Ascending, Descending & Aortic Root Aneurysm

If the aneurysm involves both the aorta and the aortic valve, an aortic valve and root replacement surgery is performed.  The surgeon removes the enlarged section of your aorta and replaces it with a graft—a tube made of synthetic material the same diameter of the normal part of the aorta itself.  The valve is also removed and replaced with either a mechanical or biological valve.  A mechanical valve replacement will require the use of anticoagulants for life.

In some cases, if the aortic valve is not impacted by the aneurysm, a valve sparing aortic root repair is performed. The surgeon replaces the enlarged section your aorta with a graft. The valve is left intact.
 

With aneurysms of the ascending aorta, they are treated in a similar fashion as with the aortic root except the valve and the very first portion of the aorta as it leaves the heart are left intact.  This is a slightly less complex procedure as the surgeon does not need to remove the valve or re-implant the coronary arteries.

The surgeons at Catholic Medical Center are experts in the treatment of aortic disease with outstanding results regardless of the extent or complexity of the aortic problem.
 

With aneurysms of the descending aorta, endovascular surgery may be the best approach. The weakened portion of the aorta is left in place. A small tube called a catheter is fed through a small vessel in your groin area to the location of the aneurysm. Then a graft is deployed which surrounds the aneurysm, protecting it from the threat of rupture.