Abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs when a weakness develops in the wall of the aorta, the main blood vessel of the body, as it runs through the abdomen. The bulge in the aorta can rupture, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. Small aneurysms can be closely monitored because the risk of rupture is low, according to the Merck Manual. But larger or fast-growing aneurysms require surgical repair. A stent graft in the aorta reinforces the wall in the area of the bulge to prevent a potentially fatal rupture.
Function
A type of surgery called endovascular repair to place an abdominal aortic stent can treat a dangerous aneurysm without the risks of major surgery. With this procedure, the bulge remains in place, but the stent graft, a woven tube covered with metal mesh, reinforces the weakened area. The graft acts as a shoring wall to prevent rupture.
Procedure
A surgeon inserts a guiding catheter into the femoral artery, a major blood vessel in the groin. The catheter contains the stent graft. The catheter threads up to the abdominal aorta as the surgeon watches its progress. When the catheter reaches the site of the aneurysm, the surgeon releases the graft. It expands and is fastened in place with small pins or hooks. Blood will flow through the stent graft and no longer press on the aortic wall. The bulge might clot and eventually shrink as much as 50 percent, according to the Merck Manual.
Recovery
A patient will probably only spend a few days in the hospital after the stent graft has been placed. Full recovery is expected after only one to two weeks.
Benefits
Placement of a stent graft involves a much lower risk than open abdominal repair, the other surgical alternative for an aneurysm. Open abdominal repair requires general anesthesia and a large incision in the abdomen, with all of the risks associated with major surgery. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, open repair typically takes three to six hours, requires a hospital stay of five to eight days, and full recovery takes about a month.
Patients who have endovascular surgery have a lower risk of death and fewer complications as compared to patients who have open abdominal repair, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Drawbacks
Not everyone can have a stent graft. The aneurysm might be too large or located in an inaccessible spot. Problems with the location of the aneurysm exclude up to 30 percent to 40 percent of patients, according to the Merck Manual.
Stent grafts can cause the site of the aneurysm to kink or clot. The graft could migrate out of place or leak. Because of these possible complications, patients with stent grafts require more frequent follow-up appointments than patients who have had open abdominal repair.
