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ROOMTHECLASSROOMREJUVENATE YOUR LOOKAT THE ALTA VIEW SPECIALTY CENTERFigure 1.3D CT scan of aortic aneurysm.Figure 2a.Ascending aortic aneurysm.Figure 2b.Synthetic graft replacement ofascending aortic aneurysm.Figure 3.X-ray of TEVAR procedure.Photography courtesy of John R. Doty, MD... continued from pg 12If you are diagnosed with aortic disease, you need to addressany conditions that might contribute to the disease. Thatmeans carefully managing your blood pressure, controllingcardiovascular risk factors, and quitting smoking.Monitored follow-up is an important part of the managementof aortic disease. Regular CT scans allow aneurysms and otheraortic diseases to be tracked so that surgery can be performedbefore dissection or rupture occurs (Figure 1). If you haveaortic disease, you may also have other forms of heart orarterial disease; additional testing such as ultrasounds candetect these conditions and guide treatment. Depending onthe extent of the disease, surgery may be the best solution.If an aortic aneurysm is growing or is larger than about 5.0centimeters, your physician will recommend a surgical repair.The kind of repair will be based on whether the aortic diseaseis in the ascending or descending aorta.If the aneurysm is located in the ascending aorta (Figure 2a), asynthetic graft (Figure 2b) will be used to replace the damagedportion of the aorta. If the aortic valve is diseased, it will alsobe replaced. Repair of the ascending aorta requires standardopen-heart surgery.When the aortic disease affects the descending aorta, thesurgical repair can often be performed without entering thechest. This is known as thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair,or TEVAR. In this procedure, a stent-graft, a flexible graftplaced inside the aorta, seals off the diseased portion. Thestent-graft is “deployed” above and below the diseased portionof the aorta (Figure 3). For many patients, because TEVARis safer and less invasive, recovery is more rapid than withtraditional “open” operations.The TEVAR procedure can also be used with aorticdissection and aortic transection. The stent-graft stabilizesthe torn portion of the aorta and reduces the chance forrupture.No matter what kind of aortic disease you have, thephysicians at Intermountain Medical Center are dedicatedto its coordinated evaluation, treatment, and long-termmanagement. Using the most advanced techniquesand facilities, cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, andinterventional radiologists collaborate to provide optimalcare. Once you recover and are discharged from the hospital,all scheduled follow-up can be conveniently performedthrough Intermountain Healthcare facilities.To make an appointment with a cardiothoracic surgeonnear you, we invite you to visit the index at the back of thispublication or intermountainmedicalgroup.org.John R. Doty, MDCardiovascular & Thoracic SurgeryIntermountain Heart & LungSurgical Associates801.507.3600utahheartsurgery.orgWE UNDERSTAND THAT IT CAN BE BOTH EXCITING AND STRESSFUL to undergo a newcosmetic procedure, so our staff is trained to provide excellent comfort and support to our patients bothbefore and after their treatment.For those of you who are not familiar with our services, we would be happy to meet with you and decideon the best treatment plan. Please call Alta View Plastic Surgery Specialists to schedule a consult.Cosmetic Dermatology 801-501-6200Plastic and Oculoplastic Surgery 801-501-62509450 South 1300 East, Sandy, Utah 84094You may also visit altaviewplasticsurgery.org for more information.14 INTERMOUNTAIN MEDICAL GROUP IntermountainMedicalGroup.org