Aortic Disease Program
The Aortic Disease Program at University of Utah Health's Heart & Vascular Services has an expert clinical team committed to providing innovative care for patients of all ages with aortic disease.
Our multidisciplinary team includes specialty-trained and board-certified cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists, anesthesiologists, and critical care specialists in addition to nurses, physical and occupational therapists, genetic counselors, and research coordinators.
Our comprehensive approach to aortic disease provides leading-edge medical and surgical care for patients throughout the Mountain West.
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COVID-19 Information
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Virtual Visits
Our specialists are available to meet virtually with you. Feel free to make an appointment with us.
Providing State of the Art Care
Diseases We Treat
We provide comprehensive state of the art evaluation and treatment for the following:
- Aortic Aneurysms
- Ascending & Aortic Arch Aneurysms
- Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
- Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms, also Thoracoabdominal Aneurysms
- Aortic Dissections, Type A & B (acute & chronic)
- Traumatic Aortic Injury
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Insufficiency
- Aortic Atherosclerotic Disease
- Genetic Disorders Affecting the Aorta, also Marfan Syndrome
Find an Aortic Disease Surgeon
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
Treating aortic diseases can be challenging, but living with aortic disease doesn't have to get in the way of your life. Doctors at University of Utah Health's Aortic Disease Program are specially trained to diagnose and manage aortic all types of aortic disease.
Our specialists provide high-quality, coordinated care. This means that the services you need are coordinated across different specialists and procedures—giving you the best care from the beginning to the end of your treatment.
Personalized Treatment for Aortic Disease
We know that many patients need personalized treatment options that meet their unique medical needs. We offer a range of treatment options for diseases affecting all areas of the aorta—from the aortic valve to the abdominal aorta. Our treatment options include:
- traditional open surgical repair options,
- minimally invasive surgical repair, and
- endovascular procedures.
Emergency Care & Transfer Services
We provide 24/7 transfer services and emergency care for patients suffering from acute aortic syndrome. These include the following:
- Symptomatic aortic aneurysms in any location
- Aortic rupture
- Acute aortic dissection and complications related to aortic dissection
- Intramural aortic hematoma
- Penetrating aortic ulcer
- Traumatic aortic injury
- Infections of the aorta or aortic prostheses
- Acute aortic occlusion
Schedule a Consultation
Need to see an aortic specialist? First thing to do is get a referral from your primary care doctor. Once you have referral and have made an appointment, you can prepare for your appointment by:
- Letting your insurance know you have an appointment and reviewing your insurance coverage.
- Having a copy of your medical history ready.
Meet Our Patients
Cardiac Patient Travels More Than 900 Miles for Aortic Aneurysm Repair
When 71-year-old Utah native Tom Stover had an aortic aneurysm, he had emergency surgery in Washington state, where he lives. After recovering from surgery, Stover received a clean bill of health. However, he knew something still wasn't right. His doctors soon discovered that he had another aneurysm in his aortic wall.
Aortic Dissection Repair Gives Utah Woman Second Chance at Life
When Allie Cochran began experiencing severe chest and abdominal pain, her husband took her to a nearby hospital in Orem. Doctors discovered Cochran had suffered an acute aortic dissection, likely related to a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Cochran was quickly transferred to University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City for emergency surgery.
Quick Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection Gives Wyoming Man a New Lease on Life
Just hours earlier, Matthew York had been a happy groom vowing to honor his new wife Evelyn. By 5 am of the following morning, he was reaching out to her as she slept by his side, pleading that she save his life.
Rare Aneurysm Cured With Cutting-Edge Surgery
Marcia Waggoner's primary care doctor had never seen anything like it. The 76-year-old from St. George tried showing the CT scan to her son, a radiology tech, who passed it along to the team of physicians he works with.
Clinical Trials for Aortic Disease
TREO Clinical Study
The purpose of this research is to help determine the long-term performance of the TREO Abdominal Stent-Graft as a treatment for patients with AAA.
