For the first time at Helios Hospital Wuppertal: Surgeons successfully implant aortic arch prosthesi
© Michael Mutzberg

For the first time at Helios Hospital Wuppertal: Surgeons successfully implant aortic arch prosthesi

31/10/2025 11:10

Vascular and cardiac surgeons at Helios University Hospital Wuppertal (HUKW) have inserted an aortic arch prosthesis in an interdisciplinary operation. It was the first operation of its kind at HUKW and in Wuppertal.

Frank Steinwachs had a stroke of luck: an aortic aneurysm was discovered in him by chance at the beginning of the year. This is a bulge in the aorta directly connected to the heart, which can be life-threatening if it ruptures and is not treated in time. "When you get a diagnosis like that, it's scary."

The vascular surgery team at HUKW led by Head Physician Dr. Konstantinos Meletiadis takes over. Emergency surgery was not necessary. "The patient's aneurysm was pronounced, but stable enough for us to plan the operation in advance," reports the vascular surgeon. The planning took place on an interdisciplinary basis: CT images were evaluated together with the colleagues from cardiac surgery and the type of operation was determined.

Until now, the only option for operating on an aortic aneurysm was a surgical procedure in which the rib cage is opened and the aneurysm surgically removed. The alternative treatment method, which has now been performed for the first time in Wuppertal, is even newer: the endovascular insertion of an aortic arch prosthesis. In this case, a catheter is inserted into the vessel, usually via the groin, and pushed through to the bulging area. There, the surgeons insert a prosthesis, which is inserted in pieces via the catheter, assembled within the vessel and connected to the healthy parts. "You can think of this as being similar to the "pipe-in-pipe technique" used by a craftsman, where the defective pipe remains in place and an intact pipe is inserted to seal the damage," reports Meletiadis.

The prosthesis is made individually for each patient. The basis for this is a computer tomographic image of the aortic arch, which has a U-shaped structure. This poses a particular challenge. "Every aortic arch looks different: Sometimes the side arms are more bent, the connecting piece longer or shorter, sometimes slightly twisted and side arms branch off from it at different points," reports Dr. Andras Hoffman, senior physician in cardiac surgery at the Helios Heart Center. This is precisely why it is so important that the individual prosthesis is precisely tailored to the patient's anatomy. "If we make a mistake when measuring, the prosthesis won't fit and can't be used elsewhere," says Konstantinos Meletiadis.

Endovascular treatment of an aortic aneurysm is the gentler method, but is not suitable for every patient. Dr. Meletiadis explains:

"We look at each patient individually and decide which treatment is suitable in a team with vascular and cardiac surgery. Thanks to the excellent interdisciplinary collaboration, we are always able to offer our patients the best treatment method for the entire length of the aorta. This makes us the only clinic in the region to offer all modern open and minimally invasive treatments for the entire aorta."

Frank Steinwachs is also satisfied: he can be discharged home just a few days after the procedure. "I would like to thank the medical and nursing team. Without them, I might not be sitting here today."

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