Aortic Conditions

If you or a loved one has a condition affecting the aorta, early diagnosis and treatment are critical to help avoid life-threatening complications. Aortic disease happens when the aorta enlarges and walls weaken, bulge, split, burst or become blocked. 

Aortic conditions we treat include:

• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Traumatic aortic transection (rupture)
• Aortic infection
• Aortic ulceration
• Aortic intramural hematoma
• Coarctation of the aorta (CoA)
• Embolizing (shaggy) aorta
• Bicuspid aortic disease
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS)
• Marfan syndrome
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS)
• Giant cell arteritis
• Inflammatory aortic disease (aortitis)

Nebraska Medicine offers a growing list of procedures for aortic conditions performed in very few places in the U.S. You’ll receive personalized aortic care that starts with diagnosis and prevention and continues through your treatment, postsurgical care and beyond.

What to expect

Because aortic disease does not always cause symptoms, we understand that a diagnosis is often a surprise. Nebraska Medicine doctors take the time to help you understand your diagnosis, treatment options and what you can expect from your care.

At your first appointment, you’ll receive a comprehensive evaluation, which may include additional diagnostic or genetic testing. Our aortic care experts work closely with specialists throughout Nebraska Medicine to determine the best course of treatment for you. This multidisciplinary team may include cardiologists, cardiothoracic and vascular surgeons, cardiac anesthesiologists, specially trained nursing teams and members of our cardiac rehabilitation program.

Treatment options for aortic conditions could include:

• Medication
• Surgical – open procedure to replace the abnormal part of the aorta.
• Endovascular – performed with a catheter advanced through a blood vessel.
• Hybrid – combination of surgical and endovascular treatment for complex aortic disease.
• Lifestyle changes

We will work with you to create a personalized treatment plan that meets your needs and preserves your quality of life. Not all patients require a surgical procedure. Your provider may recommend medication or lifestyle changes such as blood pressure monitoring, smoking cessation and diet and exercise changes to manage your condition.

Why you should choose Nebraska Medicine

Our partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center gives us access to breakthrough clinical trials and innovative procedures for patients with aortic disease. We’re not just treating patients – we’re also conducting studies for the next generation of procedures related to keeping your heart healthy.

Our physicians are researchers and leaders in their field, pioneering the most current techniques to provide the best possible outcomes. Nebraska Medicine is one of only a few health systems in the U.S. to offer highly specialized, minimally invasive surgery for aortic problems. New treatments such as the thoracic branch graft are less invasive and have a lower risk of complication and faster recovery.