Aneurysm and Aortic Disease Care at Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute

If you or a loved one have an aortic aneurysm or another condition affecting your aorta, it’s important to get timely treatment to prevent life-threatening complications – and it’s critical to get care from an expert team with deep experience.

At Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute’s Aortic Center, we lead the nation in treating patients with complex aortic disease. We’re recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a high-performing hospital for aortic valve surgery and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, placing us in the top 10% of hospitals in the country for these procedures.

With our team of renowned heart specialists by your side, you have the best chance of a good outcome.

Aortic conditions we treat

Our center treats diseases affecting any part of your aorta. We specialize in treating:

• Aneurysms of the aorta, including thoracic aortic aneurysms that occur in the part of the aorta that runs through your chest, and abdominal aortic aneurysms that affect the section of the aorta that runs through your midsection. Aortic aneurysms happen when a section of the aorta – your body’s largest blood vessel – weakens and bulges out. This weakened section is at risk of tearing (aortic dissection) or bursting (aortic rupture), which can lead to life-threatening complications, such as internal bleeding or blocking the blood flow to important parts of your body. Aortic dissection and aortic rupture are emergencies that need immediate, fast treatment. Finding and treating an aortic aneurysm early lowers your chances of an aortic tear or rupture.
• Genetic conditions that increase the risk for aortic disease. These include bicuspid aortic valve disease, Marfan Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and Turner Syndrome.
• Aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of your aorta. When blood gets behind the tear, it further separates the aorta’s inner and middle layers, increasing the chances of blocked blood flow, aortic rupture or other complications.
• Aortic rupture, a breaking or bursting of the aorta. This can cause extensive, life-threatening internal bleeding.
• Aortic coarctation, a narrowing of the aorta that causes your heart to work harder to pump blood through the narrowed section. Aortic coarctation is usually something you’re born with, and it can range from mild (slightly narrow) to severe (very narrow).

Aneurysm and aortic disease - what to expect from Sanger Heart & Vascular Institute

It’s critical to treat aortic disease early to prevent serious emergencies like aortic tears and ruptures. The unique nature of your condition will determine the best treatment plan for you. Our specialized aortic surgeons carefully evaluate your aneurysm or condition to determine when it’s best to move forward with treatment, and when it’s best to wait.

From diagnosis and monitoring to treatment and follow-up, we oversee every aspect of your care. And since many aortic diseases have a genetic component, our team includes a dedicated geneticist who helps you determine the role genes play in your disease and can test family members for their unique risks.

Aneurysm and aortic disease treatments

Our primary goal is to repair your aortic condition before it leads to emergency complications. Most of the time, we can do this with minimally invasive techniques that allow you to avoid open chest or abdominal surgery.