The typical treatment options for aneurysms near the heart are medications and two types of surgery: open abdominal or open chest repair and endovascular repair, explains the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Aneurysms that are small or not producing symptoms do not always require treatment.Continue Reading
Depending on the nature of the aneurysm, the goals for treatment of aortic aneurysms may include keeping the aneurysm from growing larger or preventing and fixing damage to nearby tissues, notes the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Another goal may be to minimize the chances of or treat a rupture. Common medications prescribed to patients with aortic aneurysms include calcium channel blockers and beta blockers.
When surgery is indicated for an aortic aneurysm, an open abdominal or open chest repair is most commonly performed, states the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Prior to undergoing the procedure, the patient receives general anesthesia. The surgeon makes a large incision in the abdomen or chest to access and remove the aneurysm. Alternatively, an endovascular repair is a surgical procedure that does not involve removal of the aneurysm. Instead, the operation involves the insertion of a stent graft into the aorta. The stent graft provides added support to the portion of the aorta weakened by the aneurysm, lessening the chances of a rupture.Learn more about Cardiac Health