Our Program
At the USC Genetic Aortic and Related Disorders (GARD) Center, experts in inherited connective tissue disease and cardiovascular disorders work collaboratively to provide early education, intervention and genetic counseling to help you stay healthy and live at your best.
We offer personalized care plans for people with:
- Bicuspid aortic valve
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (multiple types)
- Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm/dissection
- Loeys-Dietz syndrome
- Marfan syndrome
- Osteogenesis imperfecta
- Turner syndrome
- Other genetic and familial connective tissue disorders
Because many inherited cardiovascular and connective tissue diseases affect the aorta, patients at the USC GARD Center have access to the nationally recognized clinical excellence of the USC Comprehensive Aortic Center. The USC Comprehensive Aortic Center offers diagnosis, emergency transport and surgical treatment of acute aortic dissections as well as elective aortic surgery, including valve-sparing aortic root procedures.
Our Approach
We offer a suite of specialized medical and surgical services designed especially for patients with inherited connective tissue disease and cardiovascular disorders. Our team coordinates care between medical and surgical specialties and takes a collaborative, patient-centered approach.
Our program is designed to provide the kind of comprehensive care that patients with these rare inherited conditions need to stay well, and our specialists work together to provide them a full spectrum of care.
The USC GARD Center offers experts in:
- Aortic disease
- Cardiology
- Medical genetics
- Ophthalmology
- Orthopaedics
- Pain medicine
- Physical therapy
- Primary care
- Pulmonary medicine
Our Physicians

Practicing Locations
Keck Medicine of USC - PasadenaUSC Eye Institute (Arcadia)
USC Roski Eye Institute (Los Angeles)
Specializing In
Ophthalmology

Practicing Locations
Children's Hospital Los AngelesKeck Hospital of USC
Keck Medicine of USC - Pasadena
USC Healthcare Center 2
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Specializing In
Cardiac Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Thoracic Surgery

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Healthcare Center 1
Specializing In
Cardiac Surgery, Cardiothoracic Surgery, Endovascular Surgery

Specializing In
Pulmonary Critical Care, Pulmonology

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Healthcare Center 2
Specializing In
Vascular Surgery, Endovascular Surgery

Practicing Locations
USC Roski Eye Institute (Los Angeles)Specializing In
Ophthalmology

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Specializing In
Cardiology

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCNorris Healthcare Center HC3
USC Healthcare Center 2
Specializing In
Hip and Knee Orthopedic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center
Specializing In
Podiatric Medicine and Surgery

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Healthcare Center 2
Specializing In
Electrophysiology, Cardiac Imaging, Arrhythmias

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCUSC Care Medical Group
USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center

Practicing Locations
Keck Hospital of USCKeck Medicine of USC – Glendale
Norris Healthcare Center HC3
Toyota Sports Performance Center
USC Healthcare Center 2
USC Verdugo Hills Hospital
Specializing In
Arthroscopic Knee Surgery and Ligament Reconstruction (ACL Surgery), Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery (Rotator Cuff Shoulder Instability), total and reverse shoulder replacement, cartilage preservation procedures, and Hip Arthroscopy