Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Quality Indicators
Endovascular repair of abdominal aneurysms
Since its introduction in 1991, endovascular aneurysm repair (a procedure in which a stent, or tubelike structure, is inserted into the aorta - the artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body - through an incision in the groin) of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) has become widely used to repair AAA.
Because the procedure is much less invasive (the incision is much smaller and less penetrating) than traditional open repair, endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) has been shown to have more short-term benefits, such as decreased length of hospitalization, reduced intensive care unit (ICU) stays, less blood loss, fewer major complications and faster recovery. However, the long-term durability and effectiveness of EVAR has not been definitively proved by clinical studies.
EVAR may be preferred in high-risk patients, such as those who are older and/or with increased risk factors such as heart disease, kidney disease, lung disease or other conditions or circumstances. (Journal of Vascular Surgery, May 2003: 37(5); 1107-1117)
Does UVa offer endovascular repair of abdominal aneurysms?
Yes. Endovascular aneurysm repair is available at UVa. In fact, UVa helped pioneer endovascular repair of abdominal aneurysms and was a site for the initial clinical trials that developed this procedure. UVa's Vascular Program includes widely recognized experts in vascular surgery, vascular and inteventional radiology, and interventional cardiology.
