Aortic Care Video Library

Treating aortic disease requires advanced technology, specialized expertise and close coordination across surgical teams. In this video, Bernardo Mendes, MD, and Peter Downey, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explain what sets the center apart — from hybrid operating rooms and high-quality imaging to the team-based approach between vascular and cardiac surgeons. They also discuss how this collaboration helps make complex aortic repairs safer and more effective for patients.

An aortic aneurysm can sound alarming, but many are slow-growing and manageable with careful monitoring. In this video, Peter Downey, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explains what an aortic aneurysm is and why it often does not cause symptoms. He walks through common risk factors, how they are discovered and why regular imaging is often the safest approach for smaller aneurysms. Dr. Downey also shares practical steps patients can take — such as quitting smoking and controlling blood pressure — to help protect their aortic health.

An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner lining of the aorta that can become life-threatening and requires urgent expert care. In this video, Peter Downey, MD, and Bernardo Mendes, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explain how aortic dissections are diagnosed and treated, including stent-based procedures and open surgery.

Aortic surgery has changed dramatically over the past two decades, with less invasive techniques helping patients recover faster and avoid many of the risks of traditional open surgery. In this video, Bernardo Mendes, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explains how modern stent grafts are used to repair many aortic aneurysms through a small puncture in the groin rather than a large incision. He also discusses how these advances help prevent life-threatening rupture and improve patient outcomes.

Not everyone with an aortic aneurysm is a candidate for endovascular repair. In this video, Bernardo Mendes, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explains how specialists determine whether this minimally invasive approach is the right fit based on the aneurysm's location, the shape of the aorta and the condition of nearby blood vessels. Dr. Mendes also discusses when more complex grafts or open surgery may be recommended to achieve the safest and most durable result.

An ascending aortic aneurysm is an enlargement in the part of the aorta closest to the heart that can raise the risk of tear or rupture if it grows too large. In this video, Peter Downey, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explains how doctors decide when repair is recommended, including the role of aneurysm size, growth rate and underlying conditions such as bicuspid aortic valve or connective tissue disorders. Dr. Downey also discusses why treatment decisions are tailored to each patient.

Aortic aneurysm surgery is a serious procedure, but advances in minimally invasive techniques, planning and monitoring have made it safer than ever. In this video, Bernardo Mendes, MD, of the UCLA Health Aortic Center explains how surgical risk depends on the aneurysm's size and location, and how the care team works to reduce complications. Dr. Mendes discusses minimally invasive repair, more complex aneurysm treatment and the strategies UCLA Health uses to help protect the kidneys, intestines and spinal cord.