OU Health Brings Lifesaving Aortic Surgery to Oklahoma

OU Health is transforming care for Oklahomans with complex heart and vascular conditions by introducing advanced aortic procedures. These procedures are aimed at complex aortic diseases that were previously left untreated or sometimes required patients to seek care in faraway centers that may not be attainable by all. With advanced aortic technology and specialized expertise, these complex aortic surgeries can now be performed close to home.

Dr. Benjamin Chou, D.O., a vascular and endovascular surgeon at OU Health, is leading this program, and is transforming the care of complex vascular patients. These advanced techniques give hope to patients with conditions that were once considered too risky or too complex to treat.

One such condition includes aortic aneurysms, which involves dangerous bulges in the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel. When weak spots form, the aorta can balloon outward like a bulging tire, creating an aneurysm.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA) are among the most dangerous types. These bulges extend from the chest into the abdomen and affect arteries that supply vital organs such as the kidneys, liver, and intestines. If left untreated, it could lead to sudden rupture, with 50% of these patients dying before even reaching the hospital. Treatment of TAAA requires specialized teams, specific skills and a comprehensive medical center like the OU Health University of Oklahoma Medical Center.
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“Vascular diseases are widespread in Oklahoma, but there has not been an established program for complex aortic procedures in Oklahoma City,” Dr. Chou said. “In the past, a lot of these patients were either being transferred out or left untreated.”

Revolutionary New Technology

OU Health now offers groundbreaking approaches that significantly improve the safety of these high-risk surgeries:

• TAMBE (thoracoabdominal tranch endoprosthesis): Approved by the FDA in January 2024, TAMBE is the first off-the-shelf device for treating complex aortic aneurysms using endovascular techniques. Unlike traditional open surgery, which requires incisions through the chest and abdomen, TAMBE procedures are performed through small punctures in the groin and arm. Surgeons guide the device through blood vessels using real-time X-ray imaging and assemble it inside the aorta to seal off the dangerous bulge.
• FEVAR (fenestrated endovascular aortic repair): This technique allows surgeons to use customized devices during surgery to fit each patient’s unique anatomy. This allows treatment of complex aortic aneurysms that otherwise could not be treated with standard techniques.

OU Health is also the only hospital in Oklahoma using advanced fusion imaging for aortic repairs. This technology provides a 3D road map during surgery, reducing radiation exposure, minimizing the use of contrast dye that can harm the kidneys, and shortening procedure times.

Why This Matters for Oklahoma Families

Before these procedures were available at OU Health, patients had limited options: with less than a handful of vascular surgeons performing these procedures in Oklahoma, patients often had to travel out of state for treatment, undergo substandard repairs with high complication rates at times, or forgo treatment altogether and face a potentially fatal outcome.

“Most of my patients are referrals from community doctors across Oklahoma,” Dr. Chou said. “We are now attracting patients who previously did not seek care at OU Health due to the absence of these advanced options.”

Compared to traditional open aortic surgery, in the right patient, advanced endovascular techniques offer some advantages:

• Small puncture sites instead of large incisions
• Shorter hospital stays—often just a 1-2 days
• Faster recovery and return to daily life

These procedures are suitable for patients with thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, complex aortic dissections and aneurysms involving vessels to vital organs, as well as for those too ill to undergo traditional open surgery.

“We also offer complex open aortic surgeries at OU with our comprehensive team. It really depends on what is best fit for the individual patient” says Dr. Chou.

Building a Dedicated Aortic Program for Oklahoma

Dr. Chou’s vision is to establish the first dedicated aortic program in Oklahoma, which would be an integral part of OU Health’s cardiovascular programs. This center would serve as a regional hub for the most complex aortic conditions, ensuring Oklahomans have access to world-class care close to home.

The aim of the program would be to focus on education of the disease and research. “It is better for the patient and easier to manage aortic aneurysms before they become a big problem, and part of that is widespread education” says Dr. Chou.

“There is an immense community need for treatment of complex aortic diseases,” Dr. Chou said. “We are well positioned to be a leader in this field.”

For families facing these frightening diagnoses, OU Health’s new capabilities mean they no longer must choose between traveling far from home for advanced care or accepting less optimal treatment options. The combination of emerging technology, specialized expertise and comprehensive support services ensures that Oklahomans receive the best possible care while staying close to their loved ones.

For more information about OU Health’s aortic program or to refer a patient, contact 405-271-7001