What is Aortic Aneurysm Repair/Removal?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It begins at the heart and runs through the chest and abdomen. Sometimes the walls of the aorta weaken and bulge in one area. An aortic repair is a surgery to create a support for the weakened area.

• To prevent rupture (bursting) of an aneurysm, which causes severe, life-threatening bleeding

• To remove a ruptured aneurysm and repair the damaged aorta

Possible Complications

If you are planning to have an aortic aneurysm repair, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Problems from general anesthesia (eg, light-headedness, low blood pressure, wheezing)
• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clot formation
• Damage to organs or tissue
• Death

Factors that may increase the risk of complications include:

• Emergency surgery due to a burst aneurysm
• Heart disease
• Previous episodes of transient ischemic attacks or strokes
• Lung disease
• Debilitation due to cancer
• Diabetes
• Obesity

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Signs of infection, including fever and chills
• Redness, swelling,...