Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Stent Graft 
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
When an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) expands the aorta to 5 centimeters or greater, there is a 20% chance it could rupture. This is a life-threatening situation that only 10-20% of people survive. If an AAA gets this large, it’s imperative that it be repaired.
Surgery has traditionally been the method for repairing an AAA. However, in 1999 the FDA approved the use of covered stent grafts for AAAs, providing a minimally-invasive alternative with a much shorter recovery period.
With an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft, an interventional radiologist and team of other doctors thread a catheter through a small incision in the groin to the site of the aneurysm. Through the catheter, the radiologist places a fabric tube (graft) that is long enough to span the bulging area. The tube is held in place by a stent, which is a metal mesh tube. The stent exerts outward pressure against the graft and artery to keep the graft snuggly in position. The blood then flows through the graft and bypasses the aneurysm. Without the pressure of flowing blood, the aneurysm is no longer at risk of rupturing and will eventually shrink.
This page contains the following information about abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts:
- Reasons for Getting an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
- Risks Involved in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
- Conditions to Let Your Doctor Know About
- Insurance Coverage for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
- Procedure Locations
- Scheduling this Procedure
- Preparation Guidelines
- What to Expect During Your Procedure
- Recovering from Your Procedure
- Follow-Up for This Procedure
- Additional Information
Reasons for Getting an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
Abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts are performed to bypass large aneurysms in the abdominal section of the aorta which could otherwise rupture and cause a life-threatening situation.
Not everyone is a candidate for an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft. People who are candidates may choose it over surgery for the following reasons:
- Significantly shorter hospital stay (1-3 days versus 5-7 days for surgery)
- Significantly faster recovery (average of 11 days versus 47 days for surgery)
- Avoid risks associated with open surgical repair
- Can’t receive general anesthesia
- Can’t or don’t want to receive a blood transfusion, which may be necessary during surgery
- Not a candidate for open surgical repair for medical reasons.
Risks Involved in an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
There are some risks when having an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft, but fewer than associated with surgical repair of an AAA.
Since a catheter is placed within the blood vessels, there is a risk of damage to a blood vessel, bruising or bleeding at the puncture site, or infection.
You could have an allergic reaction to the contrast material used during the procedure.
It is possible for the stent graft to move or leak after treatment. If this happens, blood continues to flow into the aneurysm and could potentially cause the aneurysm to grow or rupture. Leaks occur in about 10% of patients and most can be repaired non-surgically.
Conditions to Let Our Doctor Know About
In advance of your exam, let your INVISION radiologist or technologist know if any of the following circumstances apply to you:
- Previous reaction to iodine
- Previous reaction to anesthesia
- Coagulation disorder
- Cardiopulmonary disease
- Currently pregnant
Insurance Coverage for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Stent Graft
Abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts are usually covered by insurance. Check with your insurance carrier to be sure.
Procedure Locations
Consultations for abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts are done at the INVISION Vascular & Interventional Clinic.
The procedure is performed at the following INVISION partner hospitals in the Denver, Colorado area:
- Medical Center of Aurora
- Littleton Adventist Hospital
- Porter Adventist Hospital
- Sky Ridge Medical Center
- Swedish Medical Center
Please note:
INVISION is partially owned by Radiology Imaging Associates (RIA); consequently, your radiologist’s lab coat and your bill, if you receive one, may say RIA rather than INVISION.
Scheduling This Procedure
To schedule a consultation to discuss an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft, call 720-493-3406. To schedule a CT scan to determine if you are a candidate for an abdominal aortic aneurysm stent graft, call 720-493-3700.
Preparation Guidelines
Following are the preparation guidelines for abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts. Please contact us at 720-493-3406 if you have any questions.
- Complete a colon prep before the procedure (you will be given specific instructions).
- Prepare for an overnight stay in the hospital.
- Arrange for someone to drive you to and from the procedure.
What to Expect During Your Procedure
Prior to the date of the procedure, you will undergo pre-procedure exams including an abdominal CT scan and possibly an angiogram. The imaging exam helps the radiologist visualize the aneurysm and determine the type and size of stent graft to use. You will also fill out paperwork and consent forms so the radiologist will know your medical history.
When you come in for the procedure, you will be asked to change into a gown. After answering any questions you have, a technologist will start an intravenous (IV) line in your arm. He or she will set up various devices so your heart rate and blood pressure can be monitored throughout the procedure. You may receive general or epidural anesthesia for the procedure, which will be done in an operating room.
The site of the groin incision will be cleansed. A fluoroscope will be moved into position above your abdomen. The groin incision will be made and the catheter will be inserted into the artery. Using the fluoroscope images, the radiologist will carefully thread the catheter to the location of the aneurysm.
The stent graft will then be deployed through the catheter to the aneurysm site. Once released from the catheter, the stent graft will expand to the appropriate size. The catheter will then be withdrawn and the incision will be sewn and taped. A CT scan or ultrasound is done so the radiologist can verify that the stent graft is properly placed.
The procedure takes between two and four hours to complete. You will then spend between one and three nights in the hospital.
Recovering from Your Procedure
Immediately following the procedure, you may have to lie flat for 4-6 hours to allow the incision(s) to start healing. You may also be asked to drink extra water to help your body rid itself of the contrast agent used during the procedure.
Some patients experience discomfort and/or side effects for a few days following the procedure. Side effects include swelling of the upper thigh, numbness of the legs, nausea, vomiting, leg pain or throbbing, depression, lack of appetite, and absence of bowel movements.
Many patients are discharged from the hospital the day after the procedure; however, some require a longer stay. Most people can return to normal activity within two weeks after the procedure.
Follow-Up for This Procedure
You will need to receive an annual abdominal CT scan or ultrasound to ensure the stent graft has remained in place, that it is effectively diverting blood flow from the aneurysm, and that the aneurysm is shrinking.
Initial results of AAA stent grafts have been very positive. Since it is a newer procedure, the long-term (10-30 year) data is unknown.
Additional Information
The information on this page was taken in part from some of the following web sites. Visit these sites for additional information on abdominal aortic aneurysm stent grafts.
