Abdominal Aortic Stent-Graft Repair

Inova vascular and interventional radiologists use aortic stent-graft repair for the non-emergency treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a weakened area in the wall of the aorta. As blood flows through the aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and can cause a hemorrhage. Large aneurysms are life threatening, and we repair them as soon as possible. During aortic stent-graft repair, the interventional radiologist inserts a combination metal stent and surgical graft material into the aneurysm and expands it against the blood vessel wall. Blood then flows through the stent-graft, avoiding the weakened part of the vessel, and the aneurysm typically shrinks over time. This procedure requires only two small incisions, significantly less risk and a shorter and more comfortable recovery.