Patient Education
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Endograft Repair
Abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft repair is a surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm in the abdominal area. An aneurysm is a weak or damaged part of an artery wall that bulges out. The bulge is caused by the normal force of blood pumping through the body. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is an aneurysm that happens in the lower part of the aorta, which is the main artery of the body.
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Gets so large that it might burst, or rupture. A ruptured aneurysm can cause bleeding inside the body, which could put a person’s life in danger.
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Causes symptoms, such as pain in the back, abdomen, or side.
In this procedure, a tube made of fabric and metal mesh (endograft or stent-graft) is placed in the weak part of the aorta to repair it.
Tell a health care provider about:
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Any allergies you have.
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All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.
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Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.
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Any blood disorders you have.
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Any surgeries you have had.
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Any medical conditions you have.
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Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.
What are the risks?
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Infection of the graft or incision area.
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Bleeding during the procedure or from the incision site.
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Allergic reactions to medicines.
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Damage to nearby structures or organs.
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Blood leaking out around the endograft.
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The endograft moving from where it was placed during surgery.
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Blood flow through the graft becoming blocked.
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Blood clots.
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Kidney problems.
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Blocked blood flow to the legs. This is rare.
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Rupture of the aorta, even after a successful endograft repair. This is rare.
What happens before the procedure?
Staying hydrated
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Up to 2 hours before the procedure – you may continue to drink clear liquids, such as water, clear fruit juice, black coffee, and plain tea.
Eating and drinking restrictions
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8 hours before the procedure – stop eating heavy meals or foods, such as meat, fried foods, or fatty foods.
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6 hours before the procedure – stop eating light meals or foods, such as toast or cereal.
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6 hours before the procedure – stop drinking milk or drinks that contain milk.
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2 hours before the procedure – stop drinking clear liquids.
Medicines
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Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.
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Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.
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Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.
Tests
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Blood tests.
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Tests to check your heart rhythm (electrocardiogram, or ECG).
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A stress test, if you have signs of heart problems.
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Ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI to check the size and location of the aneurysm.
General instructions
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Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco for at least 4 weeks before the procedure. These products include cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
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Plan to have someone take you home from the hospital or clinic.
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Plan to have a responsible adult care for you for at least 24 hours after you leave the hospital or clinic. This is important.
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Ask your health care provider:
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How your surgery site will be marked.
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What steps will be taken to help prevent infection. These steps may include:
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Removing hair at the surgery site.
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Washing skin with a germ-killing soap.
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Taking antibiotic medicine.
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What happens during the procedure?
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An IV will be inserted into one of your veins.
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You will be given one or more of the following:
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A medicine to help you relax (sedative).
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A medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
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A medicine to make you fall asleep (general anesthetic).
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A medicine that is injected into an area of your body to numb everything below the injection site (regional anesthetic).
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Small incisions or a puncture will be made on one or both sides of the groin.
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Long, thin tubes (catheters) will be passed through the incisions and moved up into the aneurysm in the aorta.
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With the help of X-ray pictures, your health care provider will guide the endograft through the catheter to the location of the aneurysm.
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The endograft will be released to seal off the aneurysm and to line the aorta. The endograft will stay in place and will not be taken out.
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X-rays will be used to make sure that the endograft is placed correctly.
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The catheter will be taken out, and the incision will be closed with stitches (sutures).
The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.
What happens after the procedure?
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Your blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and blood oxygen level will be monitored until you leave the hospital or clinic.
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You will lie flat for a number of hours, without bending your legs.
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You will be urged to get up and move around a number of times each day and to slowly become more active.
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You will be given medicines to control pain.
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Certain tests may be done to check:
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The correct placement of the endograft.
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How well the endograft is working.
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If you were given a sedative during the procedure, it can affect you for several hours. Do not drive or operate machinery until your health care provider says that it is safe.
Summary
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Abdominal aortic aneurysm endograft repair is a surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm in the abdominal area.
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This procedure is safe. However, problems may occur, including infection, bleeding, blood clots, or damage to nearby organs.
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Your surgeon will make small incisions or a puncture on one or both sides of the groin, pass catheters through the incisions, and guide the endograft through the catheter to the location of the aneurysm.
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The endograft will be released to seal off the aneurysm and to line the aorta.
This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.
