Predictive factors of complications following elective endovascular Essay

Predictive factors of complications following elective endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) - Essay Example The aorta is the primary vessel carrying fresh blood to vital organs and any functional or structural defect can lead to a high risk situation. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) is a serious disorder which results in the permanent dilatation of the terminal portion of the abdominal aorta which is prone to rupture and a major cause of death in the developed countries encountered in recent years (Vorp, 2006). Aneurysm develops due to the degeneration of the aortic wall which results in the increased pressure of blood on the vessel wall and can result in its mechanical disruption and internal haemorrhage. Mostly such aneurysms are encountered in aging males but incidences in females have also occurred. The usual symptoms are abdominal and back pain as well as tenderness on palpation (Davis & Taylor, 2007). In case of rupture, the prognosis is usually grave with little chances of recovery after open surgery, as usually at such advanced ages comorbidities are the complicating factors. Regul ar monitoring and scanning in persons predisposed to such a condition is therefore absolutely essential and a surgical intervention can be undertaken before the rupture actually occurs. The usual approach employed for a long time was open surgery, but a new technique of endoluminal repair developed by Volodos and Parodi in 1991 subsequently named as endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR) revolutionized the treatment as a more successful and less invasive procedure (Davis & Taylor, 2007). The technique has received encouraging response from surgeons in different locations and is steadily being refined by making it less invasive through the use of newer innovations of technology as well as trying for a percutaneous access to the aorta. Elective surgery is indicated based on the prediction of an impending rupture when risk parameters such as the size and growth rate of the aneurysm are evaluated. When the aortic diameter increases to an extent > 5.5 cm in males or the