Click on the image above to view treatment options for aneurysm.
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Emory at the Forefront
Dr. Elliot Chaikof, the current chief of the Division of Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy, established the first Emory clinical program for endovascular aortic aneurysm repair in 1994. Over the last decade a wide range of clinical trials essential to the development of endovascular stent grafting in the abdominal and thoracic aorta have been initiated by members of the vascular faculty. Division surgeons are now global leaders in this minimally invasive approach, having treated over 800 patients with aortic aneurysms. In 2007, division surgeons performed over 350 aortic aneurysm repairs.
The research component of the service also continues to be robust. For example:
Dr. Ross Milner began conducting a study in 2004 to assess a new sensor system that can directly measure aneurysm sac pressure following endograft placement. If his findings are positive, the system could become a viable alternative to the traditional method of CT scanning using potentially kidney-damaging contrast dye (view a video press release on the procedure).
Dr. Karthikeshwar Kasirajan has lead studies focused on the endovascular treatment of aortic dissections and other complex pathology.
Dr. Ravi Veeraswamy is directing the Emory component of a national study examining the most appropriate patient subgroups with abdominal aortic aneurysms best treated with open surgical and endovascular therapy.
Description and Diagnosis
Carrying blood away from the heart to the rest of the body, the aorta is the body's largest artery. The thoracic aorta runs through the chest, the abdominal aorta through the stomach area. Aneurysms are caused when the thoracic or abdominal aorta weakens, whereupon expansion or bulging occurs with danger of rupture if left untreated. Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) are more common than thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs), though both can be equally deadly if allowed to progress to the point of bursting, resulting in severe internal bleeding.
AAAs can often be diagnosed with duplex ultrasound scanning, a test taking less than 30 minutes at the Emory Non-Invasive Vascular Laboratory, while TAAs are detected by CT scanning done by division faculty. To schedule a session at the non-invasive lab, prospective patients can call (404) 778-3712; referring physicians should contact Annette Gunnoud, RVT, at (404) 778-3326. Other diagnostic methods for evaluating aortic aneurysms are MRI and angiography.
Surgical and Endovascular Treatment
If the aneurysm meets certain parameters, division surgeons will perform minimally invasive, endovascular stent graft repair, delivering a graft to replace the weakened portion of the aorta through a small incision in the groin via long, thin tubes called catheters. The hospital stay is often only one or two days, with most patients returning to work and normal daily activities in about a week.
For those cases where endovascular repair is inappropriate, the traditional open procedure will be performed. With both methods, long-term follow-up with periodic scans are necessary to monitor the site of repair.
Scheduling a Surgery Consultation
Following diagnosis, an initial consultation with a division surgeon can be scheduled by calling (404) 778-3712 from 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), Monday through Friday. Another scheduling option is to contact Emory HealthConnectionSM at (404) 778-7777 or 1-800-75-EMORY, Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. HealthConnectionSM offers immediate access to information on Emory services and physicians and can assist in making appointments.
Referring physicians should contact Julie Bumgardner, NP-C, clinical coordinator for the division, at (404) 778-3022.
Pressure Sensor for Aortic Aneurysms
This video features a participant in the study who had a sensor implanted, plus video of the surgery.
Featuring: Dr. Ross Milner, Emory Vascular Surgeon, and Pope Watson, Study Participant
