Supra-renal and thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms
Thoraco-abdominal aortic aneurysms are a bulging of the walls of the aorta stretching its diameter to a point where it will rupture. If an aneurysm is left untreated then it will eventually rupture with significant risk of death, over 80%. However, the national service based within the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh offers repair of these extensive aneurysms which extend along the thoracic and abdominal sections of the aorta, using an open surgical procedure or radiological treatment using endovascular stent grafts.
The team undertaking this substantial procedure are multi disciplinary comprising interventional radiologists, anaesthetists, surgeons, nurses and cardiologists. The team have seen activity increase which is a positive development as many individuals are undiagnosed within the community and as a result are left untreated until either an aneurysm is found serendipitously or rupture occurs. Elective surgery or interventional repair is the preferred and safer form of treatment as risks and co-morbidities can be assessed and better managed.
Lead clinician:
Mr Rod Chalmers
Service contact address:
Scottish Thoraco-abdominal & Aortic Aneurysm Service
Ward 105
Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh
Little France Cresecent
Edinburgh
EH16 4SA
National Services Division contacts:
To contact members of NSD staff, please visit our staff contacts page.
Belinda Henshaw, Programme Manager
