Surgery is recommended for aortic aneurysm when the diameter of the aorta exceeds 5 centimeters. The aneurysmal, or dilated, portion of the aorta is removed and replaced with a synthetic graft made from Dacron cloth.
Certain aneurysms are associated with aortic valve disease or coronary artery disease. Occasionally, therefore, repair of the aneurysm is combined with valve or coronary artery surgery if the aneurysm is located in the ascending aorta or aortic arch. Surgery for these aneurysms is performed through the breastbone. When the aneurysm is located in the lower part of the chest or extends into the abdomen, the operation is performed through the left side of the chest.
Recovery after aneurysm surgery depends on whether the operation is performed as an emergency and also how much of the aorta must be replaced. In general, patients that undergo elective aneurysm surgery for an isolated, focal aneurysm recover smoothly. The synthetic graft is highly durable and does not require any additional medications.
Some patients will be eligible for treatment using a less invasive approach known as endovascular stent-grafting. To learn more about this procedure, visit the "Aortic Stent Graft" page on this website.