Hospital da Luz Vila Real performed, on September 20, an endovascular treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (EVAR) . This is the first time an intervention of the kind is done in the region of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro. The abdominal aortic aneurysm is an abnormal dilatation of the abdomen main artery, usually without symptoms, affecting mostly men over 60 and smokers. The primary cause is arthrosclerosis. This dilatation can be progressive and if the artery reaches higher dimensions or specific anatomical characteristics, it may burst. Without treatment, that leads to death in 100% of cases. The technological innovation made it possible to find an alternative treatment to the classical open abdominal surgery, in order to treat these aneurysms. Presently, the repair of the majority of these aortic aneurysms is done through endovascular prosthesis introduced by the groin arteries (femoral arteries), with local anaesthesia and practically no cuts. Therefore, this technique also diminishes the risks of complication and mortality. The vascular surgery group from Hospital da Luz Vila Real includes Mário Vieira (coordinator), Marina Neto, Joana Ferreira and João Rocha Neves. With this team, the population of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro has now access to this innovation in the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms, a state-of-the-art technique with proven benefits . In the photo above, the vascular surgery team from Hospital da Luz Vila Real that performed the first EVAR treatment.
