The definite treatment ofaortic disorders goes back to the resection
ofisthmic coarctation by Clarence Crafoord in 1944. It took another
third of a century until all portionsofthe aortabecameaccessible to
highly standardized surgery. This progress, delayed as it was in
relation to most other cardiovascular in terventions, depended on the
availability of safe protective methods for the heart and central
nervous system, of reliable vascular grafts and atraumatic instruments,
novel suture material and tissue adhesives. The development ofadvanced
surgical techniques went hand in hand with, and depended upon, the
emergence of proper diagnostic tools, starting with aortography
andultimately culminating inCT-scanning, transesophageal echo
cardiography and magnetic resonance imaging. These tools now allow for
the rational planning and conductofany aortic intervention which may be
surgical or, more recently, catheter-guided. Nienaber's and Fattori's
new book aptly is addressing both the diagnos tic procedure as well as
the treatment of aortic disease. The authors are well known experts in
the fields of advanced diagnostics of aortic pathology, both
spearheading a remarkably innovative group of aortic interventionalists
as well. On account of their expertise, their chapters are able to
answer any question rising in conjunction with these subjects."