It is common knowledge that many types of diseases and disorders within the body can present symptoms that mimic other issues. This is often the case when a patient has a serious type of aneurysm known as an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), which can cause back pain, for example, if it causes any symptoms at all.
An AAA is a bulging, weakened area in the wall of a patient’s aorta, the largest artery in the body, responsible for carrying oxygenated blood from the heart throughout the body. At the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at Pikeville Medical Center (PMC), a specialized team of surgeons offer a minimally invasive approach to treat aneurysms, including AAAs, which can be fatal if left untreated.
Vascular Surgeons at the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky have the ability to perform an advanced procedure called endovascular aortic aneurysm repair, which is a less invasive approach to treat AAA. In years past, treatment for an AAA involved a 150-mile one-way trip to another facility, an extended hospital stay and months of recovery. However, that is no longer the case for most patients.
This minimally invasive procedure is performed through 1/2-inch incisions in the groin. The surgeons can repair the damage with a small incision, allowing them to establish a stable channel for blood flow which could prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. The procedure allows patients faster recovery, and shorter hospital stays.
“This advancement is definitely a game-changer, especially when we have the opportunity to perform this surgery electively,” said Al Addasi, MD, PMC Vascular/Endovascular Surgeon. “It revolutionized the treatment of abdominal aneurysmal disease. Patients typically go home the next day and recover much more quickly than before.”
For more information about the Heart and Vascular Institute of Eastern Kentucky at PMC, call 606-430-2202.
