Abstract
Severe aortic calcification, also known as “porcelain aorta,” has a major impact on
patient outcome. Its presence also influences the choice of procedure depending on
where it is located. However, to date there is no clear definition on how this term
should be employed, being often used as an exclusion criteria for conventional surgery
where aortic clamping and/or cannulation is required.
We here suggest a classification of the “porcelain aorta” regarding its location and
how it influences particular therapeutic options. Therefore, making more clear what
procedures would represent an increased risk for the patient and which are more suitable
when discussed in a “Heart Team.”
Type I implies localization of a circumferential calcification in the ascending aorta.
Type IA represents the calcified aorta with no possibility of clamping and Type IB
represents the calcified aorta with possible clamping. Type II addresses the calcification
of the descending aorta including or not the aortic arch.
Keywords
aorta/aortic - cardiac - cardiology/cardiologist - heart valve surgery - heart valve
- transapical - percutaneous (TAVI) minimally invasive surgery (includes port access
minithoracotomy)
