Minimally invasive surgery to treat aneurysms in the chest and abdomen
A thoracoabdominal aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. These aneurysms stretch across the belly and chest and can be difficult to treat.
Our Complex Aortic Center is one of the few programs in the mid-Atlantic region with the expertise needed to treat these challenging cases. We can use endovascular complex repair, a minimally invasive treatment that involves smaller incisions, less pain, and faster recovery than traditional open surgery.
What to expect from this procedure
On the day of the procedure, you’ll either receive general anesthesia or local anesthesia and a sedative. The surgeon will make a small puncture in either your arm or groin and will insert a guide wire and a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through these incisions and into an artery. Using X-ray images for guidance, the surgeon will thread the wire and catheter into the aorta and to the aneurysm.
The catheter will contain a device called an aortic stent-graft. Once the catheter is in place, your surgeon will pull the catheter and guide the wire back, leaving the stent-graft behind. The stent-graft will expand like a spring inside the aorta, repairing the aneurysm. Blood will flow more easily through the aorta and away from the aneurysm, which will keep it from getting bigger.
After the procedure, you’ll stay with us in the hospital for a few days. You’ll need to come back for checkups and imaging scans over time to make sure your stent-graft is in place and working properly.
Conditions
An aortic ulcer can penetrate the wall of the aorta, decreasing blood flow and allowing blood to leak and cause internal bleeding.
Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneursym
This is a type of aortic aneurysm, or bulge, in the wall of the body’s largest artery, which extends through both the abdomen and chest.
Tests
Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound
Abdominal duplex ultrasound is a combination of a traditional and Doppler ultrasound that assesses the blood vessels in your abdomen for blockages or aneurysms.
Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets, and computer technology used to create images of your heart and blood vessels.
Our providers
Location: Change location Enter your location
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Vanessa R. Banks-Gonzales, ACNP-BC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Suzanne M Benn, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Kristin Crawley, ACNP-BC, BSN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Yelena Game, PA
Vascular Surgery
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Dawn Ellen Golus, BSN, MSN, NP
Thoracic Surgery
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Erin M. Hanlon, MPAS, PA
Vascular Surgery
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John Harvey, MBCHB, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lucy B Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Wendy S. Lobo, AGACNP-BC, DNP, MBA, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Stefanie Malouf, CRSP, PA
Thoracic Surgery
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Donna Yvonne Norris, FNPBC, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Kyle B. Reynolds, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Lauren M. Storey, NP
Vascular Surgery
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Naren Gupta, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Union Memorial Hospital - Calvert Street Building
3300 North Calvert Street First Floor Baltimore, MD 21218
410-261-8226
MedStar Health: Vascular Surgery at MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Physician Office Building
106 Irving Street NW Physician Office Bldg. Suite 3150 North Tower Washington, DC 20010
202-877-0456
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.