The Comprehensive Aortic Program is a leader in endovascular aortic repair. We offer patients:

• Access to the latest devices: Our cardiologists and surgeons have access to all approved TEVAR devices. If needed, we can tailor a device based on your condition and anatomy.
• Customized treatment: Our surgical team meets weekly to review your condition. Together they determine the safest and most effective treatment options. We discuss these options with you and help you decide which treatment best meets your needs. Then we develop a customized treatment plan.
• Expert care: Our surgeons perform a high volume of TEVAR procedures each year. This volume translates to a level of expertise and excellent patient outcomes you won’t find elsewhere. That’s why cardiologists across Michigan refer their patients to the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.
• Innovative procedures: Our doctors are continually refining TEVAR techniques to improve patient outcomes. We routinely publish our clinical research and findings, helping advance the field of TEVAR.
• Individual attention: Our patients are at the heart of everything we do. Our nurses and doctors are always available for questions. We make sure you are fully informed about your condition and treatment plan and know what to expect.

To schedule an evaluation with a Frankel Cardiovascular Center physician, call 888-287-1082. Or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page to learn what to expect when you call us.

Patients with the following conditions are considered candidates for TEVAR:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysms that are large or growing rapidly
• Type B dissections (those in the descending thoracic aorta) that cannot be managed with medication therapy
• An aortic tear due to traumatic injury

TEVAR is an option for people who are unable to tolerate open surgery due to their age or other health conditions.

Each patient’s condition is unique. Our doctors will evaluate your condition and medical history and work with you to determine if TEVAR is your best option.

The aorta is the large artery that carries oxygenated blood from your heart to the rest of your body. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta. A dissection occurs when a tear causes the inner two layers of the aortic wall to separate and fill with blood. Both conditions weaken the aorta and can lead to a dangerous rupture.

During TEVAR, our doctors fit a stent (fabric-covered, metal mesh tube) inside the damaged part of the aorta to provide reinforcement. They place the stent using a thin tube (catheter) inserted through an artery in the groin.

Initially, the stent is collapsed. Once the stent is in place, the doctor expands it. Before removing the catheter, the surgeon evaluates the stent to make sure it’s securely in place.