MaineHealth offers comprehensive thoracic aortic aneurysm management – spanning the aortic root, ascending, arch, descending and thoracoabdominal segments with open, endovascular (TEVAR), and hybrid techniques.
We support our patients through all aspects of this progressive disease, including acute/chronic cases, and patients with known or suspected connective tissue diseases. MaineHealth Maine Medical Center is the only hospital in Maine performing EKG-gated CT angiography, which offers the most accurate assessment of the thoracic aorta.
What is thoracic endovascular aneurysm repair (TEVAR)?
Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is a minimally invasive procedure to repair the major blood vessel in the body, called the aorta. The aorta exits the heart and carries blood to all the organs and the rest of the body. After leaving the heart, the aorta branches to the arms and the brain before running down the back of the chest (thorax) into the belly (abdomen). The aorta forks at the level of the belly button (umbilicus) into branches that go down each leg.
What happens during a TEVAR procedure?
To fix or "re-line" the aorta, doctors place a device through a small hole in your groin, known as a stent graft. This device is made of a fabric-covered metal mesh which is fully opened under X-ray. The device repairs the diseased aorta and helps to keep it open and allow blood to flow properly to the rest of the body. The aorta can be affected by a number of different diseases including aneurysm, dissection, transection and stenosis. The procedure usually takes around 2 hours to complete.
Next Steps for Patients
Provider Referrals
MaineHealth Cardiovascular Programs:
Aortic Disease Program
Carotid Revascularization Program
Comprehensive Vein Program
Limb Salvage Program
Rare Vascular Conditions Program
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Program
Advanced Heart Failure Program
Cardiac Valve Program
Coronary Revascularization Program
