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Cardiac Surgery: Aortic Aneurysm Surgery
Arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the rest of the body. The largest artery is the aorta. An aortic aneurysm forms when the walls of the artery weaken and/or expand. One danger with an aortic aneurysm is that the weakened walls could burst, creating a need for urgent medical attention. During aortic aneurysm surgery your surgeon replaces the weakened aortic wall with a manmade graft (a tube) of a strong fabric. Your surgeon secures the graft to the aorta during open surgery.
(Used with permission from Medtronic, Inc.)
(Used with permission from Medtronic, Inc.)
- Eat and sleep well before surgery. Proper nutrition and eight hours of sleep per night can help speed the healing process after surgery.
- Stop smoking. The sooner you stop smoking, the better your circulation and breathing will be – which will aid the healing process.
- List all medications you are taking. Include non-prescription drugs, vitamins, and other remedies on your list. Give this list to your medical team. Ask if, and when, you should stop taking any of these medications before the surgery.
- Tell your medical team if you are taking aspirin or blood thinners. They may ask you to stop taking them before the surgery to prevent excessive bleeding.
- Tell your medical team about any food or medicine allergies.
- Report any sicknesses. If you have any illness or a cold or sore throat, let your medical team know.
- Plan ahead. Arrange your home so you will be comfortable after surgery. Put common items within easy reach. Make sure phone numbers of family and friends and your medical team are easily accessible.
- Ask someone to stay with you after your surgery if you live alone. Just for the first few days.
- Arrange for someone to take you to the hospital and drive you home.
Before you check in:
- Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your surgery. This includes food, water, ice chips, alcohol, chewing gum or hard candy. Doing this prevents any stomach contents from getting into your lungs during surgery.
- Do not smoke before your surgery
- Take only the medications you have been told to take the morning of the surgery. Use just enough water to swallow your pills – two to three tablespoons at the most.
- You’ll be under general anesthesia, "put to sleep," for the duration of the surgery.
- Your surgeon will keep your family informed about the progress of your surgery.
- You’ll wake in an intensive care unit (ICU) or a heart monitoring floor where you will remain under careful observation until you are discharged.
- Your family will be able to visit after the nursing staff has settled you in place in the unit or floor
- If you are recovering from abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery, you will:
- Not be able to eat for several days
- Need intravenous hydration and calories
- Find early activity important in resuming normal functions
- Usually within one day you are transferred to a telemetry floor to regain strength and conditioning. You’ll be able to go home when you are able to move about independently.
- Tips for recovery at home:
- Try to increase activity as tolerated, but be patient with tiredness.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- It is important to keep your wound clean. We recommend daily showers.
- Some operations may require out-patient cardiac rehabilitation to help recovery.
- Lifting and driving may be restricted for a time.
Other procedures for this sub-specialty
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