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Thoracic aortic aneurysm - Overview

Alternative Names

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

Definition of Thoracic aortic aneurysm:

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

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 aneurysm is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis).

Other risk factors include:

Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome
Having high blood pressure for a long time
Previous dissection of the aorta
Syphilis
Trauma such as falls or motor vehicle accidents

Heart, section through the middle

Aortic rupture, chest X-ray

Reviewed last on: 5/15/2008
Robert A. Cowles, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Safi HJ, Estrera AL, Miller III CC, Azizzadeh A, Porat EE. Thoracic Vasculature with Emphasis on the Thoracic Aorta. In: Townsend JR CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Townsend: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:chap 63.

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