Request an Appointment

Aortic aneurysm

Print

Overview

An aortic aneurysm is a bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel (aorta) that carries blood from the heart to the body. Aortic aneurysms can occur anywhere in the aorta and may be tube-shaped (fusiform) or round (saccular).

Aortic aneurysms include:

  • Abdominal aortic aneurysm. An abdominal aortic aneurysm occurs along the part of the aorta that passes through the abdomen.
  • Thoracic aortic aneurysm. A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs along the part of the aorta that passes through the chest cavity.

Some people may have both types of aortic aneurysms.

Having an aortic aneurysm increases the risk of developing a tear in the inner layer of the wall of the aorta (aortic dissection).

Aortic Surgery: What Patients Need to Know — Mayo Clinic

Clinical trials

Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Aortic aneurysm care at Mayo Clinic

Request an appointment
Doctors & departments
Aug. 31, 2021
Print
  1. Goldman L, et al., eds. Diseases of the aorta. In: Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Elsevier; 2020. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed June 24, 2021.
  2. What is an aneurysm? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/aneurysm. Accessed June 24, 2021.
  3. Braswell Pickering EA. Allscripts EPSi. Mayo Clinic. July 23, 2021.

Related

Associated Procedures

Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, has been recognized as one of the top Cardiology & Heart Surgery hospitals in the nation for 2022-2023 by U.S. News & World Report.

Learn more about this top honor

Aortic aneurysm

Advertisement

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

Advertising & Sponsorship

Mayo Clinic Press

Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic Press.