The aorta is the main blood vessel in your body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm: Endovascular RepairThe aorta is the main blood vessel in your body. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body.The ascending aorta begins at your heart and arches toward your back. The thoracic aorta travels down along your spine toward your belly. Your abdominal aorta starts near your kidneys and ends in your pelvis. There, it divides into two arteries that go down your legs.An aortic aneurysm is a weak spot in your aorta that bulges or balloons outward.Aortic aneurysm is a serious medical condition. An aneurysm that ruptures or tears can cause uncontrolled bleeding inside your body, and death.If your aneurysm is small or slow growing, your health care provider may suggest watching it closely. But once your aneurysm reaches a certain size, the chances that it will rupture increase and you'll need to have it repaired.Depending on the size and location of your aneurysm, you'll either have open surgery or an endovascular repair. An endovascular repair uses two small incisions in your groin. This procedure may be recommended if you are older or have other health problems that would make recovery from open surgery more difficult.Before the ProcedureYour provider will explain what happens during an endovascular repair. He or she will also talk with you about any risks or complications that may happen. This is the time to ask any questions you have.You'll be asked to sign a consent form that gives your health care provider permission to do the procedure. Read the form carefully and ask questions if anything is not clear.Your provider will also give you instructions about how to prepare for your surgery. Don't eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery.Tell your healthcare provider about all of the medications and supplements you take and if you have any allergies. Ask your healthcare provider ahead of time if there are any medications you should stop taking before your surgery.What to ExpectYou are given medication to help you relax and to prevent pain. You may be given general anesthesia to make you sleep. Or you may have epidural anesthesia. This medication blocks pain in the area where the surgeon will work.An IV line is put into a vein in your arm or hand to supply fluids and medications.Once you are asleep or the area is numb, your surgeon makes a small incision in your groin. He or she then places a thin, flexible tube called a catheter into an artery in your leg.He or she will guide the catheter to the aneurysm, with the help of special X-rays. Your surgeon uses the catheter to place the graft inside your aneurysm. A thin metal brace, called a stent, is expanded inside your artery. This holds the graft in place. The graft and stent reinforce the weakened area.Over time, your aneurysm may shrink.After the ProcedureAfter the procedure, you'll be taken to your hospital room, where you will be closely watched. When your healthcare provider says it's OK to leave the hospital, you will need to have an adult family member or friend drive you home.Generally, an endovascular repair requires a much shorter hospital stay.Once you're home from the hospital, follow all instructions from your healthcare provider about the care of your incision, your medications, and return to activity.Because your surgeon doesn't remove the aneurysm during an endovascular repair, you will need to have your aneurysm checked on a regular basis. There is still a small chance that your aneurysm will continue to grow or rupture. It's also possible for the graft to move.Things to RememberEndovascular aneurysm repair uses catheters and small incisions to place a stent graft inside your aneurysm.The graft is permanent.Even after your aneurysm is repaired, you will still need regular follow-up testing.What We Have LearnedEndovascular aneurysm repair requires a large incision in your chest. True or False? The answer is false. This procedure uses 2 small incisions in the groin.The graft is put in place temporarily until another procedure can be done. True or False? The answer is false. The graft is permanent.
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