The aorta is the main artery in the abdomen. An aneurysm is a dilation of the aorta caused by a weakening of the wall. The larger an aneurysm is, the more likely it is to rupture. A ruptured AAA is usually fatal. When abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) get larger than 5.0 cm. (about two inches), or more than twice as large as the patient.s normal aorta, most doctors recommend that they be treated.

The traditional treatment for an AAA is a large operation where the abdomen is opened and a new aorta is sewn in place. This can be especially dangerous for patients who are elderly or have heart or lung disease.

There is now an interventional radiology procedure that can treat AAAs with much less risk at the time of surgery. It involves placement of a stent-graft. The procedure is done in the operating room. A surgeon performs incisions in the groins to access the arteries. Dr. Wilson then threads the stent-graft through the arteries into the aorta. When the stent-graft is deployed, it directs the bloodflow through the AAA without allowing the blood to get into it. This takes the pressure off of the AAA and prevents it from rupturing.

The serious complications than can occur in traditional open surgery, such as heart attack, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and so forth are less common with a stent-graft. The recovery time is also much less. Most people are up walking in the hall the next day after a stent-graft and go home in two days. Patients are usually in the hospital seven to 10 days after open surgery.

A stent-graft requires close follow-up with a CT scan every year. The CT scan is done to make sure that there is no bloodflow getting to the AAA. If there is some blood flowing to the AAA and the AAA is enlarging, the patient may need another interventional radiology type of procedure, but usually not a large operation.

Dr. Wilson can determine if a stent-graft is right for you. Call our office for an appointment (870)425-3737.

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Intra-Operative

Post-Operative

Stent-grafts