On Thursday, Oct. 29, Lakeland Regional Health reached a milestone in cardiovascular care after completing Florida’s first physician-modified endograft total aortic repair using the GORE TAG Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis with a fully percutaneous technique.
The procedure offers a minimally invasive option for treating complex conditions involving the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Rather than relying on traditional open-chest surgery, physicians use small punctures to place a customized stent graft inside the blood vessel.
The procedure was performed by a team of cardiovascular surgeons and interventional radiology specialists at Lakeland Regional Health.
How the New Aortic Repair Procedure Works
The aorta carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Its upper curved section, known as the aortic arch, presents a particular challenge because three major arteries branch from it to supply blood to the brain, head, neck, and arms.
To complete the repair, the medical team modified a specialized stent graft by creating two precisely positioned openings. These openings allow blood to continue flowing through all three major branches while the graft supports the repaired section of the aorta.
The device was placed using a fully percutaneous approach, meaning physicians accessed the blood vessels through small needle punctures rather than making a large incision or opening the chest.
According to Dr. Mohammed Hassan, a cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon at Lakeland Regional Health, the technique provides another treatment option for patients with complex aortic conditions who may benefit from avoiding traditional open surgery.
Potential Benefits for Patients
For patients who qualify, the minimally invasive procedure may offer several advantages over conventional open-chest surgery, including:
Less blood loss
Shorter hospital stays
Faster recovery
An additional treatment option for certain high-risk patients
The approach may be particularly valuable for people with complex aortic conditions who face greater risks with traditional surgery. However, eligibility depends on each patient’s medical condition and individual circumstances.
A Collaborative Approach to Complex Cardiovascular Care
Performing the procedure required detailed planning and coordination among cardiovascular surgeons, interventional radiology specialists, nurses, surgical technicians and other members of the medical team.
The milestone highlights Lakeland Regional Health’s expanding capabilities in advanced cardiovascular treatment and the role of minimally invasive techniques in addressing complex conditions.
Read more about the procedure in Lakeland Regional Health’s announcement.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the aortic arch?
The aortic arch is the curved section of the aorta near the heart. Three major arteries branch from it, carrying blood to the brain, head, neck and arms. Its location and branching structure make repairs especially complex.
How is this procedure different from traditional aortic surgery?
Traditional open surgery may require surgeons to open the chest to reach the aorta. This technique uses a customized stent graft delivered through small punctures in the blood vessels, avoiding the need for an open-chest approach.
What are the potential benefits?
Eligible patients may experience less blood loss, shorter hospital stays and faster recovery compared with traditional open surgery. The procedure may also provide an option for some patients who face increased risks from conventional surgery.
Where was Florida’s first procedure performed?
Lakeland Regional Health performed the procedure in Lakeland, Florida, using the GORE TAG Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis.
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