I am a 69 year old male in excellent health. Myabdominal aortic aneurysm was discovered in 1991 duringpreparations for a radical prostatecomy. At that time it measured 3cm. I had a sonogram during my yearly physical and watched theaneurysm grow slowly to 4 cm by the spring of 1999; it took justone year for it to reach 5 cm, the minimum size for repair at theMayo Clinic in Jacksonville where it was being monitored.
Mayo began offering the endovascular repair as astandard procedure within the past 6 months. I had been followingthis procedure in the Journals and on this website and was verypleased that I would be offered the opportunity to take advantageof this less invasive operation. After a series of tests, orderedby the vascular surgeon, Dr A. G. Hakaim, I was approved for theendovascular repair.
Dr Hakaim and his team performed the procedure at 2pm on Monday, May 15, 2000, at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. At2 pm on Wednesday afternoon, I was eating lunch on my lanai, 200miles from Jacksonville. The only pain I experienced was a stingingsensation in my groin at the site of the two incisions. I did notuse any of the prescribed pain medication and did not use painmedication during my short hospital stay. After two weeks, Iresumed my normal activities which include biking, tennis andgolf.
Today is June 14, 2000. I have just returned froman interview with Dr Hakaim. He said my one month post-op CT scanshowed the stent to be in place and not leaking. He said he expectsmy 6 month CT scan to show the aneursym substantially reduced insize.
I hope this information will of of some assistanceto anyone who faces the difficult decision on the best way torepair their aotic aneurysm.
Update: 6 Jun 2002
On May 15, 2002, I had my 24 month follow-up to theendovascular repair that is documented in my original statement. DrAlbert Haikim at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, reported that myaneurysm had been reduced to 3.7 cm. He said he is confident itwill continue to shrink. The FDA has mandated a check of this typeof repair every 6 months. Dr Haikim said they continue to use theendovascular repair when the patient is qualified for it and thattheir studies show the survival rate for this procedure is the sameas that for open surgery repairs.
Update: 31 Mar 2003
Just completed my 3 year post-op check-up. Myaneurysm appears to have stabilized at about 3.75 cm. This was the9th iodine dye CT scan I have had in 4 years and I am beginning tobecome concerned about being exposed to this much radiation. I havebeen told I must continue to have it checked every 6 months becausethis was a condition of the FDA approval of the MedtronicAneurex© Stint.
Would appreciate hearing from other endovascularpost-ops to compare their results with mine.