Offering the latest advance in the surgical treatment of aneurysms in the abdomen, vascular surgeons at Capital Health recently performed the region’s first thoracoabdominal branch endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure, a minimally invasive approach that seals off aneurysms and redirects blood to flow through an implanted device. This procedure, which was previously only available in medical centers outside of the greater Mercer and Bucks County region, is now available at Capital Health for patients diagnosed with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a bulge that forms on the aorta in the chest or abdomen when its walls are weakened by plaque or disease. When a significant risk of rupture occurs, traditional treatment options were often limited mostly due to the complexity of open procedures and the need to custom build devices to direct blood flow.
“TAMBE is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a versatile, off-the-shelf device to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Because nearby vessels that supply blood to organs in the abdomen are often affected by the disease, the TAMBE device is branched and equipped with portals that allow for the placement of stent grafts into visceral arteries,” said Dr. Kogulan Nadesakumaran, a board certified, fellowship trained vascular surgeon who recently led Capital Health’s first TAMBE procedure.
Dr. Nadesakumaran was joined by Dr. Christine Lotto, a colleague from Capital Health Surgical Group – Vascular Surgery, to perform the TAMBE procedure. They were also part of the highly trained surgical team that performed the region’s first branched thoracic endovascular aortic repair (branched TEVAR) in July 2024. TEVAR is a minimally invasive procedure for patients diagnosed with aortic disease or traumatic injury.
The fellowship trained surgeons at Capital Health Surgical Group – Vascular Surgery perform complex open vascular procedures and minimally invasive surgical treatments for a wide spectrum of vascular conditions as well as minimally invasive and office-based procedures for the treatment of a range of venous diseases. The practice includes Drs. Joshua Eisenberg, Christine Lotto, Jillian Walsh, and Kogulan Nadesakumaran, as well as a team of highly skilled advanced practice providers who bring additional experience to the team. The practice has offices in Newtown, Pennsylvania and Hopewell Township, New Jersey. To schedule an appointment, call 609-537-5600 or visit capitalsurgical.org/vascularsurgery.
The practice is also part of the larger Capital Health Heart and Vascular Institute, which offers comprehensive care with a multi-specialty approach highlighted by the most up-to-date techniques and treatment options. With multiple locations throughout the greater Mercer and Bucks county region, the Institute features the most sophisticated technology guided by highly trained clinical experts in medical fields such as cardiac surgery, cardiac electrophysiology, general and interventional cardiology, nephrology, podiatry, interventional radiology, vascular surgery, and wound management and hyperbaric medicine. For more information, visit www.capitalheartandvascular.org.