Objective: To further our understanding of the pathophysiology of aortic diseases, develop better surgical and non-surgical treatments, and improve short- and long-term outcomes after thoracic aortic surgery.

Key Projects

Treatment and Outcomes of Acute and Chronic Aortic Dissection

• Risk factors for Type A dissection
• Decision analysis in Type A dissection
• Outcomes of acute Type A dissection repair
• Management of acute and chronic Type B dissection
• Understanding aortic remodeling in Type B dissection

Improving Outcomes after Proximal Aortic Surgery

• Frailty and risk in proximal aortic surgery
• Preoperative cardiac catheterization and acute kidney injury
• Deep and moderate hypothermia in aortic arch surgery
• Antegrade vs. retrograde cerebral perfusion
• Predictors and management of intraoperative bleeding
• Predictors of prolonged mechanical ventilation
• Contemporary results for proximal aortic replacement
• Circulatory arrest at advanced age

Improving Outcomes after Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)

• Endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm
• The role of coronary evaluation before TEVAR
• Selective preoperative lumbar drain placement for TEVAR
• Selective left subclavian artery revascularization for TEVAR
• Intrathoracic subclavian artery aneurysm repair
• Complications of TEVAR
• Risk factors for mortality after TEVAR
• Results of TEVAR six years after FDA approval
• Mid-term results with TEVAR for chronic Type B aortic dissection

Developing and Advancing Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR)

• Transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a self-expanding prosthesis
• Comparison of short- and mid-term results of Balloon-expandable vs. Self-expanding TAVR
• Learning curve for TAVR

Understanding the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Outcomes after Thoracic Aortic Surgery

• Insurance status and outcomes of proximal aortic surgery

Management of Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV) Disease and Other Genetic Syndromes

• Individualized thoracic aortic replacement for BAV
• Total aortic replacement in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome

Understanding the Genetic Basis Underlying Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (TAA)

• Plasma biomarkers for distinguishing subtypes of TAA
• Genomic and metabolomic profiling of TAA

Awards

• Nicholas Andersen - Duke General Surgery Resident Research Award, 2nd Place Winner (2013)
• Nicholas Andersen - Duke General Surgery Resident Research Award, 1st Place Winner (2014)
• Brian R. Englum - Finalist AATS C. Walton Lillehei Resident Forum  (2014)
• Asvin Ganapathi – NIH loan repayment program (2012-2014)
• Asad Shah - American Thoracic Society International Conference Travel Award (2011)
• Judson Williams - Samson Resident Finalist, Paul C. Samson Resident Manuscript Competition at the 37th Annual Meeting of the Western Thoracic Surgical Association (2011)
• Judson Williams - First Place, Podium Presentation at SC-NC American College of Surgeons Annual Meeting, Scientific Session Competition (2010)