Thoracic Aortic Stent Program

The management of aortic disease is evolving, and minimally-invasive techniques allow patients to return to a good quality of life more rapidly and with less pain. Aortic aneurysms and dissections are increasingly being treated with stents placed through the groin. At UVA, we have had access for many years to the newest and most advanced devices that are not available to most centers in the state or in the region. As such, UVA is recognized as a national leader in the treatment of aortic diseases.

Cardiac surgeons at the University of Virginia have one of the largest experiences with thoracic stents in the region with referrals coming from Virginia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. At UVA, our hospital mortality has consistently been low for this complicated procedure.

The volume of Thoracic Aortic Stents performed at the University of Virginia has increased each year. With this larger experience we have developed the first Aortic Center in Virginia and we continue to receive referrals from the mid-Atlantic region and the Eastern United States.

Bar graph showing that the volume of Thoracic Aortic Stents performed at the University of Virginia has increased each year, where the x axis is the year and the y axis is the number of thoracic aortic stents performed. In 2005 the number of aortic stents performed was about 4; in 2006 the number of aortic stents performed was about 30; in 2007 the number of aortic stents performed was about 32; and in 2008 the number of aortic stents performed was about 44.