Aortic Center Referrals

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Ascending and descending thoracic aneurysms
• Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms
• Aortic arch disease
• Acute and chronic Type A and Type B aortic dissections
• Ruptured abdominal and thoracic aneurysms
  
  

• Medical Management – Medical treatment aims at slowing aneurysm growth and reducing the risk of rupture. Our medical management team coordinates with you, our surgeons and other specialists to help deliver the best treatment for each individual. Services include:
  • thorough evaluation
  • imaging exams to monitor aneurysm growth
  • medications to reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and heart rate
  • counseling to reduce modifiable risk factors
• VesselNavigator Technology – The Aortic Center at BIDMC helped develop the use of VesselNavigator CT fusion imaging technology, which provides a continuous 3-D "roadmap" to guide surgeons through a patient's blood vessel system during complex aortic procedures. This system enhances the accuracy of stent and graft replacement, reduces the need for contrast agent, and improves patient outcomes and clinical effectiveness.
• 100% Percutaneous Repair – Aortic Center surgeons perform 100% of our endovascular repairs percutaneously through a small puncture in the groin. Without a need for incisions, patients experience less pain, better mobility after surgery and faster discharge and recovery.
• Treatment for Complex Patient Anatomy – Our surgeons use modified or fenestrated grafts to match the needs of patients with complex anatomy. Our expertise developing and placing customized grafts enable us to treat aortic conditions that may be inoperable at other institutions. Our surgeons are also expert in technically challenging valve-sparing procedures to repair aneurysms at the aortic root.
• Endovascular Repairs – Our surgeons address endovascular leaks and other complications that may appear years after graft placement.
• Hybrid Operating Rooms – We utilize versatile facilities for both open and endovascular surgeries, including percutaneous and hybrid procedures. Our hybrid ORs' advanced imaging systems provide surgeons with an important advantage during complex procedures.

• Participant in the Vascular Quality Initiative, a multidisciplinary group of physicians, data managers and healthcare quality professionals focused on improving care through data collection and analysis
• National leader in outcomes research for aortic conditions

BIDMC Aortic Center is working to develop new technology to improve surgical treatment. This includes a device to enable surgeons to more easily view surgical images during a procedure, as well as angio-ultrasound that will allow surgeons to visualize leg vessels through external ultrasound.

BIDMC Aortic Center is currently participating in clinical trials to expand the clinical knowledge base on the use of the HeliFX Aortic Securement System and investigate the safety and effectiveness of the Relay PRO Thoracic Stent Grafts in subjects with aneurysms (TAA) and penetrating ulcers (PAU) within the descending thoracic aorta. The center is also evaluating the safety and efficacy of physician-modified endovascular grafts (PMEG) in the treatment of complex thoraco-abdominal aortic pathology.

Marc Schermerhorn, MD, Co-director of the Aortic Center and Chief of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, is a national leader in research to help guide patient selection for open and endovascular aortic repair procedures by comparing outcomes after surgery. He has also been a strong advocate for expanding AAA screening. Read more about Dr. Schermerhorn's research.