Complex Aortic Surgery Program
The Penn Cardiac Care Complex Aortic Surgery
Program, founded in 1993 at the Hospital of the
University of Pennsylvania, was the first in
the region fully dedicated to the timely recognition,
treatment and long-term management of patients
with severe aortic disease.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body and
plays a critical role in the circulation of blood
flow, transporting oxygen-rich blood from the
left ventricle of the heart to the rest of the
body. To view a picture of the aorta, please visit
the cardiovascular section of our body
guide.
Aortic disease can result from various causes,
including but not limited to:
In certain cases, aortic disease may not present
any symptoms and if undetected, can be fatal.
Early detection of severe aortic disease can help
reduce the risk of rupture, and/or dissection
extension, as well as the accompanying threat
of neurological problems such as stroke.
For more information about aortic disease, please
visit our health
encyclopedia.
The Penn Cardiac Care Complex Aortic
Team
Our team consists of cardiovascular
surgeons, anesthesiologists, neurologists, nurse
practitioners and other specialists, who are specially-trained
to treat patients with:
-
- ascending aortic and aortic arch aneurysm
- aortic root reconstruction, including homograft
Ross procedures, as well as thoracic and thoracoabdominal
aortic reconstruction
We are experienced in evaluating and providing
care for patients who:
- have just had surgery
- are not ready for surgery
- are not eligible for surgery
In addition, we utilize the latest techniques
during aortic reconstruction for dissection with
positive results, including reduced mortality
and incidence of neurological problems such as
stroke that can accompany this condition. The
success of our multidisciplinary approach to patient
care has enabled us to become one of the nation's
leaders in complex aortic surgery.
Our team continues to be involved in several
FDA studies of new devices for the treatment of
aortic disease, such as:
- Cryolife glue for acute Type A aortic dissection
trials
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm stent graft trials
(Penn is the lead national site for this study,
which is being conducted in collaboration with
Penn vascular surgeons. The investigational
study utilizes a stent graft device, which
allows surgeons to treat select patients with
aortic aneurysms without ever having to open
the their chest.)
Penn is also the lead national site for a study
evaluating the effectiveness of a tissue valve.
This valve enables patients to avoid having to
take blood-thinning medications for the life of
the valve.
Our Program is offered at the following hospitals:
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania
- Penn Presbyterian Medical Center
- Pennsylvania Hospital
About Our Team
Surgeons
Joseph
E, Bavaria, MD
Alberto
Pochettino, MD
Anesthesiologists
John
Augustides, MD
Albert
Cheung, MD
Thomas
F. Floyd, MD
Neurologist
Michael
McGarvey, MD
Nurse Practitioners
Kelly Brown, RN, BSN
Virgina Buckley, MSN, CRNP
Denise Leanne Campbell, RN, BSN
William G. Moser, RN, BSN
We also work with cardiologists and interventional
radiologists to ensure a comprehensive care plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel enlarges
to twice its normal size.
What is the difference between aortic
aneurysms and aortic dissections?
An aortic aneurysm is an enlargement of the aorta
to twice its normal size (similar to an out pouching
or ballooning out of the aortic wall.) An aortic
dissection is a longitudinal tear of the aortic
wall under a stressful situation. An aortic
aneurysm develops over a period of time. An aortic
dissection happens spontaneously.
What can be done to prevent an aneurysm?
Blood pressure control, no smoking and a healthy
diet can help. Unfortunately, you cannot change
your family history.
Are aneurysms past down from generation
to generation?
There is a genetic component to aortic aneurysm
and dissections. There is an increased risk
if a family member has had a prior aneurysm, especially
if the aneurysm is in a male relative.
What is the risk of a bicuspid aortic
valve being passed onto my children?
A 3% chance exists that a bicuspid aortic valve
will be passed onto an offspring; 1 in 200 people
are born with a bicuspid aortic valve.
If a patient has a known aortic aneurysm
or a bicuspid aortic valve, should other family
members be imaged with either an echocardiogram
or CT Scan as a precaution.
When a family history of a bicuspid aortic valve
or an aortic aneurysm exists, it is recommended
that family members over the age of 18 years obtain
a surveillance echocardiogram or CT scan. If
a child is found to have a murmur, then the child
should have an echocardiogram.
What is the major cause of aortic aneurysms?
There are three major causes of aortic aneurysm.
They are smoking, hypertension, and a family history.
If a person under the age of 40 years requires
valvular surgery and is not interested in taking
long-term blood thinning medication, what options
are available other than a mechanical valve?
There are new, longstanding biological alternatives
now available, which only require aspirin therapy.
While some of these valves are considered investigational,
they are believed to last for about 15-20 years.
What is the major cause of an aortic dissection?
There are several conditions, which contribute
to aortic dissections. In patients who experience
a dissection, 15 percent have Marfan Syndrome,
15 percent have a bicuspid aortic valve, and 70
percent have hypertension. The risk of dissection
in a patient with Marfan Syndrome is 20 times
higher then in a patient with a bicuspid aortic
valve, which is 15 percent higher then the average
population.
What is the typical recovery for an aortic
procedure?
This is a broad question. Every procedure
is different and therefore the recovery time is
different. The average hospital stay for a patient
undergoing aortic surgery is approximately 5-7
days. The average recovery time for a thoracoabdominal
procedure with no complications is approximately
two weeks.
What advancements are available at Penn?
Penn is also the lead national site for several
studies. One of them, in which the Complex Aortic
Team is working in collaboration with the vascular
surgeons at Penn, involves the use of a stent
graft (larger in size, but similar to those used
to prevent blocked arteries) to treat aortic aneurysms.
While not all patients are candidates for this
procedure, it is the latest advancement and enables
surgeons to treat patients without having to open
their chest.
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