Aortic Valve-Preserving Aneurysm Repair

About This Procedure

This type of procedure is for patients with aortic root aneurysms and aortic insufficiency, but whose aortic valve leaflets (the flaps of tissue that hang from the wall of the aortic root and close in the middle of the tube to prevent blood from leaking backward) are still structurally normal.

Surgeons re-implant the aortic valve and the coronary arteries into the graft (an artificial tube made of a special fabric called Dacron ® or Gore-Tex ®) that is used to repair the aneurysm. Patients who have this procedure can avoid the long-term blood thinners that would be necessary with some artificial valves.

Referrals

Patient referrals can be made to the Thoracic Aortic Center at 617-724-4747 or directly to any of the participating physicians. Coverage is available 24 hours per day, seven days per week to receive emergency referrals from any regional physician or emergency department if an acute syndrome related to the thoracic aorta is suspected. A phone call to the Thoracic Aortic Center will set in motion the assembly of a team for emergency evaluation and management of the patient.

Outpatient referrals of patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms will result in multidisciplinary evaluation by appropriate physicians from cardiology, vascular radiology, cardiac and vascular surgery. Patients can be seen by multiple physicians on the same day, and the appointments are made with a single phone call to the Thoracic Aortic Center number.

Evaluation will result in a recommendation for either intervention or follow-up. Follow-up for the aortic problem will be arranged at the Center. General cardiac and pulmonary evaluation may also be done.