Stanford Hospital and Clinic:
"Development of an active valve-sparing aortic root replacement program that saves the patient's own aortic valve in cases of an aneurysm of the ascending aorta (applicable both for patients who have connective tissue disorders, e.g. Marfans, and those who do not).
Endovascular Stent Graft
Involves placing an endovascular graft via the femoral artery system and threaded to the area of the diseased aorta. This procedure fixes the diseased aorta from the inside-out rather than the outside-in. The placement does not require an open incision or use of the cardiopulmonary bypass machine".
The endovascular stent graft can only be used on the descending aorta, not for "an ascending aortic aneurysm, right out of the base of the heart." Therefore, this procedure would not pertain to marrferr's situation. Root/ascending aneurysms still require an open-chest operation, if and when surgical repair is indicated. However, good results are routinely obtained, assuming the surgeon and team have adequate experience.
The standard treatment for aortic (thoracic) aneurysm is open-chest repair.
The Cleveland Clinic surgeons are now able to treat many thoracic and thoracoabdominal (occurring in the lower part of the thoracic aorta and the upper part of the abdominal aorta) aneurysms with a minimally invasive procedure called an endovascular stent graft. It is implanted with a cath that administers a stent graft in the diseased segment.
Eligibility would be those individuals who have not had thoracic aneurysm rupture. You may be eligible for endovascular stent grafting if your thoracic aneurysm has not ruptured and the aneurysm is 5 centimeters or more in size.
Hope this helps.
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What are the benefits of endovascular repair?
Endovascular repair of thoracic aneurysms is generally less painful and has a lower risk of complications than traditional surgery because the incisions are smaller. Endovascular aorta aneurysm procedures also allow you to leave the hospital sooner and recover more quickly after your aorta repair.
Eligibility would be those individuals who have not had thoracic aneurysm rupture. You may be eligible for endovascular stent grafting if your thoracic aneurysm has not ruptured and the aneurysm is 5 centimeters or more in size.