Northwestern Memorial Hospital Logo

Home > Cardiovascular Institute > Vascular Disease

Surgery of the Aorta

Aortic surgery for arterial occlusive disease (blockages in the aorta or arteries) is done to restore blood flow to legs, kidneys and intestines affected by arterial disease. For an aneurysm, surgery is performed to prevent a rupture of the aneurysm. Medicine cannot treat these problems. Early treatment can avoid complications.

Surgery may involve:

• Removing the plaque (endarterectomy)
• Removing a blood clot from an artery or bypass graft (thrombectomy or embolectomy)
• Placing a bypass around a blockage in the aorta or an artery

A graft is used to bypass the blockage in an artery or aorta or replace the aneurysm. The graft is made out of a synthetic (man-made) material. Synthetic grafts are not rejected by the body but they can become infected.

Surgery of the aorta takes about four hours under general anesthesia.

There is some risk with every operation. The risk varies with each person, depending on the artery disease and the type of surgery. Although rare, bleeding, blockage of the bypass graft, infection, and heart problems, kidney failure and bowel obstruction may occur after surgery. These problems may require more surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks of your surgery.

Surgery is sometimes postponed due to another patient needing emergency surgery, or if you develop a fever, sore throat or cold. You are told of any delay as soon as possible. Surgery is postponed only when absolutely necessary.

Northwestern Memorial Hospital is affiliated with Northwestern University Medical School, which is involved in a variety of research studies. If you are asked to take part in one of these studies, the decision is yours. Please ask your doctor if you have any questions.

Review Date: 01/05