Patients who undergo endovascular repair should be followed by the endovascular specialist at three, six, 12 months and thereafter annually to monitor placement of the stent. Follow-up exams will consist of routine X-rays, CT scans and a physical exam. Exams may also include blood tests.

Less than 10 percent of patients will experience an endoleak that would require additional endovascular repair. An endoleak occurs when blood from the aorta continues to leak into the thoracic aneurysm. If needed, an additional stent can be placed over the original stent.

Patients who undergo open repair have no need for follow-up surgical care. However, given the history of aortic aneurysm, they have a significant chance of developing aneurysms in other portions of body, and may choose to be followed up with an aortic specialist annually.