Treatment options for conditions affecting the aorta
Aortic surgery describes a number of procedures to treat conditions that affect the aorta. The aorta is the body’s largest blood vessel, and it carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart as it’s pumped to the rest of your body. Conditions that affect the aorta can be very serious and even life-threatening without expert surgical care.
Our Complex Aortic Center brings together heart surgeons and vascular surgeons to work as a team on the challenging conditions that affect the aorta, such as aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection.
We’re able to perform complex surgeries that other centers can’t, including minimally invasive options. And because of our participation in clinical trials and research, our patients often have access to treatment options before they’re available in other locations.
What types of aortic surgery are available?
Some of the many aortic surgical procedures our doctors offer include:
Conditions
Coarctation of the Aorta
Coarctation of the aorta is a narrowing of the aorta, the body’s largest artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.Aortic Ulcers
An aortic ulcer can penetrate the wall of the aorta, decreasing blood flow and allowing blood to leak and cause internal bleeding.
Marfan Syndrome
Marfan syndrome is a chronic genetic condition that affects connective tissues and can cause serious heart complications.
Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS)
Median arcuate ligament syndrome is a compression of the celiac artery that reduces blood flow to the digestive system and causes severe abdominal pain.
Tests
Angiogram (Angiography)
An angiogram is a special X-ray taken as a special dye is injected through a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to detect blockages or aneurysms in blood vessels.Cardiac Catheterization
Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Thelma Dianne Aguilar, MSN NP
Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Cardiac Surgery & Cardiac Electrophysiology
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Brian Thomas Bethea, MD
General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery, Emergency General Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Danielle Bielecki, NP
Cardiac Surgery, Vascular Surgery & Nurse Practitioner Cardiac Surgery
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Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC BSN MSN
Vascular Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Albertina Elizabeth Dearing, PA
Vascular Surgery, Cardiac Surgery & General Surgery
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Ashlee Victoria Elms, PA
Cardiac Surgery
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Jonathan Robert Gower, MD
Cardiac Surgery & Cardiothoracic Surgery
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Rachel E Harrison, MD
Structural Heart Disease Cardiology, General Surgery, Thoracic Surgery & Cardiac Surgery
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Kelsey Ivusich, DNP NP
Critical Care Medicine, Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner & Cardiac Surgery
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Joanne Macaranas Johnson, AGACNP-BC MSN
Cardiac Surgery & Vascular Surgery
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Heyabe G Kidane, AGACNP-BC MSN
Cardiac Surgery & Critical Care Medicine
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Kathleen Ann McClanahan, ANPBC MSN
Cardiology, Hospital Medicine & Cardiac Surgery
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Cierra Catherine O'Neill, MPAS PA
Cardiac Surgery
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Dana Lurae Parker, MSN NP
Vascular Surgery, Endocrinology Diabetes and Metabolism, Cardiology, Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, Interventional Cardiology, Advanced Heart Failure And Transplant Cardiology, Cardiovascular Disease & Cardiac Surgery
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Jessica Smyth, MPAS PA
Cardiac Surgery
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Nina Sonin, AAS BSN MS NP
Cardiac Surgery & General Surgery
Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health Vascular Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center
106 Irving Street NW Physician Office Bldg. Suite 3150 North Tower Washington, DC 20010
202-877-0456
MedStar Health Vascular Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
3300 North Calvert Street First Floor Baltimore, MD 21218
410-261-8226
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
