Northside Hospital Heart Institute’s Center for Aortic Surgery is a key component of the cardiac surgery program at Northside Hospital Gwinnett in Lawrenceville, providing advanced diagnosis and treatment for patients with complex aortic conditions and related vascular disorders.
The center specializes in aortic disease from the aortic root and arch through to the descending aorta and brings together a multidisciplinary team of cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists and advanced cardiac imaging specialists. This collaborative model allows the team to develop personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s unique condition.
Surgical teams at the center are highly trained in advanced interventions for aortic disease, with expertise spanning from the aortic root through the thoracic aorta. Treatment options include aortic valve preservation and repair, endovascular stent-grafts and complex open surgical procedures, such as the frozen elephant trunk technique.
Advanced hybrid techniques have become an essential part of comprehensive aortic surgery programs. These approaches typically combine a less invasive open surgical procedure with a complex endovascular treatment, allowing physicians to treat severe and complex conditions when traditional open surgery may not be the best option.
“The Center for Aortic Surgery stands out for Northside Hospital patients due to its comprehensive, team-based approach to evaluating complex aortic diseases and formulating individualized treatment plans,” said Dr. Azad Karim, cardiothoracic surgeon at Northside Hospital Heart Institute. “This collaborative effort ensures that each patient receives specialized, tailored care that addresses their specific needs.”
Close collaboration between surgeons and imaging specialists remains critical to achieving optimal outcomes.
“As imaging technology for aortic disease advances, so does the complexity of interpretation,” said Dr. Colin O’Brien, cardiologist at the Northside Hospital Heart Institute. “At Northside Hospital Heart Institute, we’ve learned that the best outcomes for our patients come from side-by-side collaboration between our surgeons and imaging experts.
"This approach ensures that our team delivers the most accurate diagnosis before a treatment is recommended,” Dr. O'Brien added.
Looking ahead, the Northside Hospital Heart Institute Center for Aortic Surgery is prioritizing strategic program growth, including enhanced collaboration with radiology, rheumatology and genetic counseling. These efforts aim to support comprehensive care for patients with heritable aortic conditions such as Marfan syndrome and Loeys-Dietz syndrome.
Patients and referring providers can contact the Center for Aortic Surgery at 678-312-3500.
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