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Thoracic aortic aneurysm

• Overview
• Symptoms
• Treatment
• Prevention

Definition:

A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a widening (bulging) of part of the wall of the aorta, the body's largest artery.

Alternative Names:

Aortic aneurysm - thoracic; Syphilitic aneurysm; Aneurysm - thoracic aortic

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Thoracic aneurysms most often occur in the descending thoracic aorta. Others may appear in the ascending aorta or the aortic arch.

The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysms is hardening of the arteries ( atherosclerosis ).

Other risk factors include various connective tissue disorders such as Marfan's syndrome , atherosclerosis, previous dissection of the aorta, having high blood pressure for a long time, trauma such as falls or motor vehicle accidents, and syphilis .

• Review Date: 7/5/2006
• Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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