Inside the UCLA Health Aortic Center

Dr. Bernardo Mendes, a vascular/endovascular surgeon, and Dr. Peter Downey, an adult cardiac surgeon, discuss their close collaboration at the UCLA Health Aortic Center.

Not every hospital is equipped to perform complex endovascular aortic repair. High-quality imaging and a hybrid operating room are essential.

A hybrid operating room combines the sterile environment of a traditional operating room with advanced imaging technology. This allows surgeons to perform both open and minimally invasive endovascular procedures in the same space. The imaging provides clear, real-time views of the aorta and the devices we are placing, helping improve precision and safety.

Patients with diseases of the aorta, such as aortic aneurysms and aortic dissection, are often medically complex. Many also have heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney disease. If complications occur, these patients may have limited ability to recover from additional stress. That’s why it is critical to have a hospital and care team that can recognize and manage complications quickly and effectively.

One of the greatest strengths of the UCLA Health Aortic Center is the close collaboration between cardiac and vascular surgeons. Different parts of the aorta require different expertise and specialized training.

For example, a life-threatening aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer of the aortic wall tears. In many cases, we first perform an emergency open surgical repair to stabilize the patient. Later, we can often complete the treatment using a minimally invasive endovascular approach, avoiding another major operation and a prolonged recovery.

Teamwork is especially important in these staged repairs. By planning together from the beginning, we can design the initial operation to make subsequent procedures safer, simpler, and more effective. This collaboration allows us to tailor treatment to each individual patient.

At UCLA Health, we have intentionally built a multidisciplinary aortic program centered on shared expertise and coordinated care. Our goal is always the best possible outcome for the patient, regardless of which specialist performs a particular part of the repair.

That culture of teamwork strengthens our outcomes, improves patient safety, and helps make the UCLA Health Aortic Center one of the leading aortic programs in the region.

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Our specialists are experts in treating aortic disease. To learn more about our services, call 310-267-7001.

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