What Is an Aortic Aneurysm Repair — And When Is It Needed?

medivisoroffice
Jun 30, 2025
2 min read

The aorta is your body’s largest blood vessel, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. But what happens when this critical artery starts to bulge or weaken?

An aortic aneurysm is a serious condition that can go unnoticed until it becomes life-threatening. Fortunately, with timely screening and medical intervention, it’s a problem that can be repaired — and lives can be saved.

What Exactly Is an Aortic Aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm occurs when a section of the aorta weakens and begins to balloon outward. It’s a bit like a worn-out tire — the more it stretches, the greater the risk of rupture. And a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency with high fatality rates.

There are two main types:

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) – occurs in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA) – occurs in the chest portion of the aorta.

Why Are Aneurysms Dangerous?

Aneurysms often grow silently, without symptoms. But when they get too large, they may:

Burst and cause internal bleeding
Tear (called aortic dissection), causing severe chest/back pain
Cut off blood flow to major organs

This is why monitoring and timely repair are so critical.

When Is Aortic Aneurysm Repair Needed?

Doctors recommend repair based on:

Size of the aneurysm: Typically, ≥5.5 cm for men and ≥5.0 cm for women
Growth rate: More than 0.5 cm per year
Presence of pain or symptoms
Aneurysms in patients with a genetic risk or connective tissue disorders

Sometimes, even smaller aneurysms are treated proactively, especially if there's a high risk of rupture.

How Is the Repair Done?

There are two main types of surgical repair:

1. Open Surgical Repair

Involves a large incision in the chest or abdomen
The damaged part of the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft
Requires general anesthesia and longer recovery time

2. Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR)

Minimally invasive, done through small incisions in the groin
A stent graft is delivered through blood vessels to reinforce the weakened artery
Shorter hospital stay and faster recovery

Your doctor will choose the method based on:

The aneurysm’s location and shape
Your overall health and age
Any underlying conditions

What Is Recovery Like?

After EVAR, most patients return home in 1–2 days
Open repair may require 5–10 days in the hospital and weeks of healing
Regular follow-up imaging is essential to ensure the graft stays in place

Who Is Most at Risk?

People over 60 years old
Smokers (past or current)
High blood pressure or cholesterol
Family history of aneurysms
Men are more commonly affected than women (especially with AAA)

Final Thoughts: Prevention, Monitoring, and Awareness Save Lives

Aortic aneurysms might sound scary — and they are. But thanks to early detection and modern surgical techniques, many patients are treated before a rupture ever occurs.

If you or a loved one has risk factors, ask your doctor about screening. Remember: aortic aneurysm repair isn’t just about fixing a problem — it’s about preventing a tragedy.