Endoleaks after Endovascular Repair of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms (EVAR)

Endovascular aneurysm repair, or endovascular aortic repair (EVAR), is a type of endovascular surgery used most often to treat an aortic abdominal aneurysm. EVAR is a minimally invasive surgical option and is done without a large incision. Instead, the doctor makes a small incision in the groin. He or she will insert special instruments through a catheter in an artery in the groin and thread them up to the aneurysm. At the aneurysm, your doctor will place the stent and graft to support the aneurysm.

“Endoleaks” are among the unique complications seen after EVAR. An endoleak occurs when blood continues to flow through the aneurysm sac. This animation from Johns Hopkins Division of Vascular Surgery demonstrates various types of endoleaks experienced following placement of a stent during EVAR procedures.