Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm is a type of treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm which is done to treat the weak section of the aorta to prevent it from tearing
Some facts about Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
- Endovascular repair has a lower risk of complications as much smaller incision is used in it than open surgery
- The procedure may benefit older adults who have a higher risk of complications.
- Endovascular repair also lead to faster recovery.
- An abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA which is a bulge in the wall of the large artery below your heart can be treated with Endovascular repair.
- Endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is required if your AAA is over 5 centimeters or getting larger.
- This procedure is also needed if your AAA is at risk of splitting or bursting.
- A medical procedure is generally not required for a small abdominal aortic aneurysm, if an aneurysm is less than 5 cm and is not getting larger as smaller aneurysms are less likely to burst or split.
- Your health and give medicines will be closely watched to lower the risk of aneurysm rupture.
Preparation for Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
- Inform your provider if you have allergies or if you’ve ever had a problem with sedation.
- Inform your provider if you are pregnant or think you might be pregnant.
- Eating or drinking anything after midnight the night before your surgery should be avoided.
- Some blood tests will be done to check for anemia and infection.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)is done to check your heart rhythm.
- Echocardiography is done to look at the size of your aneurysm.
- Detailed images of your aneurysm will be created by CT scan.
- More detail about your aneurysm will be provided by Angiography.
Procedure for Endovascular Repair of an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm:
- The procedure will be performed by a vascular surgeon and a team of specialized healthcare providers.
- General anesthesia will likely be given to prevent pain and causes you to sleep through the procedure.
- Your vital signs, like your heart rate and blood pressure, will be carefully watched during the procedure.
- A small cut will be made by your surgeon in your groin and into an artery there.
- A thin, flexible tube (catheter) will be then inserted into the artery.
- The catheter will be gently guided all the way to site of the aneurysm.
- Moving X-ray pictures will be used by the surgeon to get to the right spot.
- A stent graft which is a tube made of a thin metal mesh, covered with a thin polyester fabric is sent along the catheter to the aneurysm.
- The tube is collapsed. So it is narrow and can fit through your blood vessel.
- The stent graft is opened up and fastened in place when it reaches the aorta.
- The stent graft then stays in place, through which blood flows which protects that part of the aorta, and prevents the aneurysm from bursting.
- The incision in your groin will be closed and a small bandage is put on the wound after removing the catheter.
