Your Healthcare Team

Even though endovascular stent grafting is called a minimally invasive procedure, several highly skilled healthcare professionals will be involved in your surgery. Their job is to make you as comfortable as possible, make sure that your surgery is performed successfully, and help you recover quickly.

You can help your surgical team by asking questions and learning as much about the procedure as you can.  Here is a brief description of some of the experts who may be involved in your endovascular stent grafting procedure.

Vascular Surgeon

The vascular surgeon typically performs the endovascular stent grafting procedure, and leads the surgical team. Surgeons have medical degrees and several years of specialised surgical training. In most cases, they have passed national board certification exams to demonstrate their competence. They are experts in endovascular stent grafting and can answer all of your questions about the procedure.

Interventional Radiologist

Interventional radiology is a medical sub-specialty of radiology utilising minimally-invasive image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat diseases in nearly every organ system. The concept behind interventional radiology is to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques currently available in order to minimise risk to the patient and improve health outcomes. These procedures have less risk, less pain and less recovery time in comparison to open surgery.

Interventional radiologists are medical doctors with additional six or seven years of specialised training after medical school.

Anaesthesiologist

Anaesthesiologists are doctors with medical degrees who have specialised training in anaesthesia. Their focus is on pain management and making sure that you are safe. They will be involved in all stages of your surgery before, and after, the endovascular stent graft is placed in your aorta.

Nurse Anaesthetist

The certified registered nurse anaesthetist (CRNA) assists and supports the anaesthesiologist. They are responsible for controlling the anaesthesia during the operation and helping to ensure your safety following the procedure.

Radiologist

The radiologist is a medical doctor who works closely with the endovascular surgeon to provide images that enable the surgeon to guide the stent graft into place.

Operating Nurse

Nurses are a critical part of the surgical team. It is their responsibility to manage your care and comfort at each stage of the procedure—from preparation to recovery. They also assist the surgeon during the operation.

Nutritionist

Since it may be difficult to eat after surgery, proper nutrition is essential before surgery and during recovery. Nutritionists are highly trained experts who instruct nurses responsible for your care on how best to meet your nutritional needs and speed your recovery.

Physical Therapist

Physical therapists work with you and your doctor to help you recover physically from the surgery. They advise you on what types of physical activity you should or should not do and how best to regain your strength and mobility after surgery.

Social Worker

Many hospitals provide social workers who are available to discuss any needs you may have after surgery to help you make the transition back to your daily routine.

Next: Surgery: What to Expect