Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair
What is it?
Endovascular repair is a type of treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, which is a bulge in the wall of the large artery below your heart.
The large artery is called the aorta. The bulge is caused by a weak section in the artery wall. The bulge is at risk of tearing.
During the procedure, the weak section of the aorta is treated to prevent it from tearing.
The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It leads from your heart down through the inside of your chest and belly (abdomen). The section that goes through the abdomen is called the abdominal aorta. The walls of your aorta are normally thick enough to handle the force of the blood pressure from the heart.
But some health problems can damage the walls of the aorta. This can cause a balloon-like bulge in the wall of the aorta called an aneurysm. In some cases, an aneurysm can start to split or even burst which can result in death.
How does endovascular repair work?
Endovascular repair is a minimally invasive procedure done with a small cut (incision). It is often done under general anesthesia, so you sleep through the procedure.
During the procedure, a Dr Tsotetsi will make an incision through an artery in your groin. A thin, flexible tube (catheter) is threaded up through the artery and to the site of the aortic aneurysm.
A stent graft is sent along the catheter to the aneurysm. The stent graft is a tube made of a thin metal mesh (the stent), covered with a thin polyester fabric (the graft).
This stent graft is opened inside the aorta and fastened in place. The stent graft stays in place, and blood flows through it. It protects that part of the aorta, and prevents the aneurysm from bursting.