Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR)
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What is TEVAR?
The aorta is your body’s largest artery. It carries oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body going from your heart through your chest and into your abdomen. It then divides into blood vessels that provide blood flow to your legs. Sometimes, a weak area of the aorta bulges out, this is called an aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm of the aorta is serious because it can burst. The risk of bursting increases as the aneurysm grows. Treatment depends on the size of the aneurysm, and how fast it’s growing.
UR Medicine's Approach
TEVAR is a minimally invasive surgery, which means it’s done with a small incision. A stent graft—a metal tube covered in fabric—is used to reinforce the aneurysm. The stent helps prevent the aneurysm from bursting. A vascular surgeon and a team of specialized healthcare providers will perform the surgery.
What Happens During A TEVAR Procedure?
- First, you receive anesthesia to prevent pain. This may be general anesthesia, which causes you to sleep through the procedure, or it may be regional anesthesia, which numbs a certain part of your body.
- Your surgeon may make a small incision in the groin area as well as the arm. A catheter is placed into the artery.
- A stent graft is attached to the end of the catheter. Using X-rays as a guide, your surgeon will thread the catheter, with the stent graft attached through an artery in your groin to the affected part of your aorta.
- Once the stent graft is in place, your surgeon will expand its metal frame and fasten it into place.
- The metal frame expands like a spring and attaches tightly to the wall of your aorta. This provides a stable place for blood to flow. It also stops the aneurysm from bursting. The blood supply is now cut off from the aneurysm causing it to shrink over time.
- Your surgeon will remove the catheter, close the incision and put a small bandage on the wound.
What Happens After a TEVAR Procedure?
After the procedure, you’ll spend several hours in a recovery room. Your healthcare team will monitor your vital signs, such as your heart rate and breathing. To help prevent bleeding, you may need to lie flat for several hours after the procedure.
After surgery, expect to stay in the hospital for at least three to four days. Your healthcare provider will tell you more about what to expect.
What Risks Or Complications Come With TEVAR?
As with any procedure, problems can occur. Some possible complications may include:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Injury to nearby organs
- Blood clots
- Risks from anesthesia
- Kidney damage from dye used during the X-ray when the stent graft is put in place
- Device or delivery failure
- Blood vessel injury
- Leaking graft
- Paralysis
- The graft moving out of place
- Loss of a leg
- Traditional open surgery may be needed
- Your aortic aneurysm may keep growing after surgery
You may have other risks depending on your specific medical condition. Be sure to discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the procedure.
What Sets Us Apart?
An Experienced Team
Our specialists are committed to comprehensive care. They fully evaluate each patient to recommend the most appropriate treatment plan. Our team of experts includes, vascular and endovascular surgeons, cardiovascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists and cardiovascular imaging specialists.
Our interdisciplinary team includes cardiologists and cardiothoracic surgeons, to tailor treatment to your needs, and a dedicated radiologist and cardiologist who specialize in reading echocardiograms.
UR Medicine offers the most minimally invasive options, meaning less pain and a quicker recovery. And as part of an academic medical center, we’re also involved in the latest research, so we can stay on the forefront of new developments and approaches.