Thoracic aortic aneurysm – Open surgery repair

A: This drawing shows an aneurysm in the ascending thoracic aorta.
B: This type of aneurysm is repaired with open surgery. To do this, the doctor cuts open your chest to get to your heart. Then he or she replaces the bulging part of the aorta with a tube called a "graft." The graft is sewn into place. Blood can flow normally through it.