Aortic Disease Treatment

Why choose Henry Ford for aortic aneurysm treatment?

We have a decades-long track record of providing exceptional care for all types of aortic diseases. Our specialists are known throughout Michigan, and the region, for their ability to treat challenging conditions using the latest techniques.

Highlights of our Aortic Disease Program include:

• High-volume center: High-volume aortic surgery centers have lower mortality rates and deliver better outcomes. We are one of the busiest aortic surgery programs in the U.S. Our patient volumes are in the top 1 percent nationally. This depth of experience is hard to find elsewhere.
• Aortic disease pioneers: More than 30 years ago, we were the first in Michigan to perform endovascular aneurysm repair. Our specialists continue to innovate by developing new minimally invasive techniques using the latest stent-grafts (implants to repair aneurysms and dissections).
• Care for complex conditions: We offer challenging procedures not widely available, such as thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair and re-operative aortic arch surgery. Our surgical capabilities are unmatched in the region. Physicians across Michigan refer their most complicated cases to our team.
• Latest research: We contribute to patient registries such as the International Registry of Acute Aortic Dissections and the Vascular Quality Initiative. Sharing our outcomes with other hospitals and research centers ensures we stay at the forefront of aortic disease treatment and continually improve the safety and quality of your care.

Personalized aortic care

We offer lifelong care to help you manage aortic diseases and prevent serious complications. Our team considers many factors when selecting the right treatment for your needs, including your age, lifestyle and overall health.

Lifestyle changes and medication for aortic disease

If you have a low-risk aortic disease, such as a small aneurysm, you may not need treatment right away. We do active surveillance, meaning we monitor your condition with periodic imaging scans to make sure it doesn’t worsen.

Your cardiologist may recommend lifestyle changes to slow the progression of aortic disease, such as:

• Eat foods low in cholesterol, saturated fat and sodium
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Quit smoking
• Stay physically active

Medications we prescribe for aortic diseases may include:

• Beta blockers to lower blood pressure
• Blood thinners to prevent clots and reduce the risk of stroke
• Statins to control high cholesterol

Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm surgery

Our surgical expertise includes both open and minimally invasive techniques. We discuss the risks and benefits of each type of procedure with you before making a recommendation. Whenever possible, we choose the least invasive approach so you can enjoy a faster, less painful recovery.

Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)

EVAR is a minimally invasive treatment for aortic aneurysms and some aortic dissections. We may recommend EVAR if you have an aneurysm that is growing quickly or at risk for rupturing (bursting).

We access your aorta by inserting a catheter (thin, flexible tube) through a small incision or needle puncture in your groin or chest. We place a stent-graft (mesh tube) to reinforce the weakened part of your aorta. EVAR offers an alternative to open surgery for high-risk patients.

Learn more about the types of endovascular aneurysm repair we offer.

Open aortic surgery

Open aortic surgery may be necessary if you have an aneurysm or dissection that is large or difficult to reach. We access your aorta through an incision in your chest or abdomen. Your surgeon removes the damaged part of your aorta and sews a synthetic surgical graft into place.

Our heart surgeons perform some of the most difficult open aortic surgeries available. They replace portions of the ascending aorta, aortic arch and thoracoabdominal aorta that have branches supplying blood to vital organs.

Learn more about our expertise in open aortic surgery.

Hybrid aortic repair

Our extensive surgical capabilities allow us to combine open and endovascular techniques in a single procedure, called hybrid repair. Heart surgeons, vascular surgeons and interventional radiologists work together to treat patients who may not be candidates for a fully open procedure. Hybrid procedures may also benefit patients with aortic disease and other heart problems, such as heart valve disease or coronary artery disease.

We perform these procedures in our state-of-the-art hybrid operating room (OR). This OR is equipped with the latest imaging technology, such as a CT scanner, that helps guide surgery in real time.