Aortic Aneurysm
Thoracic & Abdominal Aorta
Specialized diagnosis and treatment of aortic aneurysms with modern endovascular techniques
What is the Aorta?
Thoracic & Abdominal Aorta
The aorta is the artery (vessel = tube) through which the heart pumps arterial blood to the entire body, giving off branches as it courses through it. In its path through the chest, it is called the Thoracic Aorta, while in its path through the abdominal region, it is called the Abdominal Aorta. It concludes by bifurcating into the two Iliac arteries, each of which supplies blood to one half of the pelvis and the corresponding lower limb.
Mechanism
How an Aneurysm Occurs & What to Avoid
When the walls of the aorta weaken (thin out) and the aorta enlarges with a diameter increase of >50%, this swelling is called an aneurysm. There is a risk of rupture, causing potentially fatal internal bleeding. Risk factors for the development of an aneurysm include smoking, age >65, and a positive family history. Preventive screening with an abdominal aortic ultrasound is vital because, in the majority of cases, an abdominal aortic aneurysm does not cause symptoms before it ruptures.
Main risk factor for aneurysm
Smoking
Increased risk with age
Age >65
Positive family history
Heredity
Therapy
When does an aneurysm require treatment?
If the aneurysm :
Exceeds a critical diameter
a) Critical Diameter
It has a specific morphology associated with a significantly increased risk of rupture.
b) Morphology
Causes symptoms (e.g., back pain) that suggest impending rupture
c) Symptoms
Repair Methods
The aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft
Classic Open Surgery
Minimally invasive with an endograft (covered stent) from the femoral regions
Endovascular Repair
Our Vascular Surgeon has significant experience in the repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms using both methods with excellent results, while the choice of method is personalized to each patient and the specific morphology of their aneurysm.
Specialization
Personalized Treatment for Aortic and Iliac Artery Aneurysms
Additionally, the Vascular Surgeon in charge of Vascular Therapy has also specialized in the endovascular treatment of more complex Thoracoabdominal aneurysms, preserving the aortic branches with specialized techniques such as custom-made fenestrated and/or branched endografts (Fenestrated-EVAR, Branched-EVAR), as well as the full range of CHIMPS techniques (parallel grafts).
Custom-made fenestrated endografts
Fenestrated-EVAR
Branched endografts for complex aneurysms
Branched-EVAR
Parallel grafts for aortic branch preservation.
CHIMPS Techniques
