Procedure prep
Fasting Before AAA Repair (Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm)
An AAA repair fixes a weakened, bulging section of the body's main artery to stop it bursting. It's done either as open surgery or as a keyhole stent procedure (EVAR), and the preparation and recovery differ between the two.
Fasting for this procedure
→ Get your exact fasting times with the calculator
Medicines to check
- Aspirin or another antiplatelet is often continued for blood-vessel protection — confirm with your team. See medications to stop.
- Other blood thinners (warfarin, DOACs) — stopped or adjusted on a planned schedule.
- Statins and blood-pressure medicines are usually continued, and good blood-pressure control is important — confirm each.
- Diabetes medicines & insulin need a careful plan. See diabetes tablets.
When this surgery may be delayed
- Very high or poorly controlled blood pressure
- Fever or any active infection, including chest or dental infections
- An unstable heart or breathing problem to optimise first
- Significant kidney concerns (the keyhole dye needs care)
- You ate or drank outside the instructions you were given
Reports & documents to carry
- Photo ID and your insurance or hospital paperwork
- A current list of all your medicines, doses, and allergies
- Your CT scan and aneurysm measurements, and recent blood tests
- Details of any heart or lung conditions and tests
- A packed bag for a longer stay (open repair often includes intensive care)
What to ask your anesthesia team
- Will I have open surgery or keyhole EVAR, and why?
- Which of my blood thinners do I continue or stop, and when?
- Will I go to intensive care, and how long is the hospital stay?
- How will my blood pressure and kidneys be looked after?
- What does recovery at home look like, and when can I drive?
Your prep checklist
Tick things off as you sort them — saved on this device only, nothing is sent anywhere.
A general guide — your hospital's own instructions always come first.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between open AAA repair and EVAR?
Open repair replaces the weakened artery through a cut in the abdomen and is a bigger operation with a longer recovery, often including intensive care. EVAR is keyhole — a stent-graft is guided up from the groin to line the artery from inside — usually with a shorter stay but lifelong scan follow-ups. Your surgeon recommends the best fit for your anatomy and health.
Will I keep taking my blood thinners before AAA surgery?
Aspirin or a similar antiplatelet is often continued because it protects your heart and blood vessels, while stronger anticoagulants like warfarin are stopped or adjusted on a plan. Your vascular team gives precise instructions for each medicine — follow them exactly rather than deciding yourself.
Will I need intensive care after AAA repair?
After open repair, a stay in intensive care or a high-dependency unit is usual so your heart, blood pressure, kidneys and breathing can be watched closely. Keyhole EVAR often doesn't need this and has a shorter recovery. Your team will tell you what to expect for your operation.