
Endovascular repair is a type of treatment for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or AAA. An AAA is a bulge in the wall of the large artery below your heart. The large artery is called the aorta. The bulge is caused by a weak section in the artery wall. The bulge is at risk of tearing. During the procedure, the weak section of the aorta is treated to prevent it from tearing.
Causes
- High blood pressure- Smoking
- Atherosclerosis
- Injury
- Certain infections (such as untreated syphilis)
- Certain genetic conditions (such as Marfan syndrome)
- Aging
- High blood pressure
The stent graft is a tube made of a thin metal mesh (the stent), covered with a thin polyester fabric (the graft). This stent graft is opened inside the aorta and fastened in place. The stent graft stays in place, and blood flows through it. It protects that part of the aorta, and prevents the aneurysm from bursting.