When Carol Werkman first saw Loyola University Medical Center vascular surgeon Bernadette Aulivola, MD, she was suffering from two debilitating conditions: Every time she ate, Mrs. Werkman felt ...

An aortic root aneurysm is a bulge in the first section of the aorta, where the artery joins the heart and aortic valve. Treatment for an aortic root aneurysm can help prevent serious complications.

The aorta is the largest blood vessel in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to every organ and tissue. It begins at the left ventricle, extends upward through the chest to form an ...

The aortic valve sits between the heart’s left ventricle and the aorta. It opens and closes with the heartbeat to allow blood to flow to the body without leaking back into the heart. It may need to be ...