Aortic Surgery at Mayo Clinic

Specialized surgical treatment for serious diseases of the aorta, including aortic aneurysms, aortic dissection and other complex aortic conditions. Treatment is carefully planned according to the location and severity of the disease and the patient's overall health.

 Price 

Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of aortic surgery varies depending on the type and location of the aortic condition, surgical complexity, diagnostic imaging, procedure required, hospital stay, intensive care, specialist services and the patient's overall medical condition. A personalized treatment estimate is therefore required.

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Complete Description

Aortic Surgery at Mayo Clinic

Aortic Surgery at Mayo Clinic – Rochester is specialized surgical care for patients with significant diseases affecting the aorta.

The aorta is the body's largest artery. It carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Diseases affecting the aorta can cause the vessel wall to weaken, enlarge, tear or become structurally abnormal.

Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include monitoring, medication, endovascular treatment or open surgical repair.

When surgery is necessary, the treatment approach is selected according to the location, size, severity and characteristics of the aortic disease.

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What Is Aortic Surgery?

Aortic surgery is performed to repair or replace a diseased or damaged portion of the aorta.

Depending on the condition, surgery may involve:

• Repairing a weakened section of the aorta

• Replacing part of the aorta with a graft

• Treating an aortic aneurysm

• Repairing selected aortic dissections

• Treating complex aortic disease

• Repairing the aortic root

• Treating disease involving the aortic arch

• Repairing or replacing portions of the thoracic or abdominal aorta

The exact procedure depends on the patient's diagnosis and anatomy.

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Conditions That May Require Aortic Surgery

Aortic surgery may be considered for selected patients with:

• Aortic aneurysm

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

• Aortic dissection

• Aortic rupture

• Aortic root disease

• Aortic arch disease

• Certain congenital abnormalities of the aorta

• Aortic disease associated with connective-tissue disorders

• Complex aortic disease involving nearby cardiovascular structures

Not every aortic condition requires surgery. Some patients may be managed with medication and regular imaging surveillance.

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Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the aorta becomes enlarged or weakened.

Aneurysms can develop in different sections of the aorta, including:

• Ascending aorta

• Aortic arch

• Descending thoracic aorta

• Abdominal aorta

The decision to treat an aneurysm depends on several factors, including its size, location, growth rate, symptoms and the patient's individual risk factors.

Treatment may include surveillance, medication, endovascular repair or open surgery.

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Aortic Dissection

An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aortic wall, allowing blood to enter between the layers of the vessel wall.

Some forms of aortic dissection require urgent surgical treatment.

Treatment decisions depend on:

• Location of the dissection

• Extent of the affected aorta

• Symptoms

• Risk of rupture or other complications

• Blood pressure

• Overall medical condition

Some dissections may initially be managed with intensive medical treatment and close monitoring, while others require immediate intervention.

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Thoracic Aortic Surgery

Thoracic aortic surgery treats diseases affecting the portion of the aorta located inside the chest.

It may be considered for conditions such as:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm

• Ascending aortic aneurysm

• Aortic arch aneurysm

• Descending thoracic aortic disease

• Selected aortic dissections

The appropriate procedure depends on the location and characteristics of the disease.

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Abdominal Aortic Surgery

Abdominal aortic surgery addresses disease affecting the abdominal portion of the aorta.

A common condition is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Depending on the patient's anatomy and medical condition, treatment may include:

• Open surgical repair

• Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)

• Imaging surveillance

• Medical management

The appropriate approach is determined after detailed vascular and imaging evaluation.

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Aortic Root Surgery

The aortic root is the section of the aorta connected to the heart and aortic valve.

Some patients with aortic root disease may require specialized surgery to repair or replace the affected portion.

Aortic root surgery may sometimes be combined with treatment of the aortic valve or other cardiac structures when medically appropriate.

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Valve-Sparing Aortic Root Surgery

Selected patients with aortic root disease may be candidates for a valve-sparing aortic root procedure.

The goal is to repair or replace the diseased aortic root while preserving the patient's own aortic valve when the valve is suitable for preservation.

Whether valve-sparing surgery is appropriate depends on:

• Aortic root anatomy

• Aortic valve condition

• Severity of disease

• Presence of valve leakage

• Overall cardiovascular health

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Open Aortic Repair

Open aortic repair involves surgically accessing the affected portion of the aorta.

The diseased section may be repaired or replaced using a vascular graft.

Open repair may be recommended for certain complex conditions where endovascular treatment is not appropriate or may not provide the desired result.

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Endovascular Aortic Repair

Selected patients may be treated using an endovascular approach.

During endovascular treatment, a catheter is introduced through a blood vessel and a specially designed stent-graft may be positioned inside the aorta.

Common procedures include:

• EVAR — Endovascular Aneurysm Repair

• TEVAR — Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair

Suitability depends on the patient's anatomy, location of disease, blood vessels and overall medical condition.

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Diagnostic Evaluation Before Aortic Surgery

Detailed cardiovascular imaging is an important part of treatment planning.

Evaluation may include:

• CT angiography

• Magnetic resonance angiography

• Echocardiography

• Transesophageal echocardiography

• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG)

• Chest imaging

• Cardiac catheterization when indicated

• Blood tests

• Kidney function testing

• Cardiovascular risk assessment

Not every patient requires every test.

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CT Angiography

CT angiography provides detailed images of the aorta and surrounding blood vessels.

It can help specialists evaluate:

• Aortic diameter

• Aneurysm location

• Aortic wall abnormalities

• Extent of aortic disease

• Aortic dissection

• Branch blood vessels

• Anatomy relevant to surgery or endovascular treatment

Imaging findings help the medical team select an appropriate treatment approach.

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Who May Need Aortic Surgery?

Patients may be evaluated for aortic surgery when they have:

• A significant or enlarging aortic aneurysm

• Symptomatic aortic disease

• Aortic dissection requiring surgical treatment

• Aortic rupture

• High-risk structural changes

• Certain inherited or connective-tissue-related aortic disorders

• Complex aortic disease

• Aortic root disease

• Aortic disease involving the heart or major blood vessels

The final treatment decision is based on a comprehensive medical assessment.

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Symptoms of Aortic Disease

Some aortic conditions do not cause symptoms and may be discovered during imaging performed for another medical reason.

When symptoms occur, they may include:

• Chest pain

• Back pain

• Abdominal pain

• Shortness of breath

• Dizziness

• Fainting

• Weakness

• Pressure or discomfort in the chest or abdomen

Sudden severe chest or back pain can be a medical emergency and requires immediate emergency medical attention.

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Benefits of Appropriate Aortic Treatment

When medically indicated, aortic treatment may:

• Repair a weakened section of the aorta

• Replace a severely damaged section

• Reduce risks associated with certain aneurysms

• Treat selected aortic dissections

• Restore structural integrity of the aorta

• Address symptoms caused by aortic disease

• Protect nearby cardiovascular structures

Individual outcomes vary according to the diagnosis, treatment approach and overall health.

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Preparation Before Aortic Surgery

Preparation may include:

• Detailed cardiovascular evaluation

• CT or MRI imaging

• Echocardiography

• Blood testing

• Medication review

• Anesthesia assessment

• Kidney and liver function evaluation

• Review of previous surgeries

• Assessment of other medical conditions

Patients should provide their medical team with complete information about medications, allergies and previous cardiovascular procedures.

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Recovery After Aortic Surgery

Recovery depends on the type and complexity of the procedure.

Hospital care may include:

• Intensive cardiovascular monitoring

• Blood-pressure management

• Heart rhythm monitoring

• Pain management

• Medication management

• Wound care

• Respiratory support when required

• Gradual physical activity

• Follow-up imaging

Complex open aortic procedures may require a longer recovery period than selected endovascular procedures.

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Long-Term Follow-Up

Patients treated for aortic disease may require lifelong or long-term monitoring.

Follow-up may include:

• CT or MRI imaging

• Blood-pressure monitoring

• Cardiovascular examinations

• Medication management

• Monitoring of graft function

• Monitoring of stent-grafts when applicable

• Assessment of other portions of the aorta

The frequency of follow-up depends on the patient's condition and treatment.

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International Patients

International patients seeking aortic surgery may need to provide previous medical records and imaging for review.

Useful documents may include:

• CT angiography reports

• MRI/MRA reports

• Echocardiogram results

• ECG/EKG results

• Previous surgical reports

• Cardiology reports

• Vascular surgery reports

• Laboratory results

• Current medication list

Reviewing previous investigations can help specialists understand the patient's condition and determine the appropriate evaluation and treatment pathway.

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Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Aortic Care?

Complex aortic conditions may require expertise from multiple areas of cardiovascular medicine.

Mayo Clinic's multidisciplinary cardiovascular care can involve specialists in:

• Cardiovascular medicine

• Cardiovascular surgery

• Aortic surgery

• Cardiac imaging

• Interventional cardiology

• Vascular medicine

• Anesthesiology

• Critical care

This coordinated approach can help patients with complex aortic disease receive individualized evaluation and treatment planning.

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Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

Aortic surgery does not have one fixed price because treatment complexity can vary significantly between patients.

The overall cost may depend on:

• Initial consultation

• Diagnostic imaging

• CT or MRI

• Laboratory testing

• Specialist consultations

• Open or endovascular surgery

• Surgical graft or stent-graft

• Anesthesia

• Intensive care

• Hospitalization

• Medications

• Postoperative monitoring

• Follow-up imaging

• Rehabilitation

• Other medically necessary services

A personalized treatment estimate should therefore be requested after medical evaluation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. What conditions can aortic surgery treat?

Aortic surgery may be used for selected patients with aortic aneurysms, aortic dissections, rupture and other serious structural diseases affecting the aorta.

2. Does every aortic aneurysm require surgery?

No. Some aneurysms can be monitored with regular imaging and managed through medication and cardiovascular risk reduction. Intervention may be recommended when the risk associated with the aneurysm becomes significant.

3. What is the difference between open aortic surgery and endovascular repair?

Open surgery involves directly accessing and repairing or replacing the diseased section of the aorta. Endovascular repair uses catheters and a stent-graft placed inside the blood vessel to treat selected aortic conditions.

4. How is aortic disease diagnosed?

Aortic disease may be evaluated using CT angiography, MRI/MRA, echocardiography and other cardiovascular tests depending on the suspected condition.

5. How much does aortic surgery cost at Mayo Clinic?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the type and complexity of the aortic condition, diagnostic testing, treatment approach, hospitalization and other required medical services.

Product Details

Product Name: Aortic Surgery

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Cardiology & Heart Surgery

Service Type: Cardiovascular Surgery

Dashboard Price: 0

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA

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