Center for Thoracic Aortic Disease

At HealthPark Medical Center, our cardiothoracic surgeons have teamed up with local vascular surgeons to formalize a collaborative management and treatment program for thoracic aortic diseases, including aneurysms and dissections, from elective to surgical emergencies. Our program addresses thoracic aortic diseases at all stages offering solutions for patients to include both medical and surgical treatments. Determination of the best option is based on the severity of the aortic disease and in-depth evaluation with the patient’s physician team. 

Code Dissection

Rapid Response • Immediate Transfer • Excellent Clinical Results 

Type A dissections carry a fatality rate of ~1% per hour if untreated. Up to 25% of patients present with some form of malperfusion. 

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) 

TEVAR is a minimally invasive procedure that repairs the thoracic aorta via an incision in the groin. The implanted device repairs the diseased aorta, allowing blood to flow properly to the rest of the body. TEVAR allows surgeons to repair a patient’s aorta without a major incision or sternotomy. 

Open Aorta Repair or Replacement 

The current standard surgical treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is the open-chest approach in order to replace the weakened portion of the aorta with a graft. Many patients with a thoracic aortic aneurysm have heart valve disease which may be replaced during the same operation.