Treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm: Role of Earlier Intervention

For this article, we are asked to make a case for early surgery in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) disease. We are able to accumulate arguments in favor of early surgery. Specifically, (1) it is impossible to predict the onset of aortic dissection with complete accuracy. (2) Aortic dissection that is allowed to occur has high early mortality and impaired late survival. (3) Aortic surgery is very safe in the present era. (4) Living with a TAA, the inherent risk of aortic dissection has a high emotional burden. For these reasons, a case for early prophylactic surgery in TAA disease can fairly be made.