Interdisciplinary treatment of aortic diseases: the A-team

Due to improvements in emergency care and the progressive diagnostics applied, the number of patients with (mostly asymptomatic) confirmed pathological alterations of the aorta is continuously increasing. It is not uncommon for aortic aneurysms that extend over several segments to cross traditional borders between medical disciplines. This results in a trendsetting cross-sectoral care by an experienced interdisciplinary team of experts. This is the only way that optimal, often individually tailored and internationally comparable state of the art treatment concepts can be implemented for patients. Knowledge of the surgical and interventional gold standards as well as the most recent technical modifications and improvements in stents and prostheses are part of the fundamental knowledge of experts in the field of aortic diseases. This field is subject to an enormous development and continuous updating is necessary. As the treatment of patients with aortic diseases is complex and the demarcation between cardiac and vascular surgery as well as angiology is becoming less distinct, the treatment of these patients should be the subject of joint discussions in an interdisciplinary team. This article provides an overview on contemporary treatment algorithms, modern surgical and interventional treatment options, some established centers for aortic diseases in Germany as well as possibilities for training and advanced education to develop the specialists for aortic diseases needed in the future.