The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
What is an endovascular aneurysm?
An aneurysm occurs when the wall of a blood vessel weakens causing it to bulge (swell). This can be dangerous if it gets bigger and ruptures (bursts).
If you’ve been diagnosed with an aneurysm, your consultant may suggest you have EVAR treatment if they find a vascular abnormality, known as an aneurysm, in your abdomen or chest.
Aneurysms don't usually have any symptoms until they burst, by which point you'd require emergency treatment. So preventative treatment is often the best course of action. An endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a type of keyhole surgery, that your consultant may recommend.
Need to know
It involves a graft (stent) being inserted into your blood vessel and placed inside the aneurysm. This is done through small cuts made in your skin via your groin, using x-ray images. Your blood will start to flow through the graft rather than the aneurysm, this will take pressure off the aneurysm and significantly reduce the chance of it rupturing.
It is less invasive than other surgical treatment options which means that you should have a quicker recovery time.
As with all procedures, there may be some risks and side effects involved. Your surgeon will explain these to you and answer any questions you have. The EVAR is usually done while you’re asleep under general anaesthetic. We will let you know in advance how long to avoid eating and drinking before your surgery.
When the procedure is completed, you should be able to eat and drink normally once you are fully awake.
Prior to your procedure, your consultant will explain the EVAR to you and answer any questions you might have.
You'll be cared for in hospital for one or two nights so we can monitor your progress. We'll give you pain relief if you need it. When you're ready to go home, please arrange for someone to collect you as you won't be able to drive. You should have someone stay with you for the first 24 hours.
Before you go home, your consultant will let you know when you can get back to your usual routine (including work), and your medical team will talk to you about staying well.
Our EVAR locations
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place NW8 9LE London
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street SE1 2PR London
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street W1G 8BJ London
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place W1U 5NY London
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.