Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR) is a recently developed treatment for patients with distal arch, descending or thoraco-abdominal aneurysms. Cedars-Sinai now offers this new approach and since late 2005, Cedars-Sinai surgeons have successfully repaired complex thoracic aortic aneurysms in high-risk patients using a minimally invasive catheter approach. X-ray and ultrasound are used by surgeons and radiologists to guide the delivery of a graft-covered stent within the aneurysm, through a small incision in the groin. As of March 2007, TEVAR patients compared to open surgery patients have had no mortality (0% vs. 5%) and have shown a reduction in paraplegia (0% vs. 3%); one patient who developed transient paraparesis had a complete recovery.

TEVAR is performed using a comprehensive team approach by experienced thoracic aortic surgery and interventional radiology teams at Cedars-Sinai. Team members involved include cardiothoracic surgeons, interventional radiologists, anesthesiologists, thoracic aortic nurse practitioner, cardiothoracic physician assistants, liaison nurses, and interventional technicians.

The image represents a post-operative 64-slice CT-angiogram of a 60-year-old male with a history of smoking, hypertension and saccular distal arch aneurysm who presented with chest pain. After a complete work up, he was found to have severe coronary artery disease requiring triple coronary artery bypass grafting using all arterial conduits. Three months later, he was successfully treated with a stent repair of his distal arch aneurysm using TEVAR. He was discharged home within 24 hours without any complications.

For additional information about the TEVAR procedure, please contact us at 877-TASP MDS (877-827-7637).