Aneurysms

If a AAA is found, it can usually be monitored by ultrasound once or twice a year along with an office visit with your CVVS vascular specialist. We have our own ultrasound lab in the office and can arrange the ultrasound examination and office visit with your CVVS provider on the same day.

If the aneurysm grows to be 5cm in diameter or larger, that’s when it needs to be fixed. The risk is that the aneurysm can rupture and cause massive internal bleeding and possible death. Aneurysms are typically not fixed at smaller then 5cm in size because the risk of rupture is so small that the risk of anesthesia is actually higher than the risk of rupture. However, when the aneurysm reaches 5cm in diameter, that’s when the risk of rupture approaches 10% and it needs to be fixed.

Coastal Vein and Vascular Specialists embraces the most advanced and minimally invasive technologies to treat Aortic Aneurysms. With the use of current technologies, 90% of all aneurysms are able to be fixed with a minimally invasive endovascular procedure called an Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Repair, or EVAR. This is where we use small wires and catheters and build an aortic stent graft on the inside of the aneurysm, sealing off the aneurysm so that now all the blood flow goes through the endograft and not the aneurysm. Typically, we don’t even need to make a skin incision – so no stitches are needed! Patients usually spend 1-2 days in the hospital and then are discharged home. Patients can typically return to normal activity in one week. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (TAA) can be fixed in a similar manner with an endograft.

Sometimes, the more complex anatomical aneurysms need to be fixed with an open operation. Your CVVS Vascular Surgeon can discuss this in greater detail with you.