When the aneurysm reaches up to 5.5 centimeters in diameter, aortic aneurysm surgery becomes necessary for survival.

• You will be asked to stop smoking if you smoke, to improve your recovery and overall health.

• Inform your doctor about any blood thinning medication or any other medications that you take.

• The treatment team will run a few diagnostic and blood tests to confirm the need for the surgery.

• You will be asked to fast for 8 hours before the surgery is done.

The surgery of an aortic aneurysm can be done in two ways depending on the condition and location of the aneurysm-

• Open chest repair- This is the standard procedure for an aneurysm repair. The surgeon makes a large incision to expose the aorta that can be grafted or replaced with a synthetic tube.

• Endovascular surgery- This procedure for the repair is minimally invasive and can be done with small incisions. An incision is made in the groin area and a catheter is inserted in the artery with special instruments and threaded up to the aorta. The graft is positioned at the place of the aneurysm and strengthens the wall of the aorta.

The post-treatment care will vary according to the type of surgery the patient went through. 

For open chest surgery-

• Longer recovery time will be needed in this procedure and heavy monitoring in the intensive care unit is required.

• Restriction on physical activities and driving will be imposed unless the doctor says differently.

For Endovascular surgery-

• Your activities after the surgery can be gradually increased after you move to the regular nursing unit and get out of bed.

• You can take solid foods as soon as you can handle them.

• You will be asked to practice breathing exercises to avoid any complications in the lungs.

• Cardiac rehabilitation programs can be opted by the patients for their healthy well-being.

• Lifestyle changes should be induced with healthy activities like a proper diet, quitting smoking and drinking habits, investing in more physical activities.