Aorta surgery

Aorta surgery is a procedure to repair or replace damaged sections of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. It’s necessary when conditions like aneurysms, dissections, or ulcers affect the aorta, which can lead to life-threatening complications. Surgeons may use open surgery or hybrid surgery, a combination of open and catheter-based techniques, to repair the damaged aorta, often replacing it with a synthetic graft.

At Penn Medicine’s Aorta Center, our cardiac and vascular surgeons are leaders in complex aorta surgeries. With vast experience in these technically demanding procedures, our surgeons routinely and successfully treat even the most serious conditions. People benefit from our advanced techniques, collaborative team approach, and state-of-the-art facilities, including our hybrid operating room for combined procedures.

You may be a candidate for aorta surgery if you have one of the following conditions, or other serious aortic disease:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic arch syndrome
• Aortic dissection
• Aortic ulcer
• Aortic valve stenosis
• Aortic regurgitation
• Coarctation of the aorta

Standard open-chest surgery may be the recommended approach for those with complex or challenging conditions.

Some people with aortic disease have medical conditions that put them at risk for complications with traditional open-chest aorta surgery or make them ineligible for thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). If you have a chronic condition like heart disease, advanced aortic disease, or previous aortic surgery, you may be a candidate for hybrid aorta surgery.

Your surgeons will assess your individual risk factors and health history to determine the most suitable treatment plan for you.

Aorta surgery recovery time varies depending on the individual and the complexity of the surgery. Your Penn Medicine care team will review specific post-surgery recovery guidelines with you.

After aorta surgery, most people stay in the hospital for up to a week for close monitoring. Recovery often involves participation in cardiac rehabilitation, where specialists guide you through exercise, nutrition, and education to speed healing.

For hybrid aorta surgery, benefits include shorter surgery times, reduced anesthesia, and faster recovery compared to traditional open-chest surgeries. Most people can resume normal activities within six to eight weeks, with regular follow-up appointments to monitor progress.

As with any major surgery, aorta surgery carries some risks. These can include bleeding, infection, blood clots, breathing problems, heart attack, or stroke. Kidney complications and the potential need for a pacemaker are also possible. In some cases, late-onset complications like aortic insufficiency or the need for additional surgery may arise. However, these risks are relatively uncommon, and, with proper care and follow-up, most people experience successful outcomes.

Penn Medicine’s experienced cardiology teams are committed to delivering more options, more personalized care, and, with multiple locations, more convenient care. Our researchers are tirelessly pursuing new advances in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of heart and vascular conditions.

Our cardiac and vascular surgeons are internationally recognized for their care of complex aortic disease. We treat more people with aortic disease than any other hospital in the southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey regions. Our outcomes are better than the national benchmarks, even though many of the people we treat have complex aortic disease that can’t be managed elsewhere. When you need advanced heart care, we’re here for you.