Aortic Aneurysm Treatment
"In cases of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm, the Clinica performs, when indicated, the repair by means of endovascular techniques".
DR. GREGORIO RÁBAGO JUAN-ARACIL DIRECTOR. CARDIAC SURGERY DEPARTMENT
Aneurysms are localized and permanent dilations that occur in veins and arteries, caused by a degeneration of the wall. Although they can appear anywhere, they are frequently located in the abdominal aorta.
Most patients who suffer this injury are men over 60 years with atherosclerotic risk factors such as smoking. Other circumstances that predispose to suffer an aneurysm are: obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, sedentary life and hypercholesterolemia.
Currently, since there is no effective medical treatment for aortic aneurysms, the only solution is surgery.
The size of the dilation in the artery is the main criterion for establishing the pattern of action. Thus, surgery is indicated for aneurysms larger than 5 cm. or that grow more than 1 cm. per year, as well as for all those that are symptomatic.
When is aortic aneurysm treatment indicated?
Aneurysms can appear anywhere, but their most frequent location is the abdominal aorta.
The most frequent cause is atherosclerosis. They can also have an infectious cause or be the result of previous trauma.
As for their symptoms, 75% of patients with an abdominal aortic aneurysm are asymptomatic. When the disease causes symptoms, it is usually non-specific abdominal discomfort or low back pain. In 25% of cases the first clinical manifestation is the rupture of the aneurysm.
Most frequent indications for this treatment:
Have you been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm?
Your aneurysm may have a surgical indication
How is aortic aneurysm treatment performed?
Today there are two basic surgical techniques for this dilation of the aortic artery.
The first consists of resection of the aneurysm and replacement with a synthetic graft. Although it is a relevant intervention and not without risk, the results are excellent in most cases.
However, endoluminal repair by means of endoprosthesis is becoming increasingly common. This type of intervention has the advantages of minimal surgical trauma, the absence of blood transfusions and the reduced number of hours the patient remains in the intensive care unit.
Stents are devices made of flexible material in a tubular form that are implanted inside the artery with the aim of strengthening the area affected by the aneurysm.
The procedure consists of introducing the folded device inside the femoral artery until it reaches the aorta. Once the surgeon has managed to reach the dilated area, he opens and implants the prosthesis and thus achieves an internal reinforcement of the arterial wall.
Where do we do it?
IN NAVARRA AND MADRID
The Department of Cardiac Surgery
of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra
The Cardiac Surgery Department of the Clinic is backed by its extensive experience of more than 50 years. It is a pioneer in the introduction of the most complex procedures and the most avant-garde techniques.
Our surgeons are specialists trained in international reference centers, which combine the application of the latest techniques with personalized treatment to our patients.
We also have a team of highly specialized nurses, both in surgical and clinical aspects.
Treatments we perform
- Coronary surgery
- Valve surgery
- Thoracic aortic surgery
- Atrial Fibrillation Surgery
- Heart failure surgery
- Heart transplantation
Why at the Clinica?
- Pioneers in advanced procedures and techniques.
- Implantation of the first total artificial heart in Spain in 2016.
- Specialists trained in international centers of reference at national level.
