Aortic Aneurysm

Overview

Mayo Clinic physicians and surgeons are internationally recognized experts in the treatment of aortic aneurysms. Specialists from Mayo's vascular, endovascular and cardiac surgery divisions repair more than 600 aortic aneurysms each year at state-of-the-art vascular centers.

Patients with aortic aneurysms receive the most appropriate treatment in a compassionate environment at Mayo Clinic's vascular centers. Highly trained and experienced specialists work with superb technology to provide exceptional treatment for patients with aortic aneurysms.

In Mayo Clinic's unique multispecialty practice, physicians from vascular medicine, vascular and cardiac surgery, and diagnostic and interventional radiology work with other medical specialists to plan each patient's care. Testing and treatment can usually be completed in days, not months, in Mayo's efficient system.

Surgeons and interventional radiologists at Mayo Clinic helped develop minimally invasive endovascular surgery techniques that shorten recovery time and hospital stays for patients. Endovascular surgery offers a viable treatment option for patients with aortic aneurysms who also have chronic illnesses and are at risk for surgical complications.

Diagnosis

Aortic aneurysms may be detected during a physical examination or on chest X-rays and ultrasounds. Mayo Clinic specialists also use sophisticated technology such as computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose aortic aneurysms. Learn about aortic aneurysm diagnosis.

Treatment Options

If an aortic aneurysm is small and there are no symptoms, Mayo doctors often suggest a watch-and-wait approach. If an aneurysm is large or appears to be growing rapidly or leaking, surgery may be recommended. Learn about aortic aneurysm treatment.

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Normal aorta

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About Aortic Aneurysm

An aortic aneurysm is an abnormal bulge in the wall of the aorta, the body's largest arterial trunk, which carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries through the body. The aneurysm is caused by disease in the aortic wall.

The aorta extends from the heart down through the chest and abdominal region, where it divides into blood vessels that supply each leg. Smaller arteries branch off to supply blood to the vital organs.

Aneurysms can develop anywhere in the aorta, but most occur in the abdominal area. Mayo Clinic specialists are especially adept at treating challenging aortic aneurysms — such as those that involve the aortic root (where the aorta emerges from the heart), the aortic arch, or both the chest and abdomen — successfully.

Learn about the types of aortic aneurysms.

Aortic aneurysms may be caused by:

• Aging, especially among people who smoke or have high blood pressure
• Inherited conditions that weaken the aorta, such as Marfan syndrome or familial (affecting more than one member of a family) aortic aneurysm disease
• Trauma (aortic dissection caused by a splitting of the wall of the aorta)

Read more about aortic aneurysms at MayoClinic.com.