Michael Corey, MD

Wellstar’s Comprehensive Aortic Program has identified thousands of hidden aneurysms in the past two years. The goal of the program is to help people before their conditions become life-threatening.

Aortic aneurysms are bulges in the body’s largest blood vessel. They can burst and cause severe damage or death if they become too big. Unfortunately, most people never know they have one because they are typically asymptomatic until they rupture.

However, the aortic experts at Wellstar found a way to help people before they have an emergency.

“When patients have CT scans at Wellstar for other reasons, we use artificial intelligence (AI) to sift through them and find images of someone who may have aneurysm,” said Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Ryan Burke. “That allows us to proactively contact them and bring them in if appropriate for evaluation to discuss that diagnosis.”

Since the program launch in July 2022, more than 4,700 people with aneurysms have been placed under surveillance—a protocol to monitor people who have a risk. Surveillance allows people to avoid undergoing unnecessary surgery but to know when the aneurysm grows larger and becomes a greater concern.

For people who had large, potentially life-threatening aneurysms, cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons performed more than 700 advanced procedures at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center since the program began.

“These are major cardiac operations only performed in centers that offer complex aortic surgery,” Dr. Burke said. “The outcomes are best when done in experienced centers that do a high volume of procedures, like Wellstar Kennestone.”

Patient-centered aortic care

“This program is very patient-oriented. We have an excellent team of dedicated physicians at Wellstar to accomplish our mission and I think it’s very beneficial for both patients and physicians,” said Dr. Michael Corey of Vascular Surgical Associates.

The aortic program at Wellstar provides a higher level of aortic care than a patient would typically find in a local hospital. What makes the program unique is:

• The multispecialty team of aortic experts working together
• The cutting-edge AI technology used to identify patients who are unaware they have an aneurysm
• A high-tech hybrid operating room (OR) for open or minimally invasive procedures
• The latest surgical techniques and technology
• A high volume of procedures performed

“The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body. It runs from the heart, through the chest and abdomen and down to the legs,” said Dr. Burke. “When you have a disease process involving the aorta, it requires multiple specialties.”

Wellstar’s specialized aortic team includes cardiovascular surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, radiologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

There is also a cardiac hybrid OR that brings a catheterization lab and surgery suite together in one space, making aortic aneurysm treatment more efficient and encouraging collaboration between our expert providers.

“The hybrid OR is a state-of-the-art, innovative, open operating room where patients can receive complex aortic reconstructions—procedures that have open surgery components to them—as well as endovascular (or minimally invasive) aortic reconstructions. This all can take place in one nice operating room,” Dr. Corey said.

The aortic program is part of a larger heart care program at Wellstar, based at Wellstar Kennestone, the first in Georgia and the fourth in the nation to receive Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center Certification by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association. This is the highest certification in cardiovascular care.

Learn more or schedule an appointment with an aortic disease specialist.

A new multidisciplinary program at Wellstar cares for people with aortic conditions, providing both emergency and non-emergent treatment.

The Wellstar Comprehensive Aortic Program brings together a highly-skilled team of experts, including cardiovascular surgeons and vascular surgeons, cardiologists, anesthesiologists, nurse practitioners and physician assistants. These providers share the common goal of diagnosing, treating and preventing aortic diseases and emergencies—making care more comprehensive and improving outcomes for patients.

“Traditionally, aortic diseases have been managed by multiple physicians spread throughout multiple specialties, which can lead to confusion, delays in treatment and competing treatment plans,” said Wellstar Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. James Ryan Burke. “Wellstar has created a single, multidisciplinary program to bring together aortic-specific disease expertise and leverage advanced technology.”

Aortic health is crucial to overall wellness

The aorta is the major artery that carries blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. If the aorta is ruptured, then blood does not flow to other areas like the legs, feet and brain, which can lead to lasting brain damage or death.

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta. Aneurysms are often asymptomatic until they become large, rupture or dissect. However, an aortic dissection, when a tear develops on the inner wall of the aorta, is one for concern. Depending on the aneurysm location, the most common symptom could be one of severe chest pain, back pain, or abdominal pain. When an aneurysm ruptures or tears, it can lead to death within minutes or hours.

The aortic program takes a proactive approach to prevent aneurysms by monitoring and treating aortic conditions.

“Identifying aortic pathology early leads to better patient outcomes,” said Wellstar Cardiovascular Disease Specialist Dr. Jennifer Giuseffi. 

The program’s team partners with patients to reduce their risk of an aortic emergency. Risk factors include tobacco use, being older than 65, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, history of coronary artery disease or peripheral vascular disease, family history of aneurysms, certain connective tissue disorders, and certain genetic conditions. Men are also at higher risk than women.

The team of aortic care specialists gets to know each patient and collaborates with them to create a personalized care plan to keep their aorta healthy.

“Every patient is different. Every aorta is different. The risk factors and complications with every aorta are different,” Dr. Giuseffi said. “Within our group, we’ll be able to address all of our patients’ issues individually.”

Our approach to aortic care brings together experts from multiple specialties, allowing patients to have all their questions answered and get multiple perspectives.

“All patients with aortic diseases being cared for at Wellstar will benefit long-term through the program’s unique collaboration of healthcare practitioners from cardiology, cardiac surgery and vascular surgery all working together to ensure the best possible care and outcomes for patients with these complex heart conditions,” said Vascular Surgeon Dr. Michael Corey.

Managing aortic emergencies

While the program includes an outpatient component to help patients manage aortic conditions or recover from aneurysms or dissections, the systemwide team is also prepared to save lives and step into action during emergencies.

The program offers treatments including aortic root and aortic valve surgery, thoracic aortic surgery and thoracoabdominal aortic surgery.

If you experience any of these symptoms of aortic disease, call 911:

• Severe, sudden pain in the chest, back, abdomen or groin area
• Pulsating feeling in the abdomen similar to a heartbeat
• Cold, numbness or tingling in the hands, legs or feet
• Drop in blood pressure, dizziness or feeling faint

While the team performs procedures at Wellstar Kennestone Regional Medical Center, care teams at all Wellstar hospitals are trained in how to address aortic emergencies and transfer patients if needed. Wellstar Kennestone was the first hospital in Georgia and only fourth in the country to receive the highest certification in cardiovascular care—the Comprehensive Cardiac Care Center Certification—by The Joint Commission and American Heart Association.

Receiving care from the Wellstar Comprehensive Aortic Program

To see a provider in the aortic program, patients can either be referred by their physician or call the office to make an appointment. The team will help patients determine which provider they should see first, depending on their health history or aortic condition. Call (770) 590-4180 to make an appointment or learn more about the program.