Minimally invasive alternative for thoracic aorta repair
Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive alternative to major open surgery for the repair of the thoracic aorta that results in reduced recovery times and potentially improved survival rates.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA)
A thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a weak area of the aorta that will expand or bulge as blood is pumped through it. As the TAA grows, the wall of the aorta becomes weaker.
If the TAA continues to grow, it could rupture and this would lead to large amounts of bleeding inside the body. An aneurysm rupture needs immediate medical attention because it can lead to death.
TAA CATEGORIES
TAAs are divided into three categories based on their location:
- Ascending aortic
- Aortic arch
- Descending thoracic aneurysms (or thoracoabdominal aneurysms)
Causes
People are more likely to have a TAA if they1:
- Are over 50
- Are men
- Have high blood pressure
- Are smokers
- Have a family member with TAA
Symptoms
Most people with a TAA do not have symptoms. For those with symptoms, the most common are:
- Hoarseness1
- Difficulty swallowing2
- Pain in the chest, back, side, or stomach1
- The pain may range from mild to severe1
A TAA is often found during a CT scan being done for other unrelated reasons.1
TAA Repair Procedures
Two of the most common methods of repairing TAAs are traditional open surgery and thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).
Open Surgery
In an open surgery, a large incision is made in the chest to treat a lesion by sewing in a fabric vascular graft.
TEVAR Procedure
In the TEVAR procedure, a stent graft is inserted into the aneurysm through small incisions in the groin.
Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)
TEVAR of the thoracic aorta is performed using an endovascular stent graft. The thoracic stent graft is placed within the aneurysm to relieve pressure on the damaged vessel wall by enabling blood flow to bypass the aneurysm.
The procedure is performed using long, thin tubes (catheters) to deliver the thoracic stent graft into the aneurysm through small incisions in the groin.
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References
1
Cedars-Sinai. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Available at: https://www.cedars-sinai.org/health-library/diseases-and-conditions/t/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm.html. Accessed July 28, 2020.
2
John Hopkins Medicine. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. Available at: https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm. Accessed July 28, 2020.