TEVAR

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure to treat the aneurysm in the extrapericardial part of the major blood vessel called aorta. The TEVAR procedure involves the placement of a covered stent into the weakened area of the artery.

The stent graft includes a metal mesh tube with a layer of fabric. It expands to fit against the walls of the aorta on both sides of the aneurysm. The stent grafts have a lifespan of at least 10 years.

The TEVAR procedure usually takes around two hours to complete.

Why is TEVAR required?

There are multiple reasons why the TEVAR procedure is recommended by doctors. Some of these include:

• Weakening of the wall of aorta, or aneurysm
• Separation of one of aorta’s three layers, or dissection
• Narrowing of the inside of aorta, or stenosis
• Damage to aorta from trauma, or transection

How is TEVAR better than conventional surgery?

In many selected cases TEVAR is a better option than conventional open surgery. This is because it is a minimally invasive surgery in which a small incision is made in the groin area unlike open repair surgery which needs a large incision through the breastbone or side of the chest.

TEVAR is also less painful and safer alternative with fewer complications. In patients with multiple aneurysms, a combination of TEVAR and open surgery called hybrid approach may be required.

What happens after the procedure?

The patient’s vital signs like heart rate and breathing will be monitored after the procedure and he or she will need to stay in the hospital for 2-3 days. The patient may need to lie flat for a few hours after the procedure to prevent bleeding.

After treatment patients can expect to fully recover and return to normal activities. Recovery time from TEVAR procedure is less than it is from the conventional open surgery for aortic aneurysm.

Patients will require periodic monitoring of the stent graft device using CT or ultrasound by the doctor.