The aorta, also known as the main artery, will receive a special medical honor: in the future it will be 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 Hospital of Freiburg.
“This is a big step.” The new status was therefore set out in the guidelines for aortic surgical treatments from the European Society 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 diseases of the aorta to be treated either in cardiac surgery or in vascular surgery, depending on the type and location. “The new guidelines clearly recommend bundling the care of the aorta in a separate specialty, of course in close coordination with other departments,” explained Czerny, medical director of the Clinic for Cardiac and Vascular Surgery at the University Heart Center. This will improve the treatment of aortic tears and other serious illnesses.
The aorta is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. The large blood vessel – the largest artery in the body – extends from the left ventricle of the heart to vessels in the pelvic area. The aorta also has an important role in regulating blood pressure and blood flow speed, as the Freiburg University Hospital announced.
