagulopathy/blood management. This presentation will discuss results from LHCH type A dissection repair that have demonstrated sub specialisation and how development of a specialist aortic service has facilitated high volume activity and improved outcomes. I will briefly introduce some of the other improvements made and will consider future developments.