Medical Services related to Francis Dominic Pagani MD

Aortic Aneurysm

An aneurysm is a bulge that occurs in a blood vessel. If that bulge occurs in the aorta, the largest blood vessel in your body, it is called an aortic aneurysm. Aneurysms can be life-threatening if they rupture and bleed inside the body. At the Frankel Cardiovascular Center, our skilled cardiologists, surgeons and other specialists offer treatment options for all types of aortic aneurysms. Our team-based approach focuses on making sure you and your family understand your options. We work with you to decide which treatment is best for you.

Aortic Disease Treatments and Procedures

Our Comprehensive Aortic Program at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center offers a wide range of treatment options for aortic disease. Many patients come to us for procedures that are not available elsewhere. Others choose us because they want to receive care at one of the top institutions in the country. We offer replacement or repair of the aortic valve, as well as minimally invasive and open surgery for aortic aneurysm an daortic dissection.

Aortic Dissection (Type A, Type B and Chronic Dissection)

An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aortic wall tears. The inner and middle layers of the aorta separate and fill with blood, weakening the wall of the aorta. If pressure builds up, it can lead to a dangerous rupture where blood spills inside the body. When you come to the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center, you’ll find experts with decades of experience diagnosing and treating aortic dissections.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (AC and ARVC)

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (AC) is a rare inherited heart muscle condition that causes irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) at a higher rate than other heart muscle conditions. AC can affect primarily either the left ventricle (Left Dominant Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy) or the right ventricle (Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy or ARVC). Individuals with AC or ARVC may have symptoms of palpitations or fainting due to arrhythmias. Symptoms may also include shortness of breath due to reduced pumping function of the heart.

Arteriosclerotic Aortic Disease

University of Michigan Aortic Disease Program treats all kinds of arterial disease, including arteriosclerotic aortic disease (hardening of the arteries).

Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV)

Bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) is a genetic condition that causes the aortic valve to have two leaflets instead of three. It’s the most common type of congenital heart disease (heart defect that’s present at birth) and often goes unnoticed until later in life. Doctors at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s Comprehensive Aortic Program have extensive experience treating patients with bicuspid aortic valve disease. We also coordinate with our Adult Congenital Heart Disease Program. Together, we offer patients expert treatment and long-term monitoring.

Cardiac Surgery

The top-ranked hospital in Michigan for heart and heart surgery programs, the University of Michigan Cardiovascular Center performs more than 2,000 heart operations annually, sees approximately 3,500 outpatients each year, and delivers a team of experts to make our patients' hospital stay both comfortable and successful.

Comprehensive Aortic Program

When you choose the Comprehensive Aortic Program at the University of Michigan Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center, you’ll find a world-class level of experience and expertise. As leaders in the field of aortic disease, our surgeons are at the forefront of developing new surgical techniques. The Comprehensive Aortic Program is the busiest in the state and among the largest in the U.S. We are a premier center for the care of patients with complex aortic diseases.

Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a heart muscle condition characterized by gradual weakening of the heart muscle. While DCM may be caused by other conditions, including myocardial infarction, many cases are now known to be caused by genetic mutations carried in families. Individuals with DCM may be only mildly affected or may be severely affected, even in the same family.

Heart Failure

The University of Michigan offers the state's only accredited heart failure disease management program, with medical and surgical care, heart-assisting technology and comprehensive rehabilitation programs.

Heart Transplant

Heart transplant is one of a number of options for severe heart disease. It's not for everyone, and should not be considered unless all other viable treatment options have been unsuccessful. At the University of Michigan Heart Transplant Program, our closely integrated team of cardiac transplant surgeons and transplant cardiologists are able to treat and implant donor hearts in the sickest of patients because of our high volume, vast experience and active research program. 

Heart Transplant Overview

Heart transplant is one of a number of options for severe heart disease and should only be considered when other viable treatment options have been unsuccessful. Since 1984, doctors at the University of Michigan Heart Transplant program have performed approximately 800 heart transplants.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM)

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a common genetic cardiac disorder affecting 1 in 500 people. It affects both men and women of all ages, and is characterized by abnormal thickening of the heart muscle.

Michigan Medicine VAD Program

The VAD Program at the University of Michigan offers one of the nation's most comprehensive programs in the area of treatment for severe chronic or acute heart failure. This goes beyond conventional treatment, giving patients access to a broad variety of state-of-the-art options of circulatory support devices and skilled post-implantation care.

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an enlargement in the upper part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that routes blood to the body. Thoracic aortic aneurysms can cause aortic dissection (splitting of the aortic wall) and aortic rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. Thoracic aortic aneurysms, even those that are large, frequently do not cause symptoms. Some individuals, however, may experience symptoms such as: pain in the chest area; back pain; coughing or hoarseness; and difficulty breathing.

Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR)

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive option to conventional open surgery for patients suffering from thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) who are not optimal candidates for traditional open repair. TEVAR can shorten hospital stays and reduce recovery periods. The University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s surgical team has more than two decades of experience performing TEVAR procedures and provides comprehensive care to patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms as well as to all aortic patients, including those who are high-risk.

Tricuspid Valve Disease

The tricuspid valve regulates blood flow from the heart’s upper right chamber (right atrium) to the lower right chamber (right ventricle). The valve’s role is to ensure blood flows in a forward direction from the right atrium to the ventricle. Any abnormal function of the tricuspid valve is known as tricuspid valve disease.

VADs and LVADs (Ventricular Assist Devices)

VADs (ventricular assist devices) are mechanical devices that help your heart pump blood to the rest of your body when other methods don't relieve heart failure symptoms. LVADs, the most common type of VAD, are used to support the left side of the heart, but RVADs may be used to support the right side of the heart as well. The University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center is home to one of the largest VAD programs in the country, and is one of only a few institutions worldwide that has access to many investigational and FDA-approved mechanical circulatory support devices.