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Aneurysm Treatments

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Aneurysm Treatments

At Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, we have decades of experience caring for patients with aneurysms. Our doctors are pioneers in minimally invasive treatment and leaders in researching new aneurysm treatments that improve patient outcomes.

When you come for aneurysm care at Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, you can expect unmatched expertise and technology at the forefront of aneurysm treatment. Our team excels at bringing together multiple specialties with a variety of skills and collaborating to provide you with the best possible care. 

How are aneurysms diagnosed?

Our team uses sophisticated diagnostic testing tools to determine your condition and the exact type and location of the aneurysm. We were the first in the country to use a cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system known as Ambition MRI, which delivers superior imaging in less time. This and other next-generation imaging tools allow us to create more effective and personalized treatment plans.

Our Approach to Aneurysm Treatment

Our Approach to Aneurysm Treatment

When you come to us for aneurysm treatment, we do more than focus on a single part of your body. We examine your entire circulatory system, including the blood vessels that circulate blood through your body. It’s a whole-body approach to care that lets us catch the signs of any other problem areas as early as possible.

Our expert aneurysm program commits to giving you the best outcomes. That’s why we use the latest treatment options and are constantly working to develop the next generation of advanced therapies. Between 70 and 80 percent of our aneurysm treatments are minimally invasive. That means your hospital stay is shorter and your recovery is faster.

What is an Aneurysm?

An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of your blood vessel. They happen most often in an artery, but they can also develop in veins.

We don’t know the exact reason why an aneurysm occurs. There are likely several causes behind why the artery wall begins to break down. Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) may contribute to all types of aneurysms. But these factors may also play a role in an aneurysm’s development:

  • Congenital disorders (present at birth)
  • Genetic disorders
  • Head injury
  • High blood pressure
  • Infection
  • Pregnancy

Types of Aneurysms

Most aneurysms develop in the aorta, the largest artery in the body that carries oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of your limbs and organs. Thoracic aortic aneurysms happen in your chest. Abdominal aortic aneurysms develop in your abdomen.

Other types of aneurysms can occur in the:

  • Blood vessels in the legs (iliac, femoral or popliteal aneurysm)
  • Brain (cerebral aneurysm)
  • Intestines
  • Kidney
  • Neck
  • Spleen

Diagnosing Aneurysms

Speed is important when detecting and diagnosing an aneurysm. And every aneurysm is different. So, we rely on next-generation technologies to offer you the personalized care you need.

Our team uses the most sophisticated, leading-edge diagnostic imaging tools to determine what type of aneurysm you have and pinpoint its exact location. As a heart health leader, we were the first institute nationwide to use the cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system called Ambition MRI. This machine captures the highest quality images in less time. We also use other advanced imaging options and tests to diagnose aneurysms:

  • Arteriogram (X-ray image of arteries and veins)
  • CT scan
  • Echocardiogram (Ultrasound to evaluate heart structure and function)
  • Ultrasound of blood vessels, tissues and organs

Aneurysm Treatment Options

The highly skilled, expert surgeons in our aneurysm program are trained to deliver the best surgical care through traditional and minimally invasive procedures. Talk with your doctor about the surgery option that is best for you.

Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair

We can repair your abdominal aortic aneurysm in two ways.

  • Through a large cut (incision) in your belly, your surgeon sews a mesh, metal coil-like tube (called a stent or graft) to your aorta. This tube connects one end of your aorta at the aneurysm site to the other end.

  • Through small cuts in your groin, your surgeon uses X-ray guidance and specially designed tools to insert a stent or graft into your aorta. The graft material may cover the stent, and the stent helps keep the graft open and in place.

Cerebral Aneurysm Repair

We offer two surgical options to repair your cerebral (brain) aneurysm.

  • Your surgeon removes part of your skull to reach the aneurysm and places a metal clip across the neck of the aneurysm to stop blood flow into the bulging area. Then, the surgeon closes your skull.

  • This minimally invasive method is the most common cerebral aneurysm treatment. Your surgeon uses fluoroscopy (live X-ray) to thread a catheter from a blood vessel in your groin to the blood vessels in your brain, ending at the aneurysm’s exact location. They push tiny platinum coils into the aneurysm. The coils take on the shape of the aneurysm to clot it off (embolization) and stop blood flow, preventing rupture.

Thoracic Aneurysm Repair

Our surgeons can repair your thoracic aneurysm in two ways.

  • For ascending or aortic arch aneurysms, your surgeon makes a large cut through your breastbone. If the heart’s aortic valve is also damaged, your surgeon may fix or replace it during this procedure. For descending aneurysms, your surgeon may make a large cut that extends from your back under your shoulder blade, around your rib cage, to just under the breast. This way, they can clearly see the aneurysm to fix it.

  • Through small cuts in your groin, your surgeon uses X-ray guidance and special tools to insert a metal mesh coil (stent or graft) into your aorta.

Photo of Yadira Erriguible
"Every day I get better, I’m very grateful. I feel I can live a better life now. I’m looking forward to having a happy life."
Photo of Yadira Erriguible
Yadira Erriguible Brain Aneurysm Patient
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Meet our Aneurysm Specialists

Meet our Aneurysm Specialists

Our aneurysm program offers an outstanding, diverse team of specialists ready to serve you. Our electrophysiologists, interventional cardiologists, lipidologists, surgeons and rehabilitation professionals can provide treatment in all aspects of heart care.

Our Locations

We provide aneurysm treatment at several heart and vascular care locations throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach Counties. Find a location near you.

Aneurysm Clinical Trials

At Baptist Health Heart & Vascular Care, we’ve been a national and international leader in aneurysm research for decades. Our desire to improve aneurysm treatment and outcomes inspires our investigations. If you’re interested in being a partner in our research and want to learn more about our clinical trials, talk with your doctor or look through our list of ongoing trials.

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