Aortic Center (Part of the Surgery Clinic at the UAMS Medical Center)

When the main artery in your body, the aorta, has a problem, you need to seek care from the experts. The UAMS Health Aortic Center offers comprehensive treatment for the full range of aortic diseases and conditions for patients at any age.

We perform diagnosis, appropriate medical and/or surgical management, and long-term follow-up for patients. Whether it is for a critical condition or an elective procedure, our vascular experts offer the most advanced treatments in the state. The team at the Aortic Center includes:

• Vascular surgeons
• Cardiothoracic surgeons
• Medical geneticists
• Cardiovascular anesthesiologists in the operating room
• Critical care surgeons in the ICU
• Multidisciplinary post-surgical care, whether in the ICU or on regular recovery floors

Advanced Endovascular Surgery

In addition to providing all forms of routine and advanced open surgery, the Aortic Center provides state-of-the-art complex endovascular surgery. This type of surgery is done through one or more small incisions, which makes it less invasive than traditional open surgery. UAMS Health is the state leader in performing these procedures. We are also the only institution in Arkansas that performs fenestrated endovascular aortic operations used to treat patients with complex aneurysms.

Referrals and Accessibility

Accessibility is a key part of the Aortic Center. A single call at any time, day or night, will enable referring doctors to speak to a vascular surgeon and arrange an immediate transfer. This mobilizes emergency room staff, ICU nurses, operating room nurses, anesthesiologists and the entire vascular surgery team to be in place upon the patient’s arrival, allowing immediate triage, complete advanced diagnostic workup and a quicker path to treatment and improved outcomes. Aortic emergencies permit us to avoid any diversion designation, meaning that the Aortic Center will always have a bed for any Arkansan with an aortic problem.