Endovascular treatment of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
What is it?
Aneurysm of the thoraco-abdominal aorta is a dilation, often asymptomatic, of more than 50% of the normal caliber of the vessel.
When is this procedure indicated?
The main cause is atherosclerosis, due to the deposition of cholesterol in the arteries typical of aging. More rarely, it is due to genetic disorders affecting the connective tissue (Marfan, Ehler-Danlos, ..), from trauma or infection. Over the years, the size of the aneurysm tends to increase gradually, when it reaches excessive diameters, to its rupture, resulting in hemorrhage and often death. It is usually discovered occasionally during other investigations (eg, chest X-ray, ultrasound abdomen), but the precise diagnosis is made by angioTC.
How is it performed?
Under general anesthesia, by means of a percutaneous puncture from the groin and/or arms, using guide wires and catheters, an endoprosthesis with windows that perfect the flow at the level of the kidneys and intestines (F-EVAR) or with branches (B-EVAR) is released at the level of the aneurysm. The purpose of this procedure is to exclude the aneurysmal aorta from the bloodstream, thus preventing its rupture.
Recovery
After the procedure, the patient is monitored for a few days in the ward, and then discharged. At home, he/she can gradually resume all daily activities.
Short-term complications
Paraplegia, renal failure, intestinal ischemia, bleeding, pseudoaneurysms at percutaneous access site, stroke, cardiac and pulmonary complications.
Long-term complications
Endoleak, or reperfusion of the aneurysmal sac; infections of the prosthesis.
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