The aorta is classified as an organ
Published: Wednesday, Feb 28th 2024, 11:10
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Medical honor for the aorta: The aorta is now considered an independent human organ. "Recognition as an organ puts the aorta on a par with the heart, lungs or brain," said Martin Czerny from the University Medical Center Freiburg (Germany).
"This is a big step." The new status was therefore defined in the guidelines for aortic surgery treatments of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the US Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).
The classification is particularly relevant for doctors and clinics: Until now, it was common for aortic diseases to be treated either in cardiac surgery or vascular surgery, depending on their type and location.
"The new guidelines clearly recommend bundling the treatment of the aorta in a separate specialist area, naturally in close coordination with other specialist areas," explained Czerny, Medical Director of the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Heart Center. This will improve the treatment of aortic tears and other serious diseases.
The aorta is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart into the body. The large blood vessel - the largest artery in the body - extends from the left ventricle to vessels in the pelvic area. The aorta also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and blood flow velocity, according to the Freiburg University Medical Center.
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