With augmented awareness, and improvements in radiological imaging, diseases of the thoracic aorta (such as aneurysms and dissections) are being diagnosed with increasing frequency.  The surgeons at Englewood Hospital are specialists in the diagnosis, medical and surgical treatments of all types of diseases affecting the thoracic aorta.

When surgery is indicated to repair an abnormal portion of the aorta, the location of the problem dictates the approach employed.  The first or ascending portion of the aorta is treated successfully with surgery through a conventional incision in the front of the chest (sternotomy).  Diseases of the third or descending portion of the aorta are traditionally treated with surgery through an incision in the side, with surgeons working between the ribs (thoracotomy).  The second or arch portion of the aorta is often addressed by a combination of the two aforementioned approaches.
Englewood’s surgical team’s vast experience with all of the above traditional surgical procedures produces excellent outcomes.

In addition, we are proud to offer our patients the latest minimally invasive approach to diseases of the thoracic aorta.  Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) is a recently FDA approved procedure allowing surgeons to repair thoracic aneurysms with small groin incisions alone.  With this technique, patients can be discharged from the hospital and return to their normal activites faster than with traditional approaches.  Our surgeons are experienced with the latest devices including the Gore Tag and the Medtronic Talent, and have a commitment to stay current as this new technology evolves.

Caption: Reformatted CAT Scan showing a patient’s aorta with multiple aneurysms.  Our surgeons use these images to plan the optimal operation for patients. (original image is here: http://www.englewoodcardiacsurgery.com/images/m2s.jpg )