Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair is surgery to fix an aneurysm in your abdominal aorta. The aorta is a large artery from your heart that runs down through your chest and abdomen (stomach). An aortic aneurysm is a weak, stretched, and widened part of your aorta. It is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) if it occurs in your abdomen. If your AAA occurs with an aneurysm in your chest, it is called thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA). An aneurysm that is too big, causes symptoms, or is likely to rupture (burst) will need repair.
  
  
• AAA repair may be done in different ways depending on where your aneurysm is located. Your caregiver may make an incision (cut) in the middle of your abdomen. The midline incision may start at your chest and go down to your abdomen. Your caregiver may also do an incision across the left side of your abdomen. The aneurysm is then cut open, cleaned out, and removed. A graft (man-made tube) is sewn in and replaces the removed aneurysm to allow for normal function.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a current list of your medicines: Include the amounts, and when, how, and why you take them. Take the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency. Throw away old medicine lists. Use vitamins, herbs, or food supplements only as directed.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping, or if you feel you are having side effects. Use all medicines given to control other health conditions as directed by your caregivers. These conditions include diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart, lung, or kidney disease. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.

Ask for information about where and when to go for follow-up visits:

For continuing care, treatments, or home services, ask for more information.

Self-care:

• Blood pressure checks: You may need to check your blood pressure regularly. Make sure it stays within the level advised by your caregiver. Ask your caregiver to teach you or a family member how to take your blood pressure. High blood pressure can cause problems after your surgery.
  
  
• Do not smoke: Smoking harms the heart, lungs, and the blood. If you smoke, you should quit. You are more likely to have a heart attack, lung disease, and cancer with smoking. Ask your caregiver for more information about how to stop smoking if you are having trouble quitting.

For more information:

Contact the following:

• American Heart Association National Center
  7272 Greenville Avenue
  Dallas , TX 75231-4596
  Phone: 1- 800 - 242-8721
  Web Address: http://www.americanheart.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You are sick to your stomach or throwing up.
  
  
• You have a fever or chills.
  
  
• You have trouble having a bowel movement (BM), diarrhea (loose BM), or you have blood in your BM.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your bandage becomes soaked with blood, or your incision is swollen, red, or has pus coming from it.
  
  
• Your feet become very cold or turn pale or blue.
  
  
• You have pain in your chest, abdomen, back, or side.
  
  
• Your stitches come apart.
  
  
• You urinate less than before or not at all.
  
  
• You have chest pain or trouble breathing that is getting worse over time.
  
  
• You suddenly feel lightheaded and have trouble breathing.
  
  
• You have new and sudden chest pain. You may have more pain when you take deep breaths or cough. You may cough up blood.
  
  
• Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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