How is a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repaired?

Intermountain Healthcare

There are two ways to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA):

Abdominal surgery. A large incision (cut) is made in your abdomen. The weakened aorta section is removed and replaced with a tube made of a special synthetic (man-made) material.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR, also called "stent grafting"). In an EVAR procedure, two catheters (tiny tubes) are inserted into an artery in your leg and threaded up through it to the aorta. The catheters are used to place a tube called a stent graft into the aorta at the area of the aneurysm. The stent graft "lines" the aorta like an inner sleeve and stays in place after the procedure. Blood flows through the graft and doesn't press against the aneurysm.

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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.

Aneurysms

Aneurysms form balloons in weakened arteries of our bodies, potentially causing life-threatening problems such as a stroke. Although aneurysms can form in any weakened artery, they commonly occur in the arteries of the brain and in the aorta, the central artery that extends from your heart through the center of your abdomen and chest. Certain medical conditions, such as high blood pressure, can weaken the arteries, which deliver oxygenated blood from our heart to the rest of our bodies. The pressure of blood traveling through the arteries can lead to this balloon-like bulge. You can have an aneurysm for years without symptoms or problems. Others can have an aneurysm that pops, which can lead to a stroke if bleeding occurs in the brain. Ruptured aneurysms must be treated quickly, usually within minutes, or it can become deadly: about 50% of all ruptured aneurysms are fatal.

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