Visceral Artery Aneurysms
A visceral artery is a blood vessel that leads to an organ inside your abdomen, such as the intestines, spleen, and liver. A visceral artery aneurysm occurs when the wall of a visceral artery weakens and balloons out, which may cause it to rupture or burst. A ruptured aneurysm is a life-threatening event.
At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, we treat visceral artery aneurysms with minimally invasive approaches, including stent graft implantation and embolization – both safe and highly effective treatments that help prevent rupture in the artery and get you back to normal life.
Embolization & Stent Graft Implementation
Our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center, treat visceral aneurysms of the superior mesenteric (pancreatic, intestinal) artery, splenic (spleen) artery, celiac (abdominal) artery, and hepatic (liver) artery aneurysms. We use embolization and stent graft implementation, which involve a catheter inserted into an artery, usually in the groin, to access the aneurysm.
In embolization, the interventional radiologist packs the aneurysm with tiny metallic coils or other blocking ("embolic") agents, or they use liquid embolization, the injection of a glue, gel or another liquid agent, to plug the aneurysm. In stent graft implementation, the interventional radiologist will fit a fabric-covered, metal mesh tube (stent) inside your artery.
Both embolization and stent graft implementation are minimally-invasive and very effective when performed by an experienced interventional radiologist. Most of our patients go home on the day of their procedure and are back to normal activities within a week.
How do I get ready for the procedure?
On the night before the procedure eat a light meal, then do not eat or drink anything after midnight. We will provide you with more detailed information about which medications you may take in days before and on the morning of the procedure. Plan to have someone accompany you home after the procedure.
Are there any risks?
Embolization and stent graft implementation are safe procedures, and any serious complications (reaction to contrast dye used before the procedure; a blood clot in the treated artery; a ruptured blood vessel) occur in less than 2 to 4% of cases. Other complications can include bleeding at the site of catheter insertion, blood pooling in the soft tissue around the affected artery (pseudoaneurysm), or arteriovenous fistula, an abnormal connection created between the artery and vein.
After the procedure
Most people go home within the same day as the procedure but remain in bed for six to 24 hours to rest and recover. You should avoid lifting more than 10 pounds for the first few days to avoid putting undue pressure on the insertion site. Your healthcare team will provide additional instructions before you leave the interventional radiology suite.
Why Choose Us
World-Class interventional radiology expertise
Our board-certified interventional radiologists from ColumbiaDoctors offer unmatched expertise in the latest minimally invasive, image-guided procedures to diagnose and treat even the most complex cases. In addition to caring for patients, our experts are involved in educating residents, fellows and medical students and in a wide range of research endeavors. Our interventional radiologists frequently collaborate with specialists throughout the NewYork-Presbyterian healthcare network, placing them at the forefront of advanced medical imaging and minimally invasive treatments.
Cutting-edge technologies
At NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, we are continually committed to incorporating the latest cutting-edge imaging technologies into your care, including X-ray fluoroscopy, computer tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound. Each new generation of equipment provides better outcomes and reduces the patient’s exposure to radiation.
Book a Radiology Appointment Today
Patients can book Radiology appointments online via NYP.org/Connect as long as the patient has an Epic Order. Radiology appointments for X-Ray, ultrasound, bone density, echocardiogram, and limited CT and MRI scans.