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Our vascular surgeons specialize in endovascular aortic repair procedures to treat potentially life-threatening aortic aneurysms.
Telehealth appointments are available.
Aortic aneurysms impact your body’s largest blood vessel — the aorta. These weak spots in the wall of your aorta can bulge or balloon out. If an aortic aneurysm bursts, it can reduce blood flow to your other organs. It can also be life-threatening.
Endovascular aortic repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat aortic aneurysms that develop in your abdomen. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) treats aneurysms that develop in your chest.
These procedures use a thin metal mesh tube (stent) to reinforce the aortic wall at the site of your aneurysm. The stent stabilizes your blood flow and prevents the aneurysm from tearing or bursting.
At Keck Medicine of USC, our vascular surgeons are EVAR/TEVAR leaders who have vast experience with these procedures. We use minimally invasive approaches that ensure your best outcome, minimize recovery time and get you back to your regular routine.
If you have an aortic aneurysm that requires treatment, we will perform a complete physical exam and discuss your medical history. This is how we determine if you’re healthy enough for an EVAR or TEVAR procedure.
A few days before your procedure, we may prescribe medication that helps your blood vessels relax. These medicines also lower your blood pressure and decrease the risk that your aortic aneurysm may burst. Let us know if you take blood-thinning medication. We may ask you to stop taking them to reduce your risk of bleeding during the procedure.
If you smoke, stop as soon as possible for your procedure. Doing so can improve your recovery and long-term health.
Before the procedure, we will give you either regional anesthesia to numb part of your body or general anesthesia to help you sleep through the procedure.
During the procedure, your surgeon will make small cuts (incisions) to access your aorta. For EVAR, they will make a small incision in one of your femoral arteries — the arteries in your groin. For TEVAR, they make this cut and another one in a vein in your arm. Using small tools and X-ray guidance, they thread a collapsed stent attached to a small, flexible tube (catheter) through your aorta.
Once they reach the aortic aneurysm, your surgeon will expand the stent. It attaches tightly to the wall of the aorta and holds it open. The stent improves your blood flow and adds extra strength to your aortic wall, preventing any tears or ruptures. With less blood supply, your aneurysm will shrink over time.
After the procedure, you will wake up in our post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). You will be connected to several monitors that help us watch your blood pressure, breathing and heart rate. To prevent any post-surgical bleeding, you will need to lie flat for several hours.
You will remain in the hospital for several days. During your stay, we will gradually increase your activity level and help you return to eating solid foods. Before your discharge, we will talk with you about your at-home and follow-up care, including any pain relievers or blood-thinning medication you may need.
When you get home, you can expect your incision to be sore for several days. Avoid any strenuous activity or heavy lifting for at least four weeks. Don’t drive until your surgeon tells you it’s safe to do so. Follow the instructions we provide for keeping your incision clean. Let us know if you experience:
Many people return to work within a month. But a full recovery from an EVAR/TEVAR procedure can take several months.
Our team of board-certified experts performs more aortic valve procedures than many other aortic centers.
As a destination of care for complex conditions, we offer state-of-the-art screenings and diagnostic tests performed by leading experts in the field.
We take a team-based approach to care that blends next-level discoveries with novel clinical trials, leading to innovative treatments.
