DR. MARK J. RUSSO, MD, MS
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(732) 235-7231
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  • Aortic Valve
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When is surgery recommended for an enlarged aorta or aortic aneurysm?

Surgery is recommended in order to prevent an aortic catastrophe, including aortic rupture or aortic dissection.  An aortic rupture is typically a fatal event.  An aortic dissection is associated with a high rate of death as well as other serious complications including heart attack, stroke, and paralysis.  

The risk of aortic catastrophe increases with aortic size:  
  • For aneurysms less than 5 cm, the risk of is approx 4-6% per year  
  • At 5 - 6 cm, the risk increases to as much as 12% per year 
  • At 7 cm, it exceeds 25% per year.  

Given these risks, surgery is usually recommended for patients with  aneurysms 5.0 - 5.5 cm in diameter.  However, this threshold may vary depending on other patients factors.  Surgery is recommended for patients with smaller aneurysms if they have:
  • symptoms related to the aneurysm, 
  • other heart disease requiring surgery, 
  • a bicuspid aortic valve, 
  • strong family history, and/or 
  • connective tissue disease such as Marfan's or Lowy Dietz.   
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Indications for aortic aneurysm replacement

How is the specific treatment determined?

Specific treatment will be determined by your physician based on:  
  • age
  • overall health and medical history  
  • size and extent of the disease, 
  • signs and symptoms, 
  • tolerance of specific medications, procedures or therapies, 
  • expectations for the course of the disease, and 
  • patient preferences.

How can I prevent an aortic dissection  and/or further growth of an aneurysm?   

You can help prevent an aortic dissection and/or further growth of an aneurysm by doing the following:

  • Control your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, get a home blood pressure measuring device to help you monitor and keep your blood pressure well controlled.
  • Don't smoke. Or, if you do, take steps to stop.
  • Maintain an ideal weight. Follow a low-salt diet and exercise regularly.
  • Watch your cholesterol. Keep your cholesterol levels within a range that is recommended by your doctor.
  • Continue low-impact exercise (eg brisk walking).  Avoid high-impact exercise that significantly increases your blood pressure (eg weight training)
  • Wear a seat belt. This reduces the risk of traumatic injury to your chest area.
  • Keep your doctor well-informed. If you have a family history of aortic dissection, let your doctor know.
Appointment - 732-235-7231
​Patients:   We are committed to providing you with an appointment within 7 days of your request. For your convenience, Telemedicine Consults are available.   If you have questions in the meantime, please   Ask Our Experts.
Patient   Appointments   -  732-235-7231

​ Physicians:   Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a weeks, to assist in the care of your patients and to facilitate urgent, emergent and elective transfers at the local, regional, national and international levels​
RWJUH Transfer Center   -   732-427-5725
About Dr. Russo
Telemedicine
Aortic Aneurysms
Minimally Invasive Surgery
TAVR
Mitraclip
Clinical Trials

2nd Opinion
Ask Dr. Russo
Getting a second opinion can provide peace of mind and confidence that you have been diagnosed appropriately and understand of all your treatment options. 
​Send your non-urgent questions regarding your aortic,  heart, and vascular conditions via email.

Mark J Russo, MD, MS
 Chief, Cardiac Surgery

Director, Structural Heart Disease
Associate Professor of Surgery
​
​Rutgers-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School
Robert Wood Johnson
University  Hospital 
​125 Paterson St
​New Brunswick, NJ  ​08901

Office: 732-235-7231
Fax:   
732-235-8963​
Expert in Complex Aortic  Disease, Valve Surgery, Transcatheter Aortic Valve Repalcement (TAVR) , and Mitraclip
Picture
(c) Mark Russo 2020
Dr. Russo performs the full range of cardiac surgery including  Coronary Artery Surgery - Coronary Artery Bypass Grafts; Bypass Surgery;  CABG;  Coronary Artery Surgery; Reoperation; Off Pump Bypass Surgery; Off Pump Heart Surgery; Valve Surgery - Aortic Valve Repair; Aortic Valve Replacement; Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement ; Reoperatve Heart Valve Surgery;;  Endovascular and Hybrid Aortic Surgery;  Transcatheter Valve Surgery - TAVR, TAVI, ViV, MVIV, valve-in-valve; Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery - Minimally Invasive Mitral Valve Repair; Mitral Valve Replacement; Minimally Invasive Aortic Valve Surgery​; Aortic Surgery - Aorta Surgery; Aortic Dissection; Complex Aorta Surgery; Valve Sparing Roots, Heart Surgery for Marfan Syndrome; Aortic Root Aneurysms; Ascending Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Arch Aneurysms; Descending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms; Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms; Aortic Dissections, including Type A Dissections and Type B Dissections; Native Aortic and Prosthetic Graft Infections, including Endocarditis; Congenital Aortic Disease, such as Marfan's syndrome and Loeys Dietz; Transplant Surgery - Heart and Lung.  He was trained by Dr. Mehmet Oz and Craig Smith and Eric Rose.  Read about Matt Millen undergoing Heart Transplant