Aortic aneurysm proceduresWhat is an aortic aneurysm? The aorta is the body's main artery. It carries blood away from the heart. When a bulge occurs in this artery, it is called an aortic aneurysm. If the bulge bursts, it can cause serious bleeding and quickly lead to death. Conditions including high blood pressure or normal aging can weaken the artery walls, leading to bulges. Aortic aneurysms in the upper part of the chest are called thoracic aortic aneurysms, while those occuring lower in the body are called abdominal aortic aneurysms. Some aneurysms cause chest, stomach or back pain, while others remain undetected until they're found during a physical exam. The physicians at Novant Health Vascular Specialists have a variety of tools for diagnosing and treating aortic aneurysm. Endovascular repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) Endovascular repair of an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a minimally invasive procedure. A small incision is made in the groin to allow the surgeon to insert very small instruments. Those instruments allow the surgeon to see the arteries and to reach the aorta. The surgeon can insert a device called a stent-graft. Eventually, the aneurysm will shrink to the size of the stent. Click here to learn more about endovascular aortic aneurysm repair. Aneurysm repair with graftAneurysm repair with graft begins with an incision in the abdomen through which the surgeon accesses the aneurysm. The surgeon will use a long tube called a graft to repair the aneurysm by attaching to the aneurysm and guiding it back to a more normal size. Click here to learn more about abdominal aortic aneurysm open repair. Pre-op and post-op surveillanceNovant Health Vascular Specialists offers complete pre-operative and post-operative surveillance for patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm procedures. You will be given detailed pre-op instructions as well as guidance about what to expect before and after your procedure.