Life-Saving, Coordinated Care for
the Body's Most Important Artery
The aorta is the lifeline of your circulatory system, carrying oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. When this vital vessel is compromised, it requires more than just standard care. It requires a coordinated, multidisciplinary approach from cardiac surgeons, vascular surgeons, cardiologists and imaging specialists at the UHealth Comprehensive Aortic Center.
One Call Activates Our Expert Team
At UHealth, we eliminate the stress of navigating complex care. Our 24-hour referral pathway ensures that a single call connects you to a team of experts ready to review your case immediately.
- Coordinated Care: We strive to schedule your consultation and advanced diagnostic testing on the same day.
- Rapid Access: Whether you are self-referring or being transferred from another facility, we prioritize immediate evaluation.
- Collaborative Communication: We work closely with your referring physician to provide seamless updates on your treatment and recovery.
Aortic Conditions We Treat
Our specialists evaluate high-risk and complex cases, offering second opinions and advanced interventions for conditions including:
- Aneurysms: Abdominal, Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.
- Dissections & Injuries: Acute aortic dissection, aortic transection and intramural hematomas.
- Genetic Disorders: Specialized care for Marfan syndrome and other hereditary aortic conditions.
- Complex Pathologies: Aortitis, Coarctation of the aorta and penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers.
Our Team of Experts
CIRO AMODIO, M.D.
CO-DIRECTOR,
COMPREHENSIVE AORTIC CENTER
CARDIAC SURGEON
JEAN MICHEL PANNETON, M.D.
CO-DIRECTOR,
COMPREHENSIVE AORTIC CENTER
VASCULAR SURGEON
JUAN PABLO UMANA, M.D.
CHIEF OF CARDIOTHORACIC SURGERY
JORGE REY, M.D.
CHIEF OF VASCULAR SURGERY
Leading-Edge Surgical Innovations
Not every patient requires immediate surgery. We use advanced imaging to monitor your condition, but when intervention is necessary, UHealth offers the most sophisticated procedures available today:
Minimally Invasive (TEVAR/EVAR)
Endovascular stent-grafts inserted via small groin incisions to repair aneurysms.
COMPLEX VALVE REPAIR AND RECONSTRUCTION
Our expert cardiothoracic surgeons use advanced techniques to repair and reconstruct heart valves, even in the most difficult cases..
FEVAR & BEVAR
Custom-designed stent-grafts that preserve blood flow to critical organ branches.
VALVE SPARING AND REPLACEMENT
When possible, our surgeons preserve your natural heart valve using advanced repair techniques—or replace it with a durable option to restore healthy blood flow.
Ross Procedure
Also known as pulmonary autograph procedure, this complex surgical technique replaces the stenotic (damaged) aortic valve with the patient's own pulmonary valve, providing a living substitute to the deceased aortic valve. This provides better durability, improved size fitting, and reduced risk of valve deterioration without the need for blood thinners or anticoagulants.
TAVR & EndoArch
Catheter-based and hybrid techniques for heart valves and the aortic arch.
Why choose UHealth?
Choose South Florida's only academic heart & vascular program. We offer you a unique advantage: direct access to clinical innovations, the latest research, and a multidisciplinary team of experts that work together to treat the most complex conditions and are recognized for their superior outcomes.
Our heart program is nationally recognized and trusted by experts. For you, this means peace of mind and proven results.
- Ranked by US News & World Report as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery
- The only Comprehensive Hypertension Center in the region certified by the American Heart Association.
- Innovative Treatment: We were the first in Florida to offer renal denervation, an FDA-approved procedure for patients whose blood pressure is not controlled by medication.
- Access to the latest Cardiovascular Research in S. FL, with NIH-funded trials and clinical trials across prevention, imaging, heart failure, structural heart disease, and electrophysiology
- Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Program for more precise diagnosis
- TAVR program ranks in the top 10% nationally