Open Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
Open repair of a TAA is surgery to remove an aneurysm (bulge) in your aorta. The aorta is a large blood vessel that goes from your heart down into your abdomen. The TAA will be replaced with a graft (tube). After surgery, blood will flow through the graft instead of the aneurysm.
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DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:
Call, or have someone call, your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have any of the following signs of a heart attack:
- Squeezing, pressure, or pain in your chest
- You may also have any of the following:
- Discomfort or pain in your back, neck, jaw, stomach, or arm
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea or vomiting
- Lightheadedness or a sudden cold sweat
- You have any of the following signs of a stroke:
- Numbness or drooping on one side of your face
- Weakness in an arm or leg
- Confusion or difficulty speaking
- Dizziness, a severe headache, or vision loss
- You cough up blood.
- You have trouble breathing.
- You feel dizzy, faint, or lose consciousness.
- You cannot be woken.
Seek care immediately if:
- You have a fever or chills.
- Your surgery area is red, swollen, or has pus.
- You have stiffness, swelling, or a lump in your abdomen.
- Your leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- Blood soaks through your bandage.
- Your surgery area comes apart.
- Your buttocks or legs feel numb or cold, and your skin is pale or darker than usual.
- You see blood in your bowel movements.
- You cannot control your urine or bowel movements.
Call your doctor or surgeon if:
- You have nausea or are vomiting.
- Your skin is itchy, swollen, or has a rash.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- Nausea medicine prevents or treats nausea or vomiting.
- Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
- Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
- Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
- Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
- Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip does or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
- Antiplatelets , such as aspirin, help prevent blood clots. Take your antiplatelet medicine exactly as directed. These medicines make it more likely for you to bleed or bruise. If you are told to take aspirin, do not take acetaminophen or ibuprofen instead.
- NSAIDs , such as ibuprofen, help decrease swelling, pain, and fever. This medicine is available with or without a doctor's order. NSAIDs can cause stomach bleeding or kidney problems in certain people. If you take blood thinner medicine, always ask your healthcare provider if NSAIDs are safe for you. Always read the medicine label and follow directions.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Blood pressure (BP) medicine lowers or controls your BP to help prevent a heart attack, stroke, or another aneurysm.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Rest often:
Slowly increase your activity each day. Wait several days before you repeat an activity that causes pain.
Take deep breaths and cough 10 times each hour:
This will help open your airway and decrease your risk for a lung infection. Take a deep breath and hold it for as long as you can. Then let the air out and cough strongly. You may be given an incentive spirometer to help you take deep breaths. Put the plastic piece in your mouth and take a slow, deep breath. Then let the air out and cough. Repeat these steps 10 times every hour.
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Care for the surgery area:
- Keep the area clean and dry. Your healthcare provider will tell you when it is okay to bathe. Carefully wash around the area with soap and water. Let the soap and water run over the area. Do not scrub the area. Pat the area dry with a clean towel. Check for signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or pus. Then put on a new, clean bandage. Change your bandage as often as directed and if it gets wet or dirty.
- Do not lift objects heavier than 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks. This can put too much stress on your surgery area and cause the area to open.
Go to cardiac rehabilitation (rehab) as directed:
Cardiac rehab is a program run by a team of specialists who will help you create a management plan. A management plan can help you recover safely from surgery. The plan includes exercise, relaxation, stress management, and heart-healthy nutrition. Your team will also check to make sure any medicines you were given after surgery are working. The plan may also include instructions for when you can drive, return to work, and do other normal daily activities.
Do not use tobacco products or stimulating drugs:
Nicotine in tobacco products can cause blood vessel damage, delay healing, and increase your risk for another aneurysm. E-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco still contain nicotine. Talk to your healthcare provider or rehab team before you use these in place of cigarettes. Avoid secondhand smoke. Stimulating drugs such as cocaine increase your BP. A high BP increases the risk for a burst aneurysm.
Know the risks if you choose to drink alcohol:
Alcohol can increase your BP. Ask your provider if it is okay for you to drink any alcohol. Your provider can help you set limits for the number of drinks you have within 24 hours and within 1 week. A drink of alcohol is 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1½ ounces of liquor.
Follow up with your doctor or surgeon as directed:
You may need to return for scans to check your aorta and graft. Your providers will tell you when and how often to return. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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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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