Ascending aorta replacement:
Ascending aorta replacement is done through traditional open surgery in which the weakened part of your ascending aorta will be removed by your surgeon and replaced with a graft (synthetic fabric tube).
Some facts about Ascending aorta replacement:
- Surgery is required if you have a ruptured or dissected aneurysm in your ascending aorta.
- Surgery is also required if you have an aneurysm that is at risk of rupture or dissection.
- Imaging tests are performed by the health care provider to check your aneurysm once or twice a year.
- An aneurysm that is very small or stable in size usually doesn't need treatment.
- However, surgery is required surgery to prevent rupture or dissection if the aneurysm is large or shows signs of rapid growth.
- Surgery is recommended if the risks of delaying treatment outweigh the risks of surgery.
- Individual factors like your body size and medical conditions will be taken into account before performing Ascending aorta replacement surgery.
- A formula is used by the health care provider to calculate the risk of rupture based on your body size and aneurysm size which can lead to surgeries for aneurysms below 5 centimeters in diameter.
- Aneurysm repair is suggested at the same time along with another type of heart surgery.
- The aneurysm diameter could be as small as 4 centimeters in such cases.
- It is advisable to fix it sooner to prevent future problems and avoid multiple surgeries.
Preparation for Ascending aorta replacement:
- A physical exam will be done several weeks before your surgery.
- Some blood test will be done to check your kidney function.
- CT or Heart MRI will be done to check all parts of your aorta.
- Coronary angiography will be done to check for atherosclerosis and Duplex ultrasound to check the health of your carotid arteries.
- Drinking anything including water and eating anything after midnight the night before your surgery is restricted.
- Certain drugs can be taken the morning of your surgery
Procedure for Ascending aorta replacement:
- The weakened part of your aorta will be replaced with a graft (synthetic fabric tube)
- If other parts of your aorta like the aortic root or aortic arch are damaged, it can be fixed by your surgeon at the same time
- Your aortic valve may also be removed if needed
- The duration of surgery depends on the condition of your aorta as well as your medical history and family history.
- General anesthesia will be given that puts you to sleep during the surgery.
- You will be on a heart-lung machine (cardiopulmonary bypass) during the surgery.
- Deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) will also be used to stop your blood circulation.
- An incision will be made in the front of your chest (median sternotomy).
- A tool called an aortic cross-clamp will be used to pause blood flow through your ascending aorta
- The bulging section of your ascending aorta will be replaced with a tube called a graft which will functions as a new lining for your artery.
- The graft will be sewed in place with stitches and the incision in your chest will be closed with stitches or staples.
