THORACOABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM
These are aortic aneurysms which span the chest and the abdomen. These thoracic aortic aneurysms need a specialized team of doctors to determine the best management strategy which includes conservative, surgical or endovascular repair. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are characterized based on their extent and location.
The classic Crawford classification includes four types (please refer to the anatomy page):
COMMON CAUSES:
TREATMENTS:
Patients should seek cardiac/aortic surgeons with specialized training in the management of your complex aortic aneurysm. Patients with these complex aneurysms need a specialized team of doctors and nurses since there are specific resources needed to provide a safe repair. In certain cases, a minimally invasive procedure can be performed which can provide a durable repair.
Issues to be discussed with your surgeon and center:
1. How are you going to protect my brain?
2. How are you going to protect my spinal cord?
3. Number of operations of this kind performed at that hospital last year?
4. What specialized training did the surgeon receive?
For a consultation with our aortic specialist: 212-420-2584.
The classic Crawford classification includes four types (please refer to the anatomy page):
- Type I: spans from subclavian artery to celiac artery
- Type II: spans from subclavian artery to aortic bifurcation
- Type III: spans from mid-descending thoracic aorta to aortic bifurcation
- Type IV: spans from celiac artery to aortic bifurcation
COMMON CAUSES:
- smoking
- high blood pressure
- aortic dissection
- connective tissue disorder (Marfan etc.)
- infection
- cholesterol build up
TREATMENTS:
- Conservative (most aortic aneurysm can be followed carefully)
- Open aortic replacement with a tube graft: gold standard
- endovascular repair
- hybrid repair (combination of open and endovascular repair)
Patients should seek cardiac/aortic surgeons with specialized training in the management of your complex aortic aneurysm. Patients with these complex aneurysms need a specialized team of doctors and nurses since there are specific resources needed to provide a safe repair. In certain cases, a minimally invasive procedure can be performed which can provide a durable repair.
Issues to be discussed with your surgeon and center:
1. How are you going to protect my brain?
2. How are you going to protect my spinal cord?
3. Number of operations of this kind performed at that hospital last year?
4. What specialized training did the surgeon receive?
For a consultation with our aortic specialist: 212-420-2584.
