![Aorta: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm](/Upload/aorta-thoracic-aortic-aneurysm.jpg)
Aorta: Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
What is an aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection occurs when the
layers of the aorta tear and separate from each other. The presence of an
aortic aneurysm increases your risk of having an aortic dissection, but aortic
dissection can also occur in people with a normal sized aorta.
Aortic dissection can occur
suddenly, causing severe sharp, tearing pain in your chest or upper back. Yet,
like all types of aneurysms, there may be no symptoms of an aortic dissection.
Most commonly associated with high
blood pressure, an aortic dissection forces the layers of the wall of the aorta
apart through increased blood flow. If not treated early, aortic dissection
weakens the aorta and can lead to a thoracic aortic aneurysm by causing the
weakened area of the aorta to bulge like a balloon, stretching the aorta.
If you do experience any symptoms of
a thoracic aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection, notify your physician
immediately. If left untreated, these conditions could lead to a fatal rupture.
Symptoms of aortic dissection
Most common symptom: Severe pain in
the chest (front, back or both).
Less common symptoms: Pain in
abdomen, numbness or weakness in one or both legs, loss of consciousness,
symptoms of a stroke.
If you have these symptoms, call for
emergency help (dial 9-1-1 in most areas).
What causes a thoracic aortic
aneurysm?
Thoracic aortic aneurysms are most
often caused by atherosclerosis, a hardening of the arteries that damages the
artery's walls. While your arteries are normally smooth on the inside, as you
age they can develop atherosclerosis. When atherosclerosis occurs, a sticky
substance called atheromatous plaque builds up in the walls of the arteries.
Over time, excess plaque causes the aorta to stiffen and weaken.Your risk for
atherosclerosis increases if you:
Are a smoker
Have high blood pressure
Have high cholesterol
Are overweight
Have a family history of
cardiovascular or peripheral vascular disease (a narrowing of the blood
vessels)
Certain diseases can also weaken the
layers of the aortic wall and increase the risk of thoracic aortic aneurysms,
including:
Marfan syndrome (a genetic
connective tissue disorder), Loeys–Dietz and other familial connective tissue
disorders
Other non-specific connective tissue
disorders (characterized by a family history of aneurysms)
Presence of a bicuspid aortic valve
Infections
Inflammatory disease
Rarely, trauma, such as a severe
fall or car accident can cause a thoracic aortic aneurysm.
As you age, your risk of developing
a thoracic aortic aneurysm increases. More men than women are diagnosed with
thoracic aortic aneurysms, and are often affected with the condition at a
younger age.
Recent research indicates that a
substantial amount of aneurysms have familial patterns, or are inherited from
previous generations. It is important to tell your physician if there is a
history of aortic aneurysms in your family to ensure that the best preventative
screenings are completed.
What are the symptoms of a thoracic
aortic aneurysm?
Thoracic aortic aneurysms often go
unnoticed because patients rarely feel any symptoms. While only half of those
with thoracic aortic aneurysms complain of symptoms, possible warning signs
include:
Pain in the jaw, neck, and upper
back
Chest or back pain
Coughing, hoarseness, or difficulty
breathing
How is a thoracic aortic aneurysm
diagnosed?
Early diagnosis of a thoracic
aneurysm is critical to managing the condition. The larger the thoracic aortic
aneurysm, or the faster it grows, the more likely it is to rupture. The risk of
rupture increases when the aneurysm is larger than about twice the normal
diameter of a healthy aorta blood vessel.
Diagnosing a thoracic aneurysm is
difficult because often there are no symptoms, and often the condition goes
undiagnosed until a rupture occurs. If a thoracic aortic aneurysm is suspected,
your physician may order the following tests:
Chest x-ray
Computed tomography (CT) scan
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Echocardiography (an ultrasound of
the heart)
Abdominal ultrasound (to look for
associated abdominal aneurysms)
Angiography (an x-ray of the blood
vessels)
Learn more about these diagnostic
tests and procedures