Once a month, WakeMed hosts an internal Aortic Conference to facilitate collaboration among surgeons and caregivers from different disciplines. These meetings focus on discussing complex patient cases and making clinical decisions based on the latest research, guidelines, and individual patient situations.
Key figures in this collaborative initiative include Cardiothoracic Surgeon Dr. Judson Williams and Vascular Surgeon Dr. Christopher McQuinn. The team is committed to advancing care for patients with complex aortic conditions by utilizing innovative procedures and advanced devices.
One of the notable procedures offered at WakeMed is Fenestrated Endovascular Aortic Repair (FEVAR). This newer procedure allows surgeons to repair the aorta through small incisions while maintaining blood flow to vital arteries leading to the kidneys and other organs.
Dr. McQuinn was among the first vascular surgeons in the state to use the GORE EXCLUDER Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE). TAMBE provides a minimally invasive option for patients with aortic aneurysms, reducing risks of complications, recovery time, and hospital stay duration.
The team is currently focused on improving care for patients with issues near the aortic arch, which is close to arteries supplying blood to the brain. These patients face higher stroke risks, necessitating careful collaboration among specialists.
“Due to the complexity of these cases and the anatomy involved, complex aortic interventions have historically had higher levels of mortality and morbidity than other cardiovascular procedures,” states Dr. Williams.
WakeMed Heart & Vascular employs a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to caring for patients requiring complex aortic interventions. This method aims to improve outcomes by involving more experts in patient care.
