Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
The aorta is your body's largest artery, and the most vital. It's critical to diagnose and treat aortic aneurysms (bulges) and aortic dissections (tears) early and effectively, because a rupture can result in life-threatening bleeding. Vascular surgeons at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist treat aneurysms and dissections of the abdominal aorta (the part of the aorta in the abdomen) using the most advanced technologies.
A Team of Experts
We bring together all of the specialists required for your care. In addition to experienced vascular surgeons, your team includes radiologists and interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, critical care specialists, and dedicated nurses experienced in the care of people with aortic disease.
Timing Your Treatment
Not everyone with an aneurysm needs treatment. Some people with smaller aneurysms that are not at risk of rupturing have periodic monitoring with ultrasound to keep an eye on the size of the aneurysm. Our doctors will evaluate the size of your aneurysm and your other risk factors to determine whether or not you need surgery to repair it.
Aortic Aneurysm Repair
Our vascular specialists use minimally invasive endovascular surgery whenever possible to repair aortic aneurysms and dissections. They perform these procedures through a catheter, a very thin tube, which is inserted into a blood vessel in your groin and threaded to the site of the problem. Your treatment may include one of these approaches:
- Endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). Our vascular specialists place a synthetic tube called a "stent graft" to bridge the aneurysm or dissection, providing a reinforced channel for blood to flow through and reducing pressure on the damaged area of the aorta.
- Fenestrated endograft for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Treatment of an aortic aneurysm close to the kidney arteries is complex and often requires open surgery to repair the weakened wall. Our vascular surgeons treat people with these complex aneurysms using a new type of stent graft, called a "fenestrated endograft," which is implanted during an endovascular procedure.
- Aortic aneurysm surgery. Not everyone can have endovascular surgery to repair aortic disease. If you need traditional "open" surgery, our vascular surgeons have expertise performing abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) surgery. They sew a graft in place to reinforce the affected walls of your aorta, reducing pressure on the walls and allowing blood to flow normally to your legs and other organs.