Aorta Graft Surgery Cost & Symptoms

This surgery is performed to avoid serious cardiovascular consequences, primarily due to the following conditions:

• Aortic Aneurysm: When the wall of the aorta becomes weak and starts to bulge outwards like a balloon. The threshold for surgery depends on the location of the aneurysm, its growth rate, symptoms, and patient-specific risk factors. For abdominal aortic aneurysms, repair is often recommended at approximately 5.5 cm in men and 5.0 cm in women, while thoracic aneurysm thresholds differ.
• Aortic Dissection: This is a serious condition in which the inner lining of the aorta tears and blood begins to move between the layers of the blood vessel wall. In surgically treated dissections, the affected segment of the aorta may be replaced with a synthetic graft.

The following are the primary types of stent graft treatment for modern vascular treatment:

• Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (EVAR): This procedure is mainly used for treating abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA). A stent graft is placed into the aorta via the femoral artery to strengthen the weakened area and help to prevent aortic rupture.
• Thoracic Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (TEVAR): TEVAR is for an aneurysm in the thoracic (chest) section of the aorta. It works in a similar way to EVAR and helps keep the area stable, substantially lowering the chance of rupture.
• Fenestrated Stent Grafting: This technique is used in complex aneurysms that involve major branch arteries such as the renal or mesenteric vessels. The graft is specially designed with small openings or fenestrations to maintain the flow of blood through these important arteries during repair of the aorta.
• Branched Stent Grafting: An advanced technique for treating highly complex aneurysms in the area of critical branching vessels. The stent graft includes multiple branches, allowing precise placement while maintaining proper blood supply to important organs and regions of the body.

Open surgical repair is the traditional, more invasive approach requiring a large incision in the chest or abdomen to directly fix or replace the damaged blood vessel. Here are the open repair procedure types:

• Open Aortic Aneurysm Repair: The surgeon cuts into the chest or abdomen, briefly puts a clamp on the aorta to prevent blood from flowing through the belly, and sews a synthetic polyester or Dacron graft into the weakened part of the aorta. To protect the graft, the aneurysm sac is usually wrapped around the graft.

Both TAAs (Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms) and AAAs (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms) are life-threatening conditions characterised by abnormal dilation of the body's major artery. They differ only in the location since the TAAs appear in the chest above the diaphragm, and AAAs appear below the diaphragm.

Although both aneurysms are quite dangerous and could cause complications if enlarged or ruptured, they differ in many aspects, including symptoms, reasons, and surgical treatment. Here's a quick comparison of the key differences between thoracic aortic aneurysm vs abdominal aortic aneurysm:

• EVAR Procedure (1-3 Days): The EVAR procedure involves punctures made in the groin; hence, patients are expected to be able to sit up and move around in less than 24 hours. Pain is minimal, and patients will be discharged after the imaging reveals that the stent graft is in the right place.
• Open Surgery (5-10 Days): Open repair procedure implies the opening in the chest or abdomen and clamping of the aorta during surgery. During the first 1-2 days after surgery, patients will be under close monitoring in the ICU. Pain control is extremely important, and digestive functions can be restored for several days.

• EVAR Patients: Recovery occurs fast, and most patients have minimal tiredness. They can engage in daily activities early and even drive after 1-2 weeks when they stop taking strong pain medicines.
• Open Surgery Patients: Recovery is slower, and the symptoms include tiredness, soreness and stomach discomfort. Patients should avoid lifting heavy things (usually more than 10 pounds) and might require help with some tasks. Walking is recommended to improve circulation and increase stamina.

• EVAR Patients (Weeks 2-4 and onwards): In the majority of cases, patients are able to return to their regular activities in a few weeks. Light and moderate exercising is allowed, but high-impact activities should only be started after medical clearance.
• Open Surgery Patients (Weeks 6–12): By this stage, pain gradually reduces and strength improves. Many patients are able to resume driving, light work, and daily routines, although full energy levels may still take time to return.

• After about 3 months, most patients treated with open surgery have nearly completed their recovery process and can resume heavy physical activities, provided they obtain permission from their doctors.
• Regular follow-up examinations are necessary for patients who undergo either EVAR or open surgery. Imaging tests, including CT scans and ultrasound tests, are used to confirm that the graft and stent function perfectly with no leaks or occlusions.

Choosing the right insurance coverage is important when dealing with high-cost procedures like aorta graft surgery. Both Critical Illness (CI) plans and Standard Health Insurance work differently in how they provide financial protection. Here is a difference between the two:

• Hospitalisation Expenses: Room rent, Intensive Care Unit (ICU) charges and nursing fee.
• Surgical Procedures: Open repair, endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR), and minimally invasive aorta surgery.
• Medical Costs: Surgeon fees, operation theatre charges, transfusion of blood and anaesthesia.
• Pre and Post Hospitalisation: Diagnostic tests (CT scan, angiogram, MRI) up to 30-60 days before and up to 60-90 days after the hospitalisation.
• Medications: Drugs and consumables used during the hospital stay.
• Critical Illness Lump-sum: A lump-sum payout at diagnosis if the policy includes a Critical Illness rider to help cover lost income and non-medical expenses.

• Initial Waiting Periods: Regular new-policy waiting periods (typically 30-90 days) during which no claim can be made for non-emergency conditions.
• Pre-existing Conditions: If you had an aortic aneurysm before buying the policy, claims are rejected until a 2 to 4-year waiting period is served.
• Non-Medical Expenses: Toiletries, special diets, administrative/admission fees, and some non-medical supplies.
• Lifestyle / Experimental Treatments: Experimental surgeries or elective treatments not recommended by the treating medical practitioner, or any other procedure that is not proven.
• Outpatient (OPD) Costs: Any cost incurred for routine checks, medication or treatment outside of hospital admission unless otherwise specified in the plan.

• In case of Planned Surgery: Notify the Insurance Company/Third Party Administrator (TPA) at least 48 hours before admission into the hospital.
• In case of Emergency: Intimation should be done within 24 hours of hospitalisation in case of emergency to prevent any kind of rejection of the claim.

• Cashless Claim Procedure: This is the easiest mode of claim filing if your chosen hospital is part of the insurer’s network of hospitals. You only need to show your health insurance card and ID proof. The hospital will coordinate directly with the insurer for pre-authorisation and billing approval.
• Reimbursement Claim: If treatment is taken at a non-network hospital or cashless approval is not granted, you will need to pay the bills first. Later, you can apply for reimbursement by submitting all required documents.

Ensure all documents are collected in proper order before discharge from the hospital. These typically include:

• Final hospital bill showing all the expenses incurred
• All the original payment slips for the medical bills
• Discharge slip mentioning the diagnosis and the information about the aorta graft surgery
• Diagnostic reports including CT Scan, Angiography, MRI, 2D Echo, and blood test
• Prescriptions of doctors with prescription bills
• Filled out the claim form, duly signed by you and stamped by the hospital authority

• Get the claim form from the website of the concerned insurer and fill it out properly.
• Attach all relevant medical documents, payment slip and the discharge report.
• Submit the scanned copy of the claim form along with other relevant documents on the insurer’s online website or application, and also send the physical copy of the same to the TPA/Insurance office within the stipulated time frame (generally within 15 days of discharge from the hospital).

After submission of the documents, the Insurance Company verifies the claim as per policy conditions. The claim status can be checked online or through SMS/Email updates.

After the verification, the reimbursement claim amount gets credited to your registered bank account directly.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment recommendation, or professional healthcare guidance. Treatment costs mentioned are indicative and may vary based on factors such as the patient's medical condition, hospital, city, surgeon's expertise, room category, and other treatment-related requirements.

Readers are advised to consult qualified healthcare professionals and obtain cost estimates directly from healthcare providers before making any medical or financial decisions. Axis Max Life Insurance does not provide medical services, endorse any specific healthcare provider.