ISTITUTIONAL MULTIDISCIPLINARY AORTIC TEAM: EARLY REPORT OF 18-MONTHS ACTIVITY

Introduction: The growing complexity of cases of aortic pathology referred to the cardiac surgeon is making necessary to carry out increasingly accurate preoperative assessment to optimize operative management and postoperative outcomes. This has been recognized by guidelines that have expressly indicated the need for a multidisciplinary “Aortic Team”. Here we report the preliminary results of “Aortic Team” set up at our Hospital 18-months ago. Materials and Methods: Following the introduction of the outpatient clinic dedicated to thoracic aortic pathology we decided to discuss complex cases in a dedicated multidisciplinary meeting including figures from surgical, clinical and diagnostic medical fields. The peculiarity of our “Aortic Team” is, the participation of different specialties from the engineering-biomedical field. The planning of the meeting was finalized 1-2 week in advance in order to give all participants the opportunity to evaluate all the available documentation. Results: Since April 2023, when the “Aortic Team” was officially inaugurated, 15 meetings have been held on a monthly basis with discussion between 3-5 patients. Forty-four patients were discussed (for a total of 50 consultations). 7 patients received cardiac surgery indication, 4 hybrid indication, 11 a contraindication, 4 a vascular surgery indication, 14 indication to further follow up and 10 no indications. In 34 cases the key factor for final decision was the radiological interpretation and in 10 the anesthetist evaluation. Conclusions: The preliminary results of our study confirm the need for multidisciplinary consultation to optimize decision-making progress in complex cases of aortic pathology. The impact of new technologies in medical practice should no longer be ignored and the complete discussion of particularly complex cases must necessarily also include professionals from a field other than healthcare.