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Brigham and Women's Hospital

Our Mission

Brigham and Women’s Hospital, a top Harvard Medical School teaching hospital, is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of America’s Best Hospitals. Our innovations in virtually every area of clinical care, along with our history of breakthrough discoveries and medical firsts, have improved the health of people around the world.

Activity

  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What can happen if I have an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA)?
    With an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- the aorta is under constant pressure as blood is ejected from the heart. With each heartbeat, the walls of the aorta distend (expand) and then recoil (spring back), e...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are the different types of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery?
    An abdominal aortic aneurysm, also called AAA or triple A, is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta.

    There are two approaches to abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair. The standard surgical procedure for AAA repair is called the open repair. A newer procedure is the endovascular...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    How is an abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair (AAA) performed?
    Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- involves an incision of the abdomen to directly visualize the aortic aneurysm. The procedure is performed in an operating room under general anesthesia....  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What factors are considered in the search for a face transplant donor?
    There are a lot of factors to consider when looking for an appropriate face transplant donor, and we work closely with the New England Organ Bank (NEOB) to help us with this challenging search. Here are just a few of the characteristics that we evaluate:
    • There is a limit to the age disc
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)?
    Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive (without a large abdominal incision) procedure performed to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body). EVAR may be performed in an operating room, ra...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    Why is an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair performed?
    Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- involves an incision of the abdomen to directly visualize the aortic aneurysm. Reasons an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair may be performed include,...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are the benefits of hand transplant surgery?
    The potential benefits of hand transplant surgery are unique and life changing. Here are a few of these significant benefits:
    • Improved functionality - Hand transplant surgery can restore the physical functionality of the hands, including tactile sensation, the ability to perform daily a
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are possible complications of an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)?
    Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive (without a large abdominal incision) procedure performed to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body). As with any surgical procedure, complications...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What are the complications of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair?
    Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- involves an incision of the abdomen to directly visualize the aortic aneurysm. As with any surgical procedure, complications can occur in AAA open repair....  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens before an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair?
    Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- involves an incision of the abdomen to directly visualize the aortic aneurysm. Before the procedure:
    • Your physician will explain the procedure to you
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens during an abdominal aortic aneurysm repair?
    Open repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) -- involves an incision of the abdomen to directly visualize the aortic aneurysm. Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair requires a stay in a hospital. Procedures...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens before an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)?
    Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive (without a large abdominal incision) procedure performed to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta (the largest artery in the body). Before the procedure:
    • Your physician will explain
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is hand transplantation surgery?
    Hand transplantation surgery, the transfer of the hand(s) from a deceased human donor to a patient with amputation of one or both hands, is an experimental reconstructive procedure that has the potential to significantly improve the lives of hand amputees.  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What happens during an endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR)?
    Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a procedure performed to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm -- a bulging, weakened area in the wall of the aorta. Generally, an EVAR follows this process:
    1. An intravenous (IV) line will be started in your arm or hand. Additional catheters will be inserted
    ...  Full Post
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
    Brigham and Women's Hospital answered:
    What is an anticoagulant?
    An anticoagulant (anti means against, and coagulant refers to blood clotting) or "blood thinner" helps reduce the risk of clots forming in the blood. Your physician will give you an anticoagulant if he/she has determined that you have a medical condition that requires treatment with a med...  Full Post