Articles

Boca Raton Regional Hospital Establishes Aortic Center
January 24, 2011

Program Provides 24-7 Assistance to Area Emergency Departments and Physicians for Rapid Diagnosis and Treatment of Aortic Emergencies

BOCA RATON, FL (January 24, 2011) – Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute (LHVI) has established an Aortic Center that provides immediate and 24-7 assistance to local hospitals and physicians for the rapid diagnosis and treatment of aortic emergencies.

Patients with acute aortic syndrome represent some of the most serious and lethal problems that may be seen in an emergency department or physician office. The syndrome refers to a spectrum of life-threatening aortic emergencies including rupturing aneurysms, aortic dissections, and penetrating aortic ulcers. Because these conditions can have a mortality rate of 40 percent or higher if not diagnosed and treated appropriately in 24 hours, rapid assessment and intervention by experienced surgeons is essential and life saving.

“We wanted to make our expertise and experience in aortic disease available to the region’s cardiologists, primary care physicians and emergency departments,” said W. Anthony Lee, MD and Director of the Endovascular Program at Boca Regional’s LHVI. “Acute aortic syndromes are potentially devastating clinical situations and can present with symptoms that mimic other conditions. We felt being able to collaborate with us immediately and at any time would benefit the management of these patients greatly.”

The Aortic Center provides specialized capabilities and support services that are unique in Palm Beach County. Its team of surgeons has performed over 2000 aortic surgical procedures, making it one of the most experienced programs in Florida.

The Center employs both conventional and endovascular (minimally invasive) techniques in aortic repair and is especially accomplished in treating patients with complex thoracic and abdominal aortic diseases.

At the core of the program is its 24-hour hotline for immediate physician-to-physician consultation and a rapid transfer and admitting process should the patient need surgery at Boca Regional.

“I was recently contacted by a local emergency department that had reached out to several other hospitals regarding a patient with an acute aortic dissection who needed help quickly,” said Alexander Kulik, MD MPH, a cardiac surgeon and endovascular specialist at the LHVI. “Not all institutions have the experience or expertise in treating these highly-lethal conditions. We can assist them in an effective and timely manner.”

Because aortic imaging and surgical technique have dramatically changed in recent years and continues to evolve, the Aortic Center also provides access to the latest multi-center trials.

“We believe our clinical capabilities and technology, combined with immediate physician-to physician consultation, provides other hospitals and doctors with a unique and highly collaborative approach in the care of the acute aortic syndrome patient,” said James Morris, MD and Medical Director of the Lynn Heart and Vascular Institute.

For more information on the Aorta Center, contact Boca Raton Regional Hospital’s Lynn Heart & Vascular Institute at 561-955-HEART.

About Boca Raton Regional Hospital

Born out of community need in 1967, Boca Raton Regional Hospital is an advanced tertiary medical center (www.brrh.com) with 400 beds and more than 700 primary and specialty physicians on staff. The hospital is a recognized leader in oncology, cardiovascular disease and surgery, minimally invasive surgery, orthopedics, women’s health and emergency medicine, all of which offer state-of-the-art diagnostic and imaging capabilities. The Hospital is a Joint Commission Designated Primary Stroke Center.

HealthGrades, the leading independent healthcare ratings organization, has ranked Boca Raton Regional Hospital in the top 5% in the nation for cardiac, stroke, prostatectomy and gastrointestinal care. The 2011 awards include #1 in Florida for overall cardiac services and cardiac surgery, #1 in Florida for treatment of stroke, #2 in Florida for gastrointestinal services, and #3 in Florida for gastrointestinal medical treatment. This marks the second year in a row that the Institution is ranked number one in the state of Florida for cardiac surgery. The Hospital is also the recipient of the 2010 Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence by HealthGrades, the 2010/2011 HealthGrades Women’s Health Excellence Award and the 2010 HealthGrades Emergency Medicine Excellence Award.