Carotid And Aortic Aneurysm Surgery in Bangalore

An aneurysm refers to the enlargement of an artery that is caused by weakness in the arterial wall. While some aneurysms may not be dangerous or cause any symptoms, others may lead to serious life-threatening situations. A carotid aneurysm occurs when  there is a bulge in one of the carotid arteries. Carotid arteries are responsible for supplying blood to crucial areas like the brain, head, face and neck. Aorta, on the other hand, is the largest and a significant blood vessel in the body. A bulge in the aorta is referred to as aortic aneurysm. Sometimes these aneurysms can burst, causing heart attacks, kidney damage, stroke, and even death.

Carotid and Aortic Aneurysm Surgeries at Apollo Hospitals Karnataka

Aneurysms can be treated with surgical intervention. Doctors can perform open surgery or Endovascular stent grafting depending on the patient’s condition.

A particular surgical approach may be chosen by the surgeons at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka after a careful evaluation of the patient’s medical condition and medical history. While some types of aneurysms can be treated using minimally invasive endoscopic surgery, others may require traditional open surgery for treatment.

Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka provides specialised care, advanced diagnostic and treatment facilities under one roof for Carotid and Aortic aneurysms along with all types of cardiac issues.

Before procedure

Before going for any surgery, we follow a strict protocol and one-on-one consultation with the patient to get an accurate diagnosis, advise the patient regarding the procedure and create a personalised treatment plan. Common things that must be paid attention to before going for Carotid and Aortic Aneurysm Surgeries include the following:

1. Diagnostic testing: Every patient goes through a detailed diagnostic procedure where the doctors perform a thorough physical exam and evaluate the medical history. They will also run all the necessary tests to assess the current medical condition of the patient. These tests may include:
2. Blood tests
3. Ultrasound screening
4. MRI
5. CT Scan
6. Angiogram

1. Lifestyle recommendations: Our doctors will also recommend lifestyle recommendations to ensure that the patient gets maximum benefit from the procedure. These may include eating healthy, working out, stopping smoking, etc. This would be based on the current health status of the patient.
2. Consultation: Before scheduling the surgery, our doctors will have a detailed conversation with the patients explaining to them the risks and benefits of the procedure. They will also give the procedure-related instructions, like if they should fast on the day of the procedure and what precautions they need to take.
3. Medication: Certain medications will be prescribed while others may be stopped a few weeks before the surgery.
4. Planning and preparations: Planning for the surgery begins weeks before the procedure. Based on the patient’s latest medical records, our expert heart team will come up with a treatment plan and the surgical approach they may want to follow. During this time, patients are also advised to prepare for surgery mentally as well as physically. They must arrange for someone to drive them to the hospital, and be with them during recovery. They should also make arrangements at work and for any other required situations.

During procedure

What happens during the procedure depends if doctors opt for traditional open surgery or a minimally invasive procedure. Both procedures are done under general anaesthesia.

Traditional open surgery at Apollo Hospitals Karnataka:

Our surgeons will make an incision in your skin to assess the aneurysm. The location of the incision will depend on the location of the aneurysm, which could be in the chest or belly. The incision may be on the front or left side of your chest and may extend down to just below your belly button.

1. The doctors will then block the blood flow to the aneurysm by clamping the blood vessels.
2. Sometimes the patient will need to be connected to a heart-lung machine so that the blood keeps flowing throughout the rest of the body.
3. The aneurysm will then be replaced with a graft.
4. Once the graft is sewn in place with stitches, the incision will be closed.

Endovascular Stent Grafting Surgery at Apollo Hospitals Karnataka:

In this procedure, a similar procedure is done with a small puncture on the skin.

1. This approach involves surgery inside the artery using catheters guided by X-ray.
2. The surgeon makes a small puncture in your groin and threads the stent graft through your blood vessels to the aneurysm site.
3.  The graft expands and functions as a new path for blood flow, held in place by metallic hooks.

While open surgery is a traditional method and may be the choice of treatment in many cases,  endovascular surgery is a less invasive method. Your eligibility for endovascular stent grafting depends on the size and location of the aneurysm along with other factors.

After procedure

What happens after the procedure depends mostly on the type of surgery you went through.

1. If you had an open surgery, you might need to be in the ICU for a couple of days. You will have a catheter to help you urinate.
2. You may also need a ventilator and a tube connected through your nose and stomach to drain fluids.
3. Doctors will provide pain relief medications along with antibiotics and blood thinners.
4. Initially, you may be given fluids which will slowly transition to solid foods.
5. You will need to stay in the hospital for 5-7 days. This stay can be shorter if you have endovascular surgery.
6. Recovery may take anywhere from several weeks to months depending on what procedure was done.
7. Doctors at Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka will provide detailed instructions about how to take care and what precautions to take during recovery.
8. You will also be advised to attend all your follow-up consultations to keep track of your progress.

Complications & Risks

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with carotid and aortic aneurysm surgeries. Some complications associated with aneurysm surgery involve:

1. Infection
2. Excessive bleeding
3. Blood clots
4. Heart attack or stroke
5. Kidney failure
6. Nerve damage
7. Paralysis
8. Respiratory failure
9. Graft failure or leakage
10. Need for further surgery or procedures
11. Death (rare)

Who is not eligible?

Not everyone can qualify for an aneurysm. Our doctors will carefully evaluate every patient to ensure they are eligible candidates for open or endovascular surgery. Some of these factors that may make someone ineligible include:

1. Hostile abdomen
2. Obesity
3. Major cardiac or pulmonary comorbidities
4. Limited life expectancy

Apollo Hospitals, Karnataka has a dedicated cardiac care team that is equipped with the latest medical facilities and state-of-the-art infrastructure. We have treated hundreds of patients suffering from aneurysms successfully. If you suffer from carotid or aortic aneurysms, make an appointment with us today.