Dr. Claire Allen specializes in supporting complex endovascular thoracic aortic surgeries

Dr. Claire Allen, MD, a new member of the Libin Cardiovascular Institute, has found the perfect niche. 

She is an anesthesiologist whose practice focuses on vascular surgery at Calgary’s Peter Lougheed Centre (PLC) with a research focus on hemodynamic management in thoracic endovascular aortic repair and an interest in novel intraoperative blood management strategies. 

Allen completed medical school at the University of Alberta followed by residency training at the University of Calgary. She has certification in advanced perioperative transesophageal echocardiography. 

As vascular anesthesia rotation coordinator within the Calgary anesthesia residency program, she is also actively involved in medical education. 

Allen says working with members of the Calgary Aortic Program, a collaboration that focuses on complex aortic surgery, is fulfilling. 

“With the evolving surgical techniques used, there is much interplay and collaboration between surgeon and anesthesiologist – more than in most areas of anesthesia,” she says. “It’s fascinating, demanding and intellectually rewarding.” 

According to Allen, the PLC receives a higher-than-average volume of patients for endovascular thoracic aortic surgery. This allows clinicians to gain more expertise and researchers to take advantage of larger, more robust data sets.

Allen is working on several research projects, including one investigating the use of right atrial occlusion in patients undergoing proximal thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) procedures—complex surgeries involving using a stent graft to repair or reinforce the aorta. The goal of this work is to inform clinical care and ensure optimal outcomes for patients.  

Working with vascular surgeon Dr. Kenton Rommens, Allen is also helping develop a new approach to quickly transfuse a patient’s own blood during major open aortic surgeries at the PLC. This could help better control severe bleeding during these high-risk procedures.

The aim of this blood management initiative is to reduce perioperative complications and reduce the use of banked blood products. 

Allen’s other area of interest is women’s health. 

She is the anesthesia lead for the Women’s Health Centre at the PLC and is passionate about increasing women’s access to sedation and pain management. 

“We have undervalued the need for pain management for women’s procedures for years,” says Allen. “There are major gaps in our health system for women, and it’s multilayered and complicated. I am looking to help change that.” 

Allen is open to collaboration. Contact her at Claire.Allen@albertahealthservices.ca.