When patients hear they have an aortic aneurysm, they can become confused or even scared by this diagnosis. It is important they understand what an aortic aneurysm is and what treatment options are available.
An aortic aneurysm is a localized enlargement in any part of the largest artery in the body. As the aneurysm grows, the wall becomes weaker and may ultimately require surgical treatment to prevent rupture. Surgery for aortic aneurysms has rapidly evolved over the past three decades, primarily because of the revolutionary introduction of minimally invasive endovascular, or catheter-based, interventions.
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR), which were introduced in the 1990s, changed how the majority of aneurysms are treated by offering definitive treatment using a small puncture site in each groin rather than a traditional open surgery which requires a long abdominal incision. This allows most patients to be discharged home the day after surgery.
As the technology has advanced, increasingly complex aneurysms can now be treated by endovascular means using branched and fenestrated endografts. However, there remains a role for open surgery in young patients or those with complex aneurysms not amenable to endovascular repair. Some vascular conditions can also be treated using both open and endovascular techniques, also known as the hybrid approach.
Fortunately, the Central Valley has all the resources necessary to treat complex aortic disease. The vascular surgeons at Valley Vascular Surgery Associates can tailor the appropriate treatment of aortic aneurysms, whether open, endovascular, or hybrid, to each patient using the most cutting-edge technology.
Sammy Siada, DO
About the Author: Sammy Siada, DO, is a vascular surgery expert who provides services at Valley Vascular Surgery Associates. Dr. Siada holds a faculty appointment with University of California, San Francisco in the UCSF Fresno Department of Surgery.
For more information about Dr. Siada and Valley Vascular Surgery Associates, please click here.