What is an endovascular stent graft?
Endovascular means that surgery is performed inside the body using thin, long tubes called catheters. Through small incisions in the groin, the catheters are used to guide a stent graft through the blood vessels to the site of the aneurysm. An endovascular stent graft is a small, wire mesh tube (also called a scaffold) that reinforces the weak spot in the aorta. By sealing the area tightly with the artery above and below the aneurysm, the graft allows blood to pass through it without pushing on the aneurysm. What are the benefits of endovascular repair? Endovascular repair of thoracic aneurysms is generally less painful and has a lower risk of complications than traditional open-chest surgery because the incisions are smaller. The use of endovascular stent grafts is particularly beneficial for those patients who are not candidates for open-chest surgery, due to the risks it presents. While a new and evolving approach, Cleveland Clinic surgeons are paving the way for successful use of e
