.png)
.png)
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Aortic aneurysm repair treats a weakened, widened part of the body's main artery. The type of repair depends on the aneurysm's location and the shape of the surrounding arteries. These operations take place in hospital.
The aorta carries blood from the heart through the chest and abdomen. An aneurysm is a widened section where the artery wall has weakened. Many are found on a scan for another reason, before they cause symptoms. Repair aims to reduce the risk of the aneurysm rupturing (bursting).
The location helps determine which surgical team and type of treatment you need:
Some aneurysms extend across more than one section.
Sudden, severe chest, back or abdominal pain, or collapse, needs emergency care. Call triple zero (000). This can be a sign of a rupture or a tear in the aorta's inner wall, called an aortic dissection. Don't wait for a referral or drive yourself to hospital.
Call triple zero (000) for severe, worsening or persistent chest pain, or chest discomfort with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to your arm, jaw or back.
Do not wait for a routine appointment or drive yourself to hospital.
Scans show the aneurysm's shape and where nearby arteries branch off, so the surgeon can plan the repair.
You're asleep under a general anaesthetic while the surgeon reaches the aorta through a cut in the chest or abdomen. The damaged section is repaired with a permanent fabric tube called a graft.
In a typical abdominal repair, the surgeon opens the aneurysm and stitches the graft to healthy artery above and below it. Blood then travels through the graft, and the remaining aneurysm wall is closed around it.
Surgery at the aortic root replaces the affected aorta beside the heart. Your own aortic valve may be kept or may need replacing. A heart-lung machine supplies oxygenated blood while the heart is temporarily stopped for this operation.
A fabric-covered metal tube, called a stent graft, is carried through an artery, usually from the groin, inside a delivery tube. X-ray images guide it into position. The stent graft is opened across the aneurysm, with its ends sealing against suitable artery beyond the widened section. Blood flows through the graft instead of pressing directly on the weakened wall. The delivery tube is removed; the stent graft and aneurysm remain.
This is called EVAR for abdominal aneurysms and TEVAR for thoracic aneurysms. The arteries must allow the graft to be delivered, and its position must preserve blood supply to important branches. Some complex repairs combine open and endovascular techniques.
Endovascular repair may use a general anaesthetic. Some abdominal repairs can use local or spinal anaesthesia instead, so you may be awake with the area numb. The anaesthetist confirms your plan.
A smaller aneurysm without symptoms may be monitored with regular scans to see whether it's growing. Repair may become appropriate as it gets larger, grows quickly or causes symptoms. Repair is often preventive, so it may be recommended while you feel well.
The surgeon weighs the risk of rupture against the risks of an operation, taking into account the aneurysm's location, your health and any inherited condition affecting the artery wall. There isn't one size threshold that applies to every part of the aorta or every person.
Repair treats the affected section of the aorta. Follow-up checks are still needed to assess the repair and the rest of the artery.
After an endovascular repair, scans check the stent graft's position and whether blood is still entering the aneurysm around it. This is called an endoleak. Some endoleaks can be watched; others need another procedure. An endoleak may cause no symptoms, which is why feeling well doesn't replace follow-up imaging.
Your specialist will set the scan schedule, which usually continues long term, particularly after a stent graft. Blood pressure treatment and help to stop smoking remain part of care when needed, even after a successful repair.
The hospital team checks your heart, lungs and kidney function as needed. Tell them about your medicines, including blood thinners, and any previous reaction to contrast dye or an anaesthetic. Follow their fasting and medicine instructions. Don't stop a medicine unless the treating team tells you to.
Both approaches carry risks, including bleeding, infection, kidney injury and damage to blood vessels. Serious complications can include heart attack or stroke, and some can be life-threatening. Depending on the section being repaired, reduced blood supply can injure the bowel or spinal cord. Your surgeon should explain which risks apply to your operation and health, and how they compare with the risk of rupture without repair.
After open repair, you'll usually spend time in intensive care. Staff closely monitor your blood pressure, breathing and kidney function. Drips give fluids and medicines, and a tube drains urine from your bladder. After root surgery, you may initially be asleep with a breathing tube connected to a ventilator and drains around the heart. These are removed as you recover.
With an uncomplicated endovascular repair, monitoring may take place on a surgical ward. Your groin wounds can feel sore or bruised. Staff help you start walking when it's safe.
Open repair usually means a longer recovery because the larger chest or abdominal wound also needs to heal. Pain relief helps you breathe deeply and move, with support from nurses and physiotherapists. After open abdominal surgery, food and drink may restart gradually as the bowel recovers.
Before you leave, confirm the advice on driving, lifting and returning to work. If your breastbone was opened, you'll be shown how to protect it while it heals. Tell the team if you need help at home.
Your GP or specialist can refer you to a Heartscope cardiologist to discuss an aortic aneurysm and any related heart or valve problems. If repair may be needed, the cardiologist can refer you to the appropriate hospital surgical team. Aortic aneurysm repairs aren't performed at Heartscope clinics. The clinic can answer questions about your referral and the consultation.
Consultations are privately billed. If you're eligible, Medicare pays part of the consultation fee when you have a valid referral from your GP or specialist. The clinic will confirm the amount left to pay before the visit.
Hospital and procedure fees are separate from the Heartscope consultation. The hospital or treating provider confirms these costs.
Heartscope cardiologists see patients at clinics in Melbourne and Queensland. If you have a referral, our team can confirm the location and appointment details.
View clinic locationsNo. Repairs are performed in hospital by a surgical team. Heartscope cardiologists may be able to see patients with a valid referral from their GP or specialist, and can refer you for hospital treatment when appropriate.
A stent graft needs suitable artery to form a secure seal without blocking important branches. An aneurysm close to the heart, or an aorta with an unsuitable shape, may need open surgery.
Some aortic conditions run in families. If a relative has had an aneurysm or aortic dissection, tell your doctor, who can advise whether close relatives need scans or assessment for an inherited condition.
.svg)
