Strong Heart and Vascular Center

Division of Cardiac Surgery

Endovascular Repair of Aortic Aneurysms

For the treatment of aortic aneurysms, the Strong Heart and Vascular Center offers a less traumatic surgical procedure called endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms offers enormous benefits over traditional surgery. Traditional surgery requires a large incision in the abdomen in order to reach the blood vessel. With endovascular surgery, we can gain access to the aneurysm through two tiny incisions.

Compared to traditional surgery for abdominal aortic aneurysm, endovascular repair delivers many benefits, including:

Also, endovascular surgery makes aneurysm repair a viable option for people unable to withstand traditional surgery because of age, health, or likelihood of cardiac or pulmonary complications.

How does endovascular repair work?

We insert an expandable tube into the aneurysm through an artery in the groin. Then, we insert special instruments through two tiny incisions in the groin. Using x-ray images to guide us, we repair the aneurysm by placing a graft just above and below the aneurysm. After surgery, you should be able to go home in a few days.

The primary risk with endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms is a slight increase in repeat aneurysms. With traditional surgery, there’s little chance of recurrence. With endovascular repair, the graft can move over time and the aneurysm may appear again. To prevent this, patients are required to come in for evaluations and CT (or CAT) scans twice a year.

Our surgeons who perform endovascular repair of aortic aneurysms

Contact Us

For more information or to refer a patient for a consultation, call us at 585-275-5384.