Has anyone had TEVAR (Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair) procedure?

Posted by bpetruccelli @bpetruccelli, Sep 17 6:41am

has anyone had a ascending aneurysm fixed with TEVAR ? if so could you please share your experience?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

Ask for written procedure from your doctor and go over what is specific to your case. Which artery it will be inserted in to insert a medical device that places a stent (usually thoracic region) . I found great explanation just searching internet as well. My husband had one in 2019 to place stent in thoracic region after they did emergency repair in 2018, they did additional repairs to aortic arch by opening him up, then closed and 24 hours later to address aortic dilation in thoracic region used the tevar procedure. He still has additional aneurysm in abdominal area which has stayed stable. What we were not told was our medical device was not approved yet and we were part of a test group. In 2020 our device was recalled by the FDA . because of various reasons. So my husband has CT scans every 6 months to monitor for endoleaks or new aneurysms created from the stent, It is less invasive procedure for your body, but as all procedures be aware of side affects for stents in general, which are life saving but are monitored and can result in additional procedures over time. We are now at year 6 post surgery and I am thankful for no other additional surgeries but the next one will require a customized stent by a specialist if the aneurysm reaches the recommended size over time for repair. It affects three arteries. We are close to that window.

REPLY

The below is from the Cleveland Clinic site, according to them TEVAR for ascending aortic aneurysms are rare and only used in emergencies when the patient could not survive open heart and is in dissection. There are developments going on for other devices and methods but right now the only effective treatment is OH.

All the best

REPLY

We had no idea about the why they chose processes they used, they were negligent with transparency, and we trusted the professional team, most likely why my comment stresses gaining knowledge about what they are doing and why. Lastly we have been told choosing surgeons that handle similar circumstances more frequently to get best practice.

REPLY
Profile picture for mb0926 @mb0926

Ask for written procedure from your doctor and go over what is specific to your case. Which artery it will be inserted in to insert a medical device that places a stent (usually thoracic region) . I found great explanation just searching internet as well. My husband had one in 2019 to place stent in thoracic region after they did emergency repair in 2018, they did additional repairs to aortic arch by opening him up, then closed and 24 hours later to address aortic dilation in thoracic region used the tevar procedure. He still has additional aneurysm in abdominal area which has stayed stable. What we were not told was our medical device was not approved yet and we were part of a test group. In 2020 our device was recalled by the FDA . because of various reasons. So my husband has CT scans every 6 months to monitor for endoleaks or new aneurysms created from the stent, It is less invasive procedure for your body, but as all procedures be aware of side affects for stents in general, which are life saving but are monitored and can result in additional procedures over time. We are now at year 6 post surgery and I am thankful for no other additional surgeries but the next one will require a customized stent by a specialist if the aneurysm reaches the recommended size over time for repair. It affects three arteries. We are close to that window.

Jump to this post

I cannot believe they would use a devise that has not been approved by the FDA without getting your consent !!! That is unbelievable!! Thank you for sharing that information. Totally negligent on their part.

The reason I asked the question is that I would like to weigh all my options. My ascending aneurysm is 4.4 cm and I am keeping a close eye on it. I am hoping to get minimally invasive surgery when the time comes. I have to go for a CT scan next month to see if it has grown ..
Good luck to you and your husband ! All the best

REPLY
Profile picture for mb0926 @mb0926

Ask for written procedure from your doctor and go over what is specific to your case. Which artery it will be inserted in to insert a medical device that places a stent (usually thoracic region) . I found great explanation just searching internet as well. My husband had one in 2019 to place stent in thoracic region after they did emergency repair in 2018, they did additional repairs to aortic arch by opening him up, then closed and 24 hours later to address aortic dilation in thoracic region used the tevar procedure. He still has additional aneurysm in abdominal area which has stayed stable. What we were not told was our medical device was not approved yet and we were part of a test group. In 2020 our device was recalled by the FDA . because of various reasons. So my husband has CT scans every 6 months to monitor for endoleaks or new aneurysms created from the stent, It is less invasive procedure for your body, but as all procedures be aware of side affects for stents in general, which are life saving but are monitored and can result in additional procedures over time. We are now at year 6 post surgery and I am thankful for no other additional surgeries but the next one will require a customized stent by a specialist if the aneurysm reaches the recommended size over time for repair. It affects three arteries. We are close to that window.

Jump to this post

I’m sorry to chime in here but to do any kind of procedure without at least prior speaking on the topic, much less to find one is part of a test group and not even having a clue!! Pardon my French but that’s some bullshit! C’mon that’s scary, right? I hope everything goes well from here and I’m certainly rooting for you and your husband. Best wishes

REPLY

I found out when I saw a woman get 1 million dollars for death of her actor husband from a tevar procedure on a news site. I had been given two cards to keep in my wallet for the serial numbers of the stents( think thats what they are called) when I googled it came back to the fda recall snd the info on the study. Needless to say no one shared any info, provider . Was very disappointed and shocked.

REPLY
Profile picture for mb0926 @mb0926

We had no idea about the why they chose processes they used, they were negligent with transparency, and we trusted the professional team, most likely why my comment stresses gaining knowledge about what they are doing and why. Lastly we have been told choosing surgeons that handle similar circumstances more frequently to get best practice.

Jump to this post

I suspect they had no other choice. They did it to save your husband's life.

REPLY

The first surgery was a 911. Surgery 2 was planned. Not an emergency. I regretted not asking for an explanation and understanding what and why they chose to do what they did. I felt like it was worthy of sharing.
Its just we were not told about the plan.

REPLY
Profile picture for mb0926 @mb0926

The first surgery was a 911. Surgery 2 was planned. Not an emergency. I regretted not asking for an explanation and understanding what and why they chose to do what they did. I felt like it was worthy of sharing.
Its just we were not told about the plan.

Jump to this post

@mb0926 I have an open general question . I have been searching for specialist surgeon who can repair my 5.5cm thorasic aortic aneurism.
I have encountered more that two “ sitting specialists “ in large medical facilities - the put me through all the costal scans and tests and then review the results and want to refer me to someone suitable to do the surgery. !!! They seem to do no surgeries themselves - just earn a fancy living passing people like me around for repeated CT scans, ultrasounds etc .
Is there a national / regional data base of surgeons listed by name, experiences and number of specific surgeries carried out with successful results/ failed results ? What organisation keeps track? How can we know if a surgeon has ever done a surgery like I need ? I am starting to doubt what they say . What they can/ cannot do? Why are they allowed to practice and not do surgeries ? Just profess to be experts ! Welcome your comments . Become sicker and sceptical!!!!!!

REPLY
Profile picture for rl1 @rl1

@mb0926 I have an open general question . I have been searching for specialist surgeon who can repair my 5.5cm thorasic aortic aneurism.
I have encountered more that two “ sitting specialists “ in large medical facilities - the put me through all the costal scans and tests and then review the results and want to refer me to someone suitable to do the surgery. !!! They seem to do no surgeries themselves - just earn a fancy living passing people like me around for repeated CT scans, ultrasounds etc .
Is there a national / regional data base of surgeons listed by name, experiences and number of specific surgeries carried out with successful results/ failed results ? What organisation keeps track? How can we know if a surgeon has ever done a surgery like I need ? I am starting to doubt what they say . What they can/ cannot do? Why are they allowed to practice and not do surgeries ? Just profess to be experts ! Welcome your comments . Become sicker and sceptical!!!!!!

Jump to this post

@rl1 Hi your experience was different from mine, I searched for the best thoracic surgeon in my area (Houston) consulted with my PCP and he helped me get recommendations. My surgeon, the only one I saw was incredible, incredibly knowledgeable and wonderful bedside manners, a member of one of the two top teams in Houston. He did my surgery 3 months after I first saw him.

Maybe try the Society of Thoracic Surgeons, https://www.sts.org/ they seem to keep a database of surgeries and outcomes

Good luck, I think you just haven’t found the right one

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.