My husband has just been to the Cleveland Clinic because of the location of his AAA. He had open heart surgery 4 years ago and has CAD. His ejection fraction is 40-45. At the Cleveland Clinic, a research trial has been going on for about 10 years treating AAA that involves placing a stent that is made to the specific patient's anatomy so that there are openings at the exact point of the kidney, gastric and all arteries involved in that area. After the stent is placed in the aorta, via the femoral artery, then another guide places stents in each of the arteries mentioned above. It takes 3 months for the device (stent or graft) to be made in Australia, two wks to ship to Cleveland Clinic and two wks to schedule the surgery. CC and a site in California are the only two places in the US that do this. However, it is being done routinely in Europe, Canada and Australia. My husband is 83 and may be too high a risk to have the procedure done as he has COPD and some other health issues. His aneurysm is long and measures 7 cm in diameter. The doctor explained to us that the surgery takes 6 hrs, at least 3 days in ICU and several days on the hospital unit until he is strong enough to return to Cincinnati to a rehabilitation facility for however long it takes for nearly complete recovery. There is a 2-7% risk of paralysis from the waist down, heart attack, and stroke, plus others. If he wants to take the risks, he is eligible for the procedure. As far as coping, he is taking it a day at a time but I think he is pretty depressed and fearful of a rupture of the aneurysm. We do pray continually for guidance and peace to accept what will be.

My mother just found out she has and an aortic abdominal aneurysm and its 3cm she just found out today. I am looking for any advice and information. How is your husband doing?