Because it presents few or no symptoms, aortic disease is often overlooked until it becomes critical. Aortic disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States.

At Duke, our physicians have significant experience caring for a variety of aortic disorders. We focus on prevention and early diagnosis of aortic disease, minimally invasive endovascular therapies, medical therapy, and surgical treatment in a high volume center with surgeons sub-specializing in the treatment of thoracic aortic disease.

Conditions treated include:

• Aneurysms
• Pseudoaneurysms
• Aortic dissections
• Penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers
• Intramural hematomas
• Congenital abnormalities such as coarctation of the aorta
• Marfan syndrome
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome
• Bicuspid Aortic Valve syndrome
• Other connective tissue disorders

Our treatment for aneurysms of the thoracoabdominal aorta includes the innovative "hybrid" approach, which combines endovascular techniques with open surgery.

Learn about hybrid surgery

Center for Aortic Surgery

The Center for Aortic Surgery is a program of the Division of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery and the Vascular Surgery Section at Duke.

We combine state-of-the-art, comprehensive diagnostic and surgical expertise with a research program that seeks understanding of the underlying genetic and environmental factors that cause the aorta to fail.

It’s clearly shown in all fields of medicine that increased operative volume equals better results. We are a high-volume aortic center offering expertise in surgery of the entire thoracic aorta, including complex reconstructions of the aortic arch and the thoracoabdominal aorta.

We also offer expertise in thoracic and thoracoabdominal endografting.

Appointments

Make an appointment with a Duke heart specialist near you: 888-ASK-DUKE (888-275-3853)