Right Thoracotomy Minimally Invasive AVR: Use of Preoperative CT Scan to Plan Incision

Background/Introduction Aortic valve surgery through a right anterior mini-thoracotomy (MT) has demonstrated excellent short-term and long-term-term results, becoming a feasible alternative to the sternotomy approach. Widespread use is limited by unpredictable exposure of the aortic valve. Current use of CT measurements of the aorta to the sternum is not reliably predictive of exposure and frequently excludes patients from a minimally invasive approach.