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1,000’s of Patients Cared for Each Year
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Surgery Styles -- directory
Comprehensive Aortic Program
Our program combines the expertise of vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists, and more to treat a wide variety of aortic pathology.
We utilize cutting-edge technology for surgical and minimally invasive endovascular techniques to ensure precise diagnosis, reduce recovery times, and improve long-term outcomes for patients with complex aortic disease.
Donald L Jacobs MD, MS, DFSVS
Co-Director, Comprehensive Aortic Program
Chief, Division of Vascular Surgery
Michael W. Dunaway Professor of Surgery
Aortic issues are significant, and the Comprehensive Aortic Program aims to address the anxiety this provokes by simplifying the diagnosis workup and treatment. We facilitate patient care and education and provide the most feasible, effective and least invasive approach. Together with our patients, we optimize each step of the process and use every team required for the best possible outcome.
T. Brett Reece MD, MBA, FACS, FACC
Co-Director, Comprehensive Aortic Program
Program Director, Cardiothoracic Surgery Residency
Professor of Surgery
Chief, Section General Cardiac Surgery
Joseph C. Cleveland, Sr., and David N. Campbell Endowed Chair in Cardiothoracic Surgery
Philanthropy & Innovation
$1M Gift Will Support Mental and Emotional Health During Recovery From Aortic Surgery
An anonymous $1 million donation from a recent patient in the Advanced Aortic Program in the University of Colorado Department of Surgery will enable the creation of resources to better support patients undergoing and recovering from surgery for aortic disease.
31 Clinical Trials Supported
Founded the Western Aortic Collaborative
Group of like-minded cardioaortic surgeons in the Western United States collaborating to improve the care of patients with thoracic aortic pathology. Founded in 2022.Conditions We Treat
Aortic Root & Ascending Aorta
Bicuspid aortic valve aortopathy
Familial aortopathy
Pseudoaneurysm
Aneurysm
Aortic Arch
Aortic dissection
Aneurysm
PAU
Thoracoabdominal Aorta
Aortic dissection
Aneurysm
PAU
Abdominal Aorta
Infrarenal aneurysm
Pararenal aneurysm
Juxtarenal aneurysmal disease
Aortoiliac aneurysmal disease
Aortic dissection
PAU
Genetically Triggered Aortopathy
Loeys-Dietz Syndrome
Marfan Syndrome
Turner Syndrome
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos
ACTA2
MYH11
MYLK
PRKG1
Anomalous Anatomy
Aberrant subclavian artery
Right sided aortic arch or double aortic arch
Kommerell diverticulum
Coarctation of aorta
Surgeries & Procedures
Open Surgical Repairs:
Surgical incision is made through the thoracic or abdominal cavity.
Cardiac Team
Root
Ascending
Descending
Vascular Team
Abdominal
Iliac
Combined Care Team
Thoracoabdominal repair/replacement
Endovascular Repairs:
Surgical incision is made through the groin (and arm if needed) using a minimally invasive technique.
Cardiac Team
Aortic root pseudoaneurysms
Ascending aortic pseudoaneurysms
TAVR (Catheter-based aortic valve replacement)
Vascular Team
EVAR - Abdominal aortic stents
PMEG - Thoracoabdominal stent graphs with branches
TAMBE
Combined Care Team
Fenestrated devices
Hybrid aortic arch stent
Physician-modified endografts (PMEG)
Thoracic branched endograft
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR)
Call us to schedule:
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| Trial | Principal Investigator | Focus | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARISE II | Reece, Jacobs | Multi-center FDA approved study to investigate GORE minimally invasive endovascular stent for ascending aorta | Open |
| ARISE III | Reece | Evaluation of GORE ascending stent graft in the treatment new type A aortic dissection | In startup |
| ARTIZEN | Reece | To assess the performance, safety, and effectiveness of the Arcevo™LSA, which is intended for the surgical treatment of patients with acute, subacute, or chronic dissection and/or aneurysm that involves the aortic arch and the descending thoracic aorta, with or without the involvement of the ascending aorta | In startup |
| EXTEND | Reece | Post-market study to evaluate the Thoraflex Hybrid device alone and in combination with the RelayPro NBS stent-graft | Open |
| IMPROVE-AD | Reece, Jacobs | Assess clinical outcomes in patients with subacute uncomplicated type B aortic dissection undergoing upfront thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) + medical therapy vs. a strategy of medical therapy with standard of care surveillance for deterioration | Open |
| MRI Brain | Reece | Pre-operative and post-operative imaging to observe the presence of new silent brain emboli after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), aortic arch and hemiarch surgery | Open |
| MRI Hemiarch | Schafer | Analysis of aortic flow hemodynamic state pre- and post- hemiarch repair in patients with the ascending aortic aneurysm (pilot study) | Open |
| PANTHER | Reece | Collect real world, post-approval safety and performance data on patients treated with Terumo Aortic grafts and patches in standard clinical practice | Open |
| RapidLink | Reece | To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the RapidLink device in the repair or replacement of the supra-aortic vessels during open surgical repair of aortic disease affecting the thoracic aorta | In startup |