Heart and Vascular Care
The cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons at Main Line Health work together to improve the detection and prevention of heart disease with the latest treatment options.
Aortic Wellness Center
Nationally recognized experts in complex aortic disease treatment
The term "aortic wellness" has gained increased attention at leading heart programs across the nation. This is due largely to the growing complexity of aortic problems and the rise in the number of people found to have thoracic aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections.
The Lankenau Heart Institute, located just minutes from Philadelphia, is one of only several hospitals in the Mid-Atlantic region offering a specialized wellness program that takes a team approach to the management and treatment of complex aortic disease.
Your heart history—from cardiovascular genetic testing to aortic screening and monitoring
Family history and genetics are the most important indicators for increased risk of aortic disease. The Aortic Wellness Center team uses diagnostic testing to gain detailed information and asses the level of disease, including CT scans, echocardiography and cardiac MRI. Cardiovascular genetic testing, which may offer crucial insights for personalized care, is also available to aortic patients and their family members, especially for those who have inherited conditions in which there are no external signs of disease.
Enrollment into our aortic screening/monitoring program to help identify, manage, and monitor risk of hereditary or familial-related aortic disease, further ensures that patients with a high risk of developing aortic disease, receive the attention and ongoing care they require.
An individual care plan for management and treatment of complex aortic disease
Our team will carefully assess your condition and choose the best approach for repair and recovery. If surgery is required, our team performs minimally invasive aortic surgery—using a small incision, whenever possible—which usually means less pain and a shorter recovery time for you.
Patients come to us for complex aortic disease treatment of a wide range of conditions, including:
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm, which can involve the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch or descending aorta
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm
- Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm
- Aortic valve regurgitation
- Acute and chronic Type A and Type B aortic dissections
- Aortic rupture
- Congenital conditions including bicuspid aortic valve disease and Marfan syndrome
- Genetic, familial, and inflammatory or infectious aortic disease
- Traumatic aortic injuries, ruptures and other acute aortic syndromes
The Aortic Wellness Center consists of a dedicated team of aortic subspecialists, among the best doctors in Philadelphia for complex aortic disease treatment and management. The team includes cardiac and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, cardiovascular imaging specialists, radiologists and anesthesiologists, all ensuring optimal evaluation and management of patients at risk for aortic complications as well as rapid, coordinated treatment of acute aortic emergencies.
Lankenau Heart Institute is well-known for expertise and success rates in aortic procedures such as:
- Endovascular repair (a recent advancement in aortic surgery) and hybrid procedures
- Open repair
- Valve-sparing root surgery
And other complex procedures as well as common surgeries to help patients with aortic disease get back to their full-hearted lives.
U.S. News & World Report has rated Lankenau Medical Center as High Performing for aortic valve surgery and transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) for 2022-2023.
U.S. News & World Report has rated Paoli Hospital as High Performing for abdominal aortic aneurism repair for 2022-2023.
Cardiovascular clinical trials at Main Line Health
Main Line Health uses clinical trials to help prevent, diagnose and treat the full range of heart and aortic conditions. Learn more about the cardiovascular clinical trials currently being offered by our renowned cardiologists and heart and aortic surgeons.
Cardiovascular Imaging Program
Cardiovascular imaging uses the most advanced technology available to capture images of the heart in order to better diagnose and treat cardiovascular disease.
Heart Failure
Causes of heart failure include coronary artery disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, which may contribute to weakening or stiffening the heart.
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Of patients who have completed cardiac rehabilitation program at a Main Line Health facility, 95 percent show improvement in functional ability and 100 percent of patients report overall improvement in their quality of life.
Women's Heart Disease
Women's Heart Initiative is a comprehensive health care program specifically dedicated to education and awareness about women's heart care.
Cardiothoracic Surgery
At the core of our cardiac surgery program are internationally renowned cardiac surgeons and specialists who are leaders in this field. Our expertise spans the full spectrum of cardiac surgery and includes groundbreaking applications of minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques.
Vascular Surgery
Our surgeons perform hundreds of procedures to open blocked arteries and restore healthy blood flow with traditional open surgery as well as minimally invasive and endovascular interventions.
Consultative Cardiology Program
Our multidisciplinary team of cardiac specialists, including physicians, nurses and dietitians, work together to secure a prompt diagnosis, identify appropriate treatment options, and facilitate long-term, follow-up care.