Minimally invasive treatment offers new hope for patients with life-threatening thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms, reinforcing the hospital’s leadership in advanced cardiovascular care
VALHALLA, N.Y. (August 11, 2025) – Westchester Medical Center, a member of the Westchester Medical Center Health Network, the pre-eminent provider of integrated health care in New York’s Hudson Valley region, has achieved a major milestone in cardiovascular care as the first hospital in the region to perform the innovative TAMBE (Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis) procedure. This is a groundbreaking, FDA-approved, and minimally invasive treatment that offers new hope to patients with thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA)—a life-threatening condition that previously required high-risk open heart surgery and a lengthy recovery. With this advancement, WMCHealth continues to lead the way in delivering patient-centered and cutting-edge care for the region’s most complex medical cases.
Left untreated, TAAAs can be dangerous and can lead to a life-threatening rupture in the aorta and extensive surgery. TAMBE is the first FDA-approved, off-the-shelf, endovascular repair solution for the treatment of TAAA that can help patients avoid open heart surgery. The procedure uses a modular, branched device that is deployed in the aorta to create a new pathway for blood to flow. TAMBE is delivered through a small puncture in the femoral and brachial arteries, using live imaging to guide placement.
“When it comes to treating TAAA, TAMBE is much less invasive than open surgery, making it a better option for many patients,” said Igor Laskowski, MD, the vascular surgeon at Westchester Medical Center who performed the first TAMBE procedure at the hospital. “Most patients who undergo the TAMBE procedure will have shorter hospital stays and can go home within a few days of surgery, compared to weeks of recovery after open surgery. Bringing TAMBE to the Hudson Valley is a game-changer for patients with these types of complex aneurysms who would otherwise have limited treatment options.”
TAAA is often caused by hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis), high blood pressure, blood vessel diseases, dissection of the aorta, trauma from injury, and genetic conditions. Risk factors for developing TAAA include smoking, a family history of aortic disease, and age. TAAA often develops slowly over time without symptoms, but symptoms may include a deep pain in the abdomen or side of the body, back pain, throbbing pain near the belly button, or sudden and severe pain. TAAA is often detected during routine medical tests. Treatment for TAAA depends on the location and severity of the condition.
To make an appointment with a doctor who can diagnose and treat TAAA or to make a referral, call 914-493-7000 or visit https://www.wmchealth.org/find-a-doctor/.