Sharo S. Raissi, MD, FACS, FCCP
Medical Director, Thoracic Aortic Surgery
Dr. Sharo Raissi, Medical Director of Thoracic Aortic Surgery, is
board certified in cardiothoracic surgery, general surgery, and
surgical critical care. His practice offers state-of-the-art procedures
in both heart and thoracic aortic surgery using minimally invasive
techniques.
For heart patients, procedures frequently performed include on or
off-pump arterial bypass surgery, heart valve repair or replacement,
and the Maze procedure for arrhythmias. These cardiac procedures may be
combined, when needed, with surgery on the thoracic aorta.
For those with thoracic aortic disease (TAD), Dr. Raissi's thoracic
aortic surgery program provides a comprehensive continuum of care,
following individuals and families on a long-term basis. Emphasis is
placed on blood pressure optimization, healthy and active lifestyles,
surgery when needed, and ongoing monitoring.
Thoracic aortic disease generally involves aneurysm (enlargement or
bulging) or dissection (tearing) of the aorta in the chest. The aorta
is the body's largest artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood directly from
the heart. Surgery on the thoracic aorta typically consists of
replacement of the diseased section of aorta with a Dacron graft. A
less invasive approach called TEVAR, in which a stent is placed inside
the aorta, may be used for the descending aorta in selected patients.
Thoracic aortic disease may be associated with genetic conditions
affecting connective tissue in the body, as well as other underlying
causes such as hypertension or inflammation. Genetic conditions
associated with thoracic aortic disease include bicuspid aortic valves,
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, Marfan syndrome, familial TAAD, and other
connective tissue disorders. Heart valves, such as the aortic and
mitral valves, may also be affected.
Dr. Raissi completed his medical and surgical education in New York.
Following graduation from State University of New York (SUNY),
Downstate School of Medicine, he continued with training in surgery and
cardiothoracic surgery at Mount Sinai School of Medicine. During his
residency at Mt. Sinai, he began his work on the thoracic aorta under
the guidance of Dr. Randall Griepp, whose aortic surgery program is
known throughout the world for its pioneering achievements in thoracic
aortic surgery. It was while at Mt. Sinai in New York that Dr. Raissi
developed the open anastomosis in conjunction with complete resection
technique, which is required for full removal of the ascending aorta
and proximal aortic arch. Following his studies in New York, in 1988 he
joined the cardiac surgery group at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los
Angeles, establishing a thoracic aortic surgery program there. In
August 2009, he accepted the Directorship of the Thoracic Aortic
Surgery Program at Torrance Memorial Medical Center. Born in Armenia,
Dr. Raissi returns there on charitable heart surgery missions. He is
also Co-founder of the Bicuspid Aortic Foundation and Chairman of its
Scientific Board.
Patients and families wishing to arrange a consultation with Dr. Raissi may do so by calling 310-378-8400.