Aortic Root and Aortic Valve Surgery

Aortic Root Surgery Treats Aortic Aneurysm

The main blood vessel that transports oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body is your aorta. There are several conditions that can cause the aorta to become aneurysmal or dilate, dissect or tear. The most common conditions that can result in an aortic aneurysm and possibly aortic dissection are:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Genetic conditions such as Marfan syndrome
• Certain connective tissue disorders such as Ehler-Danlos disorder, scleroderma, polycystic kidney disease and Turner syndrome

Wellstar’s cardiovascular surgeons perform aortic root surgery to prevent an aortic aneurysm from rupturing or tearing (also known as dissection). And, the surgery can prevent stretching of the adjacent aortic valve caused by an aortic aneurysm. For those patients who suffer an emerging aortic rupture, our team is highly skilled and experienced in performing aortic surgery.

Types of aortic root surgeries

Depending on the unique personal and medical history of the person undergoing the procedure, there are two types of aortic repair or replacement surgeries to consider:

• Aortic valve and root replacement. During this procedure, a Wellstar surgeon removes a section of the aorta and the connected aortic valve. Then, they replace the affected section of the aorta with an artificial tube — or graft. The aortic valve gets replaced with a new mechanical or biological valve. People with mechanical valves will need to take blood-thinning medications for life to prevent the possibility of blood clots. These medications are also known as anticoagulants.
• Valve-sparing aortic root repair. During this procedure, the cardiac surgeon will replace the section of the aorta affected by the aneurysm with a graft. In this case, the aortic valve is preserved.

Our cardiovascular surgeons and heart care team members are here to help people with aortic aneurysms understand their options and receive the right treatment.

Cardiac rehabilitation after surgery

To assist in regaining your strength after surgery, your cardiac surgeon may recommend Cardiac Rehab at one of Wellstar’s many outpatient locations. The Cardiac Rehab team can work with you to develop an exercise regimen, monitor you during your exercise sessions and provide support and education to help you live a healthier life.


Learn more about Wellstar’s Comprehensive Aortic Program.