Correcting an Aortic Aneurysm with Heart Surgery

Your heart is the life supply of your body. It is responsible for pumping blood to every muscle and tissue continuously. Without the heart serving this important function, the body cannot continue living. To perform its work, the heart uses blood vessels of all sizes to transport blood. The aorta is the largest of these blood vessels. It begins in the left ventricle of the heart and ascends a couple of inches above the heart and descends below it for about a foot or less. Because this section of the circulatory system is under constant and heavy use, it can become damaged and worn out. An aortic aneurysm occurs when part of the aorta stretches and bulges. If the aneurysm isn’t treated by NYU heart surgery specialists, it can burst and lead to internal bleeding and possibly death within a short amount of time.


Surgical Procedure

If your doctor discovers an aortic aneurysm, they will want to get the problem taken care of quickly. Although aneurysms are typically slow to grow, it’s not worth waiting when the consequences of a ruptured aneurysm are so serious. During the surgical procedure, the surgeon is able to repair the aorta by removing the damaged section. It is replaced with a synthetic graft. If the damage extends to other sections of the aorta or branches that lead from it, these areas will be replaced or repaired as well. Because each situation is unique, it’s important to choose a surgical facility that has the ability to address the problem with various approaches. They will be able to give you the best treatment for your specific situation.

Get Screened

Aneurysms don’t always present symptoms, so getting periodic screenings is recommended for individuals at a higher risk. If an aneurysm is detected, NYU heart surgery specialists can perform tests to determine whether the problem is severe enough to require surgery. If not, a doctor will work with you to reduce the stress on your aorta with lifestyle changes and possibly medication. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can attack the problem head on with the help of a qualified expert.

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