fig1

Figure 1. (A-C) Cross-sectional views of ascending aorta. The red lines indicate the planes of right sternal borders. Axial CT scan revealed relative position of ascending aorta versus sternal border. Aortic valve exposure is less favorable from A to C. Frontal reconstruction of CT scan offers the estimation of longitudinal length; D: distance from the lower margin of second rib to the upper margin of fourth rib. Less than 4 cm would be less favorable for one-rib approach. CT: computed tomography