EACTS/STS Guidelines for Diagnosing and Treating Acute and Chronic Syndromes of the Aortic Organ

Clinical practice guidelines summarize and assess all relevant evidence on a specific topic at the time of their creation, with the
goal of assisting physicians in selecting the best management strategies for individual patients with a given condition. These guidelines take into consideration the impact on patient outcomes as well as the risk–benefit ratio of different diagnostic or therapeutic
methods. Although these guidelines do not replace textbooks, they complement them and cover topics pertinent to contemporary
clinical practice. They serve as a vital tool to aid physicians in making decisions in their daily practice. However, in essence, although
these recommendations serve as a valuable resource to guide clinical practice, their application should always be tailored to the
needs of the individual patient. Each patient’s case is unique, presenting its own set of variables and circumstances. The guidelines
are a tool designed to support, but not supersede, the decisionmaking process of physicians, based on their knowledge, expertise
and understanding of their patients’ individual situations. Furthermore, these guidelines should not be interpreted as legally
binding documents. The legal responsibilities of healthcare professionals remain firmly grounded in applicable laws and regulations,
and the guidelines do not alter these obligations. The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) and The Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS) selected a task force composed of professionals working in the field of this particular pathological condition. In an effort to maintain transparency and uphold integrity, all experts involved in the development and review of these guidelines provided declarations of interest, detailing any possible conflicts. Any changes to these declarations during the writing process had to be immediately reported to the EACTS and the STS. The EACTS and the STS provided all financial support for this task force, with no involvement from the healthcare industry. Building upon this collaborative work, the clinical practice guidelines committees of the EACTS and the STS oversaw the creation, refinement, and approval of these new guidelines. A comprehensive review of the draft was carried out by an external panel of experts in the field. Their feedback informed the necessary revisions. After this thorough review and updating process, the final document received approval from all the experts on the task force and the governing bodies of the EACTS and the STS. This approval made it possible for the guidelines to be published simultaneously in the European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery and The Annals of Thoracic Surgery. These guidelines, endorsed by both the EACTS and STS, represent the official viewpoint on this topic. They show a commitment to ongoing improvement, as regular updates will be made to keep the guidelines relevant and useful in the constantly evolving field of clinical practice.