Close-up image of two cardiac surgeons in operating room using microscope glasses to operate The Ohio State Aortic Center combines the expertise of highly skilled physicians including vascular surgeons, cardiac surgeons and cardiologists to provide a tailored approach to each patient’s care. This includes conventional surgery and new, minimally invasive procedures. In addition to scheduled aortic procedures, the Aortic Center also provides treatment for emergent and life threatening aneurysms.

Aneurysm treatment

Aortic Aneurysm – The aorta is the largest artery in your body, running from your heart through the middle of your chest and abdominal area. An aortic aneurysm occurs when the walls of the aorta weaken or bulge.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm – A weakened area of the aorta in the abdomen that bulges or expands.
Femoral Artery Aneurysm – An aneurysm in the femoral artery, located in the thigh.
Popliteal Artery Aneurysm – An aneurysm in the artery behind the knee.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm – An aneurysm that occurs in the thoracic aorta, the upper part of the aorta. The thoracic aorta runs through the chest to the abdomen.
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms – An aneurysm that occurs in both parts of the aorta (thoracic and abdominal).
Visceral Artery Aneurysm – An aneurysm that occurs in the branches coming off the aorta which supplies blood to vital organs including the kidneys, liver, intestines and spleen.

Aneurysm treatment at the Ohio State Aortic Center

Your initial appointment will be with a cardiac surgeon, cardiologist or vascular surgeon followed by preoperative testing and imaging to determine the best surgical method, whether it’s minimally invasive or conventional surgery. Your surgery will be scheduled within a few weeks of testing. During an open surgical procedure, a prosthetic graft is implanted to repair the weakened aorta.

Why choose Ohio State for aortic treatment?

Our team of dedicated surgeons are board certified physicians uniquely skilled to treat any aortic condition. The Ohio State Ross Heart Hospital provides world class care, with each floor dedicated to a specific service, such as cardiac surgery or vascular medicine. We have dedicated heart and vascular nursing staffs and state of the art operating rooms specifically designed for multidisciplinary surgical procedures.

The Aortic Center participates in clinical trials, meaning we have access to the newest minimally invasive devices used to treat aneurysms. We have a unique ability to combine advancements in research and education to have a better understanding of aortic disease. Our multidisciplinary team approach allows collaboration amongst multiple medical specialties resulting in the best possible care for our patients.

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Cardiac surgery treats aortic aneurysm

Paul Colgan of Westerville, Ohio, was living with a congenital heart defect that would one day require him to have a valve replacement. But after collapsing in his kitchen, he learned that he also had an aortic aneurysm, which can be fatal and required open heart surgery. He was treated at The Ohio State University Heart and Vascular Center on Valentine's Day 2023. Paul attributes his now excellent health to his cardiologist, Dr. Saurabh Rajpal and his cardiac surgeon, Dr. John Bozinovski as well as his surgical and care teams at Ohio State’s Richard M. Ross Heart Hospital.

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Man with rare disease on road to recovery after lifesaving heart and vascular surgeries

Jared Kaiser, a 22-year-old with Marfan syndrome, faced life-threatening complications due to a tear in his aorta, a condition exacerbated by his rare connective tissue disorder and previous heart surgery. Cardiac and vascular surgery specialists worked collaboratively to stabilize Jared's condition, showcasing the collaborative expertise of Ohio State's Aortic Center in handling complex cases.