TGH Heart & Vascular Institute Provides Coordinated, Multidisciplinary Care for Patients with Complex Aortic Disease

The TGH HVI Aortic Program was established to provide highly specialized, evidence-based care while simplifying access and care coordination for patients and referring physicians. Through a collaborative model, patients benefit from expert evaluation, advanced imaging, medical management, minimally invasive endovascular therapies, complex surgical intervention and long-term monitoring. The program allows specialists to review complex cases together and develop individualized treatment plans that address every stage of a patient’s care journey.

A key component of the program is the newly established Aortic Dissection Clinic, dedicated to patients recovering from acute aortic dissection and those living with chronic aortic disease. The clinic provides advanced imaging review, medical management, surgical consultation, patient education and long-term disease monitoring through a dedicated multidisciplinary team. The Aortic Dissection Clinic provides structured, coordinated care while ensuring patients benefit from the collective expertise of the entire Aortic Program.

“Complex aortic disease is rarely managed in a single visit or by a single specialty. Our model brings the right experts together to create one coordinated plan for each patient, from diagnosis and medical management to advanced open or endovascular treatment and lifelong surveillance,” said Lucian Lozonschi, MD, Director and Chief of Cardiothoracic Surgery at TGH and the USF Health Morsani College of Medicine. “The Aortic Dissection Clinic extends that care beyond the acute event, providing survivors with structured follow-up and timely access to specialized expertise as their disease evolves,” he said.

Diseases affecting the aorta — the body's largest artery — include aneurysms, dissections and other complex aortic conditions. Multidisciplinary evaluation and lifelong follow-up is often the case. Recognizing these unique needs, the TGH HVI Aortic Program was designed to deliver expert care from initial diagnosis through treatment and long-term management.

In addition to delivering comprehensive care for patients, the TGH HVI Aortic Program serves as a regional referral resource for physicians throughout Florida and the Southeast. The program offers streamlined referral pathways, coordinated communication among providers and direct access to specialized aortic expertise.

The expansion of the TGH HVI Aortic Program further strengthens Tampa General’s position as a regional and national leader in cardiovascular and aortic care. The program reflects Tampa General’s commitment to innovation, academic medicine, research and outcome-driven care while expanding access to highly specialized services for patients with complex cardiovascular conditions. Tampa General Hospital has been recognized as #1 in Tampa Bay for Heart & Vascular Care by U.S. News & World Report for 2026-27.

Program physicians include Drs. Lucian Lozonschi, Jean Bismuth, Gundars Katlaps, Zain Al Rstum and Halim Yammine.

Patients and physicians seeking more information on the Aortic Program and Dissection Clinic can call (813) 844-3900 or visit TGH.org/heart.