How can surgery treat an ascending aortic aneurysm?

How can surgery treat an ascending aortic aneurysm?

During aneurysm repair surgery, a surgeon makes an incision (cut) in your chest to access your aorta. They remove the aneurysm bulge by cutting it out and in its place sew a graft (tube made of a strong, synthetic material). Depending on the location of the aneurysm, your surgeon may need to detach and reattach your two coronary arteries. This type of open procedure requires cardiopulmonary bypass. This is a procedure where a machine takes over your heart and lung function during surgery.

People with a bicuspid aortic valve or aortic valve disease may also have aortic valve surgery along with aneurysm repair. A surgeon uses a graft with an attached artificial aortic valve or can sometimes repair the bicuspid valve.

Both open and minimally invasive surgeries require general anesthesia.