Surgical Aneurysm Repair

An aneurysm is an abnormal bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. An aneurysm that grows and becomes large enough can burst, causing dangerous, often fatal, bleeding inside the body.

Most aneurysms occur in the aorta. The aorta is the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The aorta comes out from the left ventricle  of the heart and travels through the chest and abdomen. An aneurysm that occurs in the aorta in the chest is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm that occurs in the aorta in the abdomen is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Aneurysms also can occur in arteries in the brain, heart, intestine, neck, spleen, back of the knees and thighs, and in other parts of the body. If an aneurysm in the brain bursts, it causes a stroke.

Large aortic aneurysms, if found in time, can often be repaired with surgery to replace the diseased portion of the aorta. The outlook is usually excellent. There are several different types of surgical procedures used to repair or remove an aneurysm through an incision in your skin. Depending upon the type of aneurysm and where it is located, the repair may be done with tissues from your body or with grafts made of synthetic fabric patches. Another option is the use of clips or clamps.

Not all aneurysms need immediate treatment. If your aneurysm is small and not causing symptoms, your physician might recommend "watchful waiting," which means monitoring your aneurysm for signs of problems, such as enlargement.

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