Get care for aortic valve disorders in Nashville

Start the conversation with a specialist who listens to understand you and your health concerns. When you choose Ascension Saint Thomas for your heart care, you get an aortic care team that delivers advanced care for leaky heart valves and other aortic disorders. You’ll find your care is connected. This means we’ll answer your questions and provide consistent follow-up and support. That way you have all the information you need to make the right choice for your care.

Delivering heart care close to home

When your heart has to work harder than it should because it’s not getting the blood flow it needs, we’re here to help. Throughout Middle Tennessee, we have established a network of care with community hospitals. The Aortic Heart Center care teams at Ascension Saint Thomas Midtown and Ascension Saint Thomas West collaborate to deliver compassionate, personalized care.

Our heart surgeons use minimally invasive techniques to repair and replace a damaged aortic valve. This procedure is called transcatheter aortic valve replacement and the surgeon makes smaller incisions which may help shorten your recovery.

We also specialize in repairing the aorta artery when a bulge or tear, called an aneurysm, affects how your blood flows through your heart. These types of conditions can be life-threatening.

Recognize the symptoms of aortic heart disease

Chest pain and shortness of breath are symptoms for both aortic valve and aorta artery disease. Other symptoms of aorta artery disease may include: pain in the arms or shoulder, weakness, light-headedness, feeling sick to your stomach, or a cold sweat.

Besides chest discomfort and breathing concerns, symptoms of a leaky aortic heart valve may include:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Irregular heartbeat
• Rapid weight gain

If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, go directly to the ER or call 911.

Meet our experienced heart care team

Your heart specialist, cardiothoracic surgeon and aortic care team work together to deliver personalized care that’s right for you. Some aortic diseases are present at birth. Our doctors specialize in treating aortic-related, congenital heart disease, such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Loeys-Dietz syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve disease, and familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissections. You’ll find that managing a long-term, chronic heart condition is easier with a care team who is ready to support you.

Cardiothoracic surgeons at Ascension Saint Thomas Heart Aortic Center

Clayton Allen Kaiser, MD

Chandrashekhar Ramaiah, MD

To refer a patient to the Heart Aortic Center, please call 615-22-AORTA or 855-284-2255.