Is an Endovascular Stent Graft Right for You?

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA)

If you are considering surgery to repair a thoracic aortic aneurysm, you have been told by your doctor that you have an aneurysm in your thoracic aorta that needs repair. This is because your doctor may feel that the aneurysm is getting bigger and there is a risk of it rupturing.

A thoracic aneurysm is a ballooning of your aorta in the area of your chest

Currently, the standard treatment for a thoracic aortic aneurysm is open surgery. In this procedure, the section of the vessel where the aneurysm has formed is replaced with a synthetic graft.

An alternative to open surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm repair is a minimally invasive procedure called thoracic endovascular stent grafting or thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR).

Endovascular stent grafting is called a minimally invasive procedure, because, unlike open surgery, the stents used in endovascular stent grafting are designed to be placed inside the area of the thoracic aneurysm without removing part of the aorta.

Are You a Candidate for Endovascular Stent Grafting?

You may be a candidate for endovascular stent grafting if you are:

18 years of age or older
Not pregnant
Healthy enough to undergo a 2- to 3-hour procedure
Able to attend regularly scheduled office visits with a doctor or radiologist following the procedure, including radiographic imaging studies to evaluate the status of the stent graft and thoracic aneurysm. This includes at least one visit annually for life.
Fully informed about the risks and benefits of the stent graft procedure as compared to open surgical repair

You may not be a good candidate if you have a very large thoracic aortic aneurysm, irregularly shaped thoracic aneurysms or blood vessels, or other conditions that your doctor may discuss with you.

Talk to Your Doctor

It is very important that you talk to your doctor about treatment alternatives for your thoracic aneurysm. Your doctor can provide details about the endovascular stent grafting procedure and whether or not it is right for you.

Next: Your Healthcare Team

Information on this site should not be used as a substitute for talking with your doctor. Always talk with your doctor about diagnosis and treatment information.