Endovascular Blood Vessel Repair
Endovascular aneurysm repair is a procedure using an endovascular stent graft, or endograft, to repair thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) or abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An endograft is a synthetic tube mounted on an expandable stent. It is used to repair weakened aneurysmal blood vessels or hardened occluded blood vessels throughout the body. If an aortic aneurysm is at risk of rupture or has already ruptured, open abdominal or open chest surgery is sometimes necessary.
Dr. Schorlemmer has been performing endovascular procedures for nearly 20 years utilizing state of the art equipment and well honed surgical judgment to provide the safest and best results for his patients. He was the first surgeon in Utah certified to place endografts for thoracic aortic aneurysm and he has the state's largest experience with endografts for abdominal aneurysm repair.
Aortic aneurysm repair using an endovascular stent is a minimally invasive procedure. Using catheters, Dr. Schorlemmer is able to securely place the stent graft into the aorta to stabilize the artery and reinforce the weakened section of the arterial walls.
Dr. Schorlemmer begins the procedure by making a small incision in the groin and inserting first a wire and then a tiny catheter into the artery. The catheter is then moved into the aorta through the aneurysm. An endograft is threaded into the aneurysm where it is expanded and fastened into place. The stent creates a stable channel for blood flow and the synthetic lining prevents the aneurysm from progressing to cause further damage or rupture.
Recovery time after endovascular repair is quick. Most patients go home the day after surgery. Since the repair procedure does not require open chest or open abdominal surgery, some surgical risks are reduced.
Almost all aneurysms can currently be repaired by Dr. Schorlemmer using an endovascular stent graft and, in his hands, open surgery is rarely necessary. Because of his wealth of experience he is frequently sought out for a second opinion before patients proceed with open aneurysm surgery. Because he has access to new innovations as they become available, Dr Schorlemmer believes that soon open surgery will be a thing of the past.