Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Overview

Specialists in Mayo Clinic's state-of-the-art vascular centers repair more than 600 aortic aneurysms each year. Mayo Clinic physicians and surgeons are internationally recognized experts in the treatment of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Normal aorta

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The aorta carries blood from the heart to be distributed by branch arteries throughout the body.

• Aortic aneurysms are abnormal bulges in the wall of the aorta, the body's largest arterial trunk.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysms occur in the chest area and may involve the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch or descending aorta.
• Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms involve both the chest area and the abdominal aorta.

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

Patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms receive world-class treatment in a compassionate environment at Mayo Clinic's vascular centers, where highly trained and experienced specialists work with innovative technology to provide exceptional care for patients.

Endovascular surgical options include the use of branched stent grafts that incorporate the arteries with organs frequently affected with thoracoabdominal aneurysms, such as the liver, intestine and kidneys.

Diagnosis

In Mayo Clinic's unique multispecialty practice, physicians from vascular medicine, vascular 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.

Because patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms seldom experience symptoms, thoracic and thoracoabdominal 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 thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Read more about diagnosis of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Treatment Options

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

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.

Read more about treatment options for thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms at Mayo Clinic.

• Treatment in Arizona
• Treatment in Florida
• Treatment in Minnesota
• Treatment of Children & Adolescents

About Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Thoracic aortic aneurysms account for 25 percent of aortic aneurysms. Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms are less common. Nearly 75 percent of aortic aneurysms develop in the abdominal area.

Learn more about types of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.

Thoracic and thoracoabdominal aneurysms may be caused by atherosclerosis (plaque buildup or hardening of the arteries) that damages the aortic wall. Other causes may include:

• 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) thoracic aortic aneurysm disease
• Aortic dissection, a progressive tear that splits in the inner lining of the aorta

Although most thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms show no symptoms at diagnosis, they are likely to rupture when they reach a certain size. The most common complication for patients with thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms is a life-threatening rupture with severe bleeding.

Learn more about aortic aneurysm at www.MayoClinic.com.