When 62-year-old Harbhajan (name changed), a retired banker from Panipat, began experiencing vague abdominal discomfort and occasional back pain, he assumed it was a digestive issue. There were no alarming symptoms, just a sense of fullness and mild fatigue. However, during a routine health check-up, his physician noticed an abnormal pulsation in his abdomen and referred him to Artemis Hospital, Gurgaon, for further evaluation.
A contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen revealed a large abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), a bulging, weakened section of the aorta, the main blood vessel supplying blood to the body. The aneurysm was dangerously close to the size at which rupture becomes highly likely, and surgical intervention was urgently advised.
Given the location and size of the aneurysm, the cardiovascular surgery team at Artemis proposed a complex, minimally invasive procedure known as EVAR (Endovascular Aneurysm Repair). This advanced technique allows the aneurysm to be repaired from within the blood vessel, avoiding a large open incision and significantly reducing the risks associated with traditional open surgery.
Harbhajan underwent the procedure under general anaesthesia. Through small incisions in the groin, the surgical team inserted a stent graft and guided it precisely into the weakened portion of the aorta. Once deployed, the graft effectively reinforced the arterial wall and redirected blood flow, preventing pressure on the aneurysm. The entire procedure was completed in under two hours.
Recovery was smooth. Harbhajan was walking the next day and was discharged within 72 hours. Follow-up imaging confirmed that the aneurysm was fully excluded from the blood flow and stable. Today, he is back to leading a normal life with regular monitoring and a renewed awareness of his health.
This case highlights the life-saving potential of early detection and advanced surgical innovation. Aortic aneurysms are often silent until they rupture—by then, outcomes are far worse. At Artemis Hospitals, the availability of aortic aneurysm specialists and cutting-edge techniques like EVAR allows us to manage high-risk vascular conditions with greater safety, precision, and long-term success.
