Aortic Aneurysm

Types

Mayo Clinic doctors trained in blood vessel conditions, blood vessel surgery (vascular surgeons), heart surgery (cardiovascular surgeons), heart conditions (cardiovascular specialists), and others treat all types of aortic aneurysms and other vascular diseases. Aortic aneurysms may be tube-shaped (fusiform) or round (saccular).

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs along the part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen.
• Dissecting aneurysm. A dissecting aneurysm, or aortic dissection, occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the wall of the aorta. This causes the layers of the wall of the aorta to separate, which weakens the wall of the aorta.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm. A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs along the part of the aorta that passes through the chest cavity.

Read more about abdominal aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and thoracic aortic aneurysm.