Updated January 2022
A bulge that occurs in the part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen (stomach area). The bulge (enlarging and thinning) of the aorta is due to a weakening in the arterial wall.
A bulge or ballooning (enlarging and thinning) of a weakened area of a blood vessel.
The main artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
Inside or within a blood vessel.
A stent graft placed inside a diseased vessel without the use of open surgical techniques. The stent graft makes a new path through which the blood flows.
Placement of a stent graft to seal off or reline an aortic aneurysm. Instead of opening up the abdomen or chest, the doctor makes a small cut near the hip (near the crease between the belly and thigh) to get to the femoral artery (blood vessel). Through this small cut, a stent graft (fabric tube with expandable metal stents) is inserted through the femoral artery and gently moved into place to cover the lesion. The stent graft makes a new path through which the blood flows.
Blood vessels that run down each leg and carry blood to the thighs and lower body. Doctors can use the femoral arteries as a path to reach arteries in the chest and belly.
The two large blood vessels that connect the lower end of the aorta to the femoral artery in each leg.
A type of surgery performed to repair an aneurysm. To reach the aneurysm, a doctor makes a cut through the abdomen, chest, or the side of the patient. The doctor repairs the aorta by replacing the aneurysm section with a fabric tube called a graft. The graft is sewn into place and acts as a replacement blood vessel.
When a blood vessel bursts, causing serious internal bleeding.
Metal parts of the stent graft that spring outward toward the vessel walls and provide support to the stent graft.
A metal and fabric tube placed inside a diseased vessel without the use of open surgery. The graft makes a new path for the blood to flow through, relining the diseased vessel.
An aneurysm in the part of the aorta that runs through a person’s chest.
Referring to the vessels that carry blood.