October
Anatomy of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
At times, the initial treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm is to wait and monitor. There are many risks to performing surgery on the aorta, so many surgeons prefer to wait. If necessary, the team at Brookhaven Heart may recommend repair surgery. The two primary options are a traditional open surgery and the less invasive endovascular aneurysm repair.
Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)
This procedure is becoming more popular due to its minimally invasive nature. Incisions are made in each groin first to access the femoral arteries. The doctor will use special instruments and X-ray guidance to insert a stent graft into the aorta through the femoral artery. This tube starts collapsed and is expanded into a tube shape at the location of an aneurysm. It attaches to support the wall of the aorta, and the aneurysm will end up shrinking in size onto the graft.
Open Surgical Repair
Though EVAR is increasing in popularity, open surgical repair is still the standard procedure. The doctor will access an aneurysm directly by opening the abdomen. Repair is also done using a graft, which is sutured to one end of the aorta, spans the length of an aneurysm, and is connected to the other end.
Reasons for Surgery
Depending on your specific case, there are a variety of reasons your doctor may wind up recommending surgical repair.
- Surgery can relieve symptoms and restore proper blood flow
- Repair prevents future risk of aneurysm rupture
- An aneurysm is large or growing at a risky rate
- Emergency necessitates surgery, such as life-threatening hemorrhage
If you have been diagnosed with an abdominal aortic aneurysm and surgery has been recommended, your doctor can help you understand the best procedure based on your case and medical history. You can schedule an appointment with the team at Brookhaven Heart online or call us today at 631-654-3278.
