Aortic Center

The aorta is the body’s largest and most important artery, supplying blood to the head, neck, arms, chest, and abdominal organs. At NYU Langone’s Aortic Center, our renowned experts bring together decades of expertise to keep your aorta healthy.

Our team, which includes cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, and genetic counselors, offers a complete approach to treating aortic disease. We provide genetic and family screening, medical therapy, specialized imaging surveillance, and the latest approaches to surgery. Our goal is to allow patients to return to a full, active life.

Conditions We Treat

Our doctors manage a full array of aortic conditions, including all types of the following:

• aortic aneurysm, which is a bulge in the aortic wall
• aortic dissection, or a life-threatening tear in the aortic wall, which can be caused by an aneurysm
• aortic valve disease in which the aortic valve, the gateway between the largest chamber of the heart and the aorta, stiffens or does not function properly; aortic valve disease includes stenosis, regurgitation, and bicuspid aortic valve disease

Other forms of aortic disease that we diagnose and treat include:

• aortic intramural hematomas, in which blood leaks through the innermost layer of the aortic wall and flows between the inner and outer walls
• penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers, which cause the formation of plaque that damages the aortic wall
• connective tissue diseases in which the aorta is sensitive to injury, such as Marfan syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Whatever your condition, we offer a personalized care plan that meets your health needs and goals.

Comprehensive Work-Up and Expedited Consultations

Providers at our Aortic Center offer you a thorough evaluation that includes dedicated aortic disease imaging and visits with our aortic cardiologist, aortic surgeon, and nurse practitioner. We discuss your care options and answer any questions you may have about the treatment process.

Aortic aneurysms are often found due to an unrelated procedure or imaging test for patients who do not have any symptoms. Being told you have an aneurysm and need to meet with a surgeon can be overwhelming, so we offer an expedited consultation. At our Aortic Center, we make sure patients are seen within two weeks of referral. We arrange all imaging before your consultation if needed.

Experts in Surgery

Our cardiothoracic surgeons offer a full array of innovative surgeries for the aorta. These include open procedures, minimally invasive procedures, and a combination of both, known as a hybrid procedure. We are experts at repairing all areas of the aorta to manage aneurysm and offer the latest surgical approaches to treating aortic valve disease. In addition, we offer care to people who were told elsewhere that surgery was not suitable for them.

Faster Recovery and Enhanced Rehabilitation

Patients we care for get home faster than those who have surgery at other hospitals. The majority of our patients are out of bed within four hours of open heart surgery. We offer enhanced and early physical therapy and cardiac rehabilitation to allow patients to recover faster.

Surveillance Monitoring

When you come to the Aortic Center, we partner with you to provide care after your initial treatment. We work with your cardiologist to build a customized long-term monitoring plan. In addition, we create a schedule for serial imaging scans to monitor your aorta. We also provide guidance on living an active and full lifestyle while also staying safe. Some medications can reduce the risk of a worsening aortic disease. Certain types of aortic dissection may also benefit from medical therapy.

Genetic Testing

Our doctors offer comprehensive evaluations that include genetic testing. Many people are unaware that they have a genetically inherited connective tissue disorder such as Marfan syndrome until they receive testing. If someone is confirmed to have one of these disorders, we adapt our strategy to provide the treatment that is most likely to heal the aneurysm with the least risk of adverse effects. We may also recommend genetic screening for immediate family members.

Leaders in Aneurysm Research

NYU Langone continues to lead the way in research to find the best treatment for aortic aneurysms, as well as the role growth factors, cellular mechanisms, genetics, and inflammation play in causing aneurysms and other artery diseases. We are also one of a handful of centers involved in several important clinical trials.