What is endovascular repair of a thoracic aneurysm?
AI Overview
Endovascular repair of a thoracic aneurysm, also called thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), is a minimally invasive procedure that treats a bulge in the upper aorta. The procedure involves inserting a stent graft into the aorta to strengthen it and prevent it from rupturing. - A surgeon makes a small incision in the groin or arm
- A catheter is inserted into the artery and guided to the aorta
- A stent graft is placed at the aneurysm site
- The stent graft is expanded to reinforce the weakened area of the aorta
- The catheter is removed
- TEVAR is less invasive than open surgery
- TEVAR has shorter hospital stays and quicker recovery times
- TEVAR is the preferred technique over open surgery
- Patients can usually resume many activities after 1–2 weeks
- Full recovery can take up to 4 weeks
- Patients should inform their doctors and dentist about the graft
- TEVAR is recommended when an aneurysm reaches a certain size or is growing quickly
- TEVAR is recommended to prevent rupture, which can be fatal
A "thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair" (TEVAR) procedure involves minimally invasive surgery to repair a weakened area (aneurysm) in the thoracic aorta, the major artery in the chest, by inserting a stent graft through a small incision in the groin, guiding it to the aneurysm site using a catheter, and then expanding it to reinforce the weakened section of the aorta, preventing potential rupture; essentially acting as a "lining" within the artery to stabilize it.
