As you wait for an EVAR operation, if you have either of these symptoms, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room and avoid strenuous activities such as heavy lifting:
- New and persistent pain in your chest, back, abdomen, or groins
- Feeling dizzy or faint
In this Guide
If your surgeon has discussed EVAR with you, or you are preparing for an upcoming surgery, the following guide will help answer questions you may have.
These short videos will explain what an aneurysm is, how to prepare for surgery, and points to remember as you recover at home.
Your surgeon has recommended Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) to treat your aneurysm, after carefully considering your age and health as well as the size, shape and location of your aneurysm. There are 3 types of EVAR. The type of operation you have will depend on the location and nature of your aneurysm:
Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm and/or iliac aortic aneurysm.
Thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR) is repair of a thoracic aneurysm.
Advanced EVAR requires repair of a thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm, or one close to the kidney arteries, often using a custom-made graft with branches or openings (fenestrations) to re-attach important arteries of the thoracic and/or the abdominal aorta.
EVAR is done through the blood vessels in your groin (femoral arteries). To get to the arteries, your surgeon may make:
- Small incisions (5 to 7 centimetres) in both groins – open access
- Small punctures or holes in both groins – percutaneous
- Small incision in the chest, or upper arm if you need a custom-made graft
The surgeon inserts long wires and catheters (thin plastic tubes) into the arteries and up into your aorta to the aneurysm. X-ray images guide the surgeon in placing the stent graft in the correct location between two healthy portions of the aorta. When the correct position is confirmed, the stent graft is expanded and held in place by small hooks. The stent graft seals off the aneurysm. At the end of operation, dye is added to the blood to confirm the location and to make sure there are no leaks around the stent graft. In time, the aneurysm "sac" should shrink around the graft.
The usual hospital stay is overnight. How long you stay will depend on the type of graft you need, your overall health and how quickly you recover.
If you would like to learn more about the EVAR graft, please watch the following videos. These animations demonstrate how the graft is inserted and opened inside an aneurysm:
Stop smoking before your surgery
