Procedure to help prevent aortic rupture now available in Singapore

Using a personalised 3D-printed sleeve, it can stop an aneurysm from growing

- Zhaki Abdullah

Aortic aneurysms — where the aorta, the largest artery in the human body, swells to more than 1½ times its normal size — are estimated to result in up to 200,000 deaths worldwide annually.

In cases of aortic rupture, when all the layers of the aorta wall tear, there is an 80 per cent mortality rate.

An innovative surgical procedure, now available in Singapore, can stop an aneurysm from growing and prevent an aortic rupture from happening.

Originating from the heart's left ventricle, the aorta is the body's main artery, directing oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body.

An aortic aneurysm can be caused by many factors, such as high blood pressure, genetic conditions or aortic valve issues.

The condition is often under-diagnosed, thus increasing the risk that the bulge in the aorta continues to grow and eventually ruptures along the elastic wall, resulting in rapid, life-threatening blood loss.

To reduce the risk of such an occurrence, the National University Heart Centre, Singapore (NUHCS) has introduced a procedure called personalised external aortic root support (Pears), which uses a custom-made, open-mesh support sleeve to reinforce a weakened aorta.