The aorta is the main blood vessel that carries blood away from your heart and to your body. It is shaped like a walking cane with a curved handle. An ascending aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulging and weakening in your aorta at the point before the curve. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding. An aneurysm at risk for rupture needs surgical repair. If an aortic aneurysm is large or growing, it needs surgical repair as soon as possible. In some cases, you may be able to have surgery later. What are the risks for ascending aortic aneurysm repair?An aortic aneurysm repair is major surgery that needs anesthesia. This has brain and heart risks. Major surgery also carries a risk for blood clots in the large veins of your legs during or after surgery. These clots can break free and travel to your lungs. This condition is called a pulmonary embolism. Other risks of aortic aneurysm repair include:
You may have other risks, based on your specific medical condition. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about any concerns you have before this surgery. How do I prepare for surgical repair of ascending aortic aneurysm?Recommendations for getting ready for surgery include the following:
Ask your healthcare provider to tell you what you should do before your procedure. Below is a list of common steps that you may be asked to do.
What happens during a surgical repair of an ascending aortic aneurysm?The operation may take 5 hours or longer. You may need several surgical repairs over your lifetime. This depends on the health of the aortic valve and heart arteries.
Talk with your healthcare provider about what you will experience during your procedure. What happens after ascending aortic aneurysm repair?You may need to stay in the hospital for up to 10 days or so after surgery. For the first few days, you will be in the intensive care unit (ICU). Tubes will give you nourishment, help you breathe, and drain fluids from your body. As you recover, your healthcare provider will gradually remove the tubes. During this time, the medical staff will help you care for your incision and start walking. Your healthcare provider will give you medicine to control pain and nausea. Once you are well enough to go home, you’ll need to follow instructions for medicines, pain control, diet, activity, and wound care. Make sure to keep all your follow-up appointments and to take your medicines as prescribed. Your healthcare provider may give you other instructions about what you should do after your procedure. Here is a typical list:
Next stepsBefore you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:
What is aneurysmal dilatation of the ascending thoracic aorta?An ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (ATAA) happens when the first part of your aorta (the main artery in your body) develops a weak spot and bulges outward. People over the age of 65 or those with heart diseases are at the highest risk of getting an ATAA.
How serious is an ascending aortic aneurysm?An ascending aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulging and weakening in your aorta at the point before the curve. If an aortic aneurysm ruptures, it can cause life-threatening bleeding. An aneurysm at risk for rupture needs surgical repair.
What size aortic aneurysm requires surgery?If the aneurysm is more than 5.5 centimeters in size, or if it's rapidly getting larger, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the aneurysm. In many cases, doctors will run a catheter through the patient's femoral artery in the groin to the site of the aneurysm in the aorta, then implant a stent graft.
Can you live a long life with an ascending aortic aneurysm?Yes, you can live with an aortic aneurysm, and there are many ways to prevent dissection (splitting of the blood vessel wall that causes blood to leak) or worse, a rupture (a burst aneurysm).
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