Minimally invasive stent placement to prevent aneurysm rupture
Aortic aneurysms are weakened areas along the body’s main artery, and surgical repair may be necessary to prevent rupture. A tube called a stent can be placed within the aorta to reinforce the damaged area and minimize the risk of rupture.
Our Complex Aortic Center brings together cardiac and vascular surgeons to perform advanced minimally invasive techniques for complex aneurysm repairs. We are one of the few centers in the greater D.C. area using stent-grafts throughout the aorta.
What to expect
Your doctor may ask you to not eat, drink, or take medications before the procedure. The doctor will insert an IV in your arm or hand to provide fluids, medications, and a sedative to relax you. You will lie on a procedure table with an X-ray machine.
You will be placed under a general anesthetic. In an area in your groin or arm, your surgeon will make a small puncture to insert a thin, flexible tube called a catheter, which carries the stent. The surgeon will guide the catheter to the aneurysm using the X-ray images to confirm placement. Then they will connect the stent on either side of the aneurysm to allow blood to pass through the aorta without putting pressure on the aneurysm. The doctor will then remove the catheter.
You will be taken to a recovery area to be monitored and will likely stay in the hospital for two to three days to recover.
Conditions
A type of aortic aneurysm, or bulge, in the wall of the body’s largest artery that involves the upper part of the aorta in the 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.
Echocardiogram
An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
An electrocardiogram, also known as an ECG, measures the heart’s electrical activity.
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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Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Jason Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Jonathan R. Gower, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery
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John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Kathleen J. Lavery, ACNP-BC, MSN, APRN
Cardiac Surgery
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Thomas Edward MacGillivray, MD
Cardiac Surgery
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Marissa Mallari Magtanong, AGNP-C
Vascular Surgery
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Melissa Kanji Meghpara, DO
Vascular Surgery
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Brittany C. Montgomery, AGACNP-BC, APRN, MSN
Vascular Surgery
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Dana Lurae Parker, ANP-BC
Vascular Surgery
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Christian Charles Shults, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology, Structural Heart Disease Cardiology & Cardiac Surgery
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Asmeret Tewolde, FNP-C
Vascular Surgery
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Sarkis Garabet Aghazarian, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Rodeen Rahbar, MD
Vascular Surgery
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Our locations
Distance from Change locationEnter your location
MedStar Union Memorial Hospital
201 E. University Pkwy. Baltimore, MD 21218
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
110 Irving St. NW Washington, DC 20010
Ask MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute
Have general questions for our heart and vascular program? Email us at AskMHVI@medstar.net. If you have clinically-specific questions, please contact your physician’s office.