Aorta and Aneurysm Centre

Aortic and aneurysmal diseases can affect people at any age, whether due to genetics, inflammation, infections, or high blood pressure. These diseases are complex, and can be life threatening. They require diligent, guideline-directed monitoring, and expert knowledge to determine the appropriate timing and best strategy for surgery.

The Aorta and Aneurysm Centre at Sunnybrook is a multidisciplinary clinic that combines the expertise of cardiac and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, intensive care doctors, radiologists, geneticists, and specialized allied healthcare providers to provide comprehensive patient care, and to help guide patients through these difficult diagnoses. Together, we work with you to develop a plan tailored to your unique needs.

What is an aneurysm?

An aneurysm is like a weak spot in a blood vessel that makes it bulge like a balloon. These bulges can happen in the aorta, a big blood vessel from your heart, and they can occur in different parts of the aorta. It might be in the chest, known as a thoracic aortic aneurysm, or in the abdomen, called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. They can also occur in the blood vessels leading to your arms, legs, head, and important organs in your abdomen.

What is an aortic dissection?

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in your body, and it is responsible for carrying blood from the heart to all other parts of the body. If the inner wall of the aorta becomes too weak, it can tear. This tearing is called an aortic dissection. While it most commonly occurs in people who have aortic aneurysms, aortic dissections can also result from trauma or complications from a medical procedure.

What we treat

Our expert team provides diagnosis, assessment and treatment for patients with all types of aneurysms and aortic issues, including:

• Aortic Disease – dissections, intramural hematomas, coarctation, penetrating aortic ulcers, traumatic aortic injuries
• Aortic Aneurysms – aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, thoracoabdominal aorta
• Aneurysmal Disease – mesenteric, iliac, femoral, popliteal, innominate, carotid, brachial
• Associated Genetic Disease – Familial Aortopathy, Marfan’s Syndrome, Loeys-Dietz Syndrome, Ehlars-Danlos Syndrome
• Aortic Valvulopathies – Bicuspid aortic valves and associated aortopathy