aneurysm

Weakening in the wall of an artery, causing it to balloon outwards with the risk of rupture and serious, often fatal, blood loss. If detected in time, some accessible aneurysms can be repaired by bypass surgery, but such major surgery carries a high risk for patients in poor health.

British doctors 1995 devised a less invasive method of surgery involving the use of catheters to insert a polyester graft directly into the aorta via the groin. The graft is reinforced with a shape-memory alloy that expands at blood temperature. When the graft has been correctly positioned, the catheter is withdrawn and the graft expands, pushing against the aorta wall and becoming anchored. The procedure may eventually be carried out under local anaesthetic.