Definition of Aortic Aneurysm

The aorta is the garden-hose thick blood vessel that is the main supplier of blood to the body. It leads from your heart to the center of your chest and down into your abdomen. Any weak or bulging area in this blood vessel is called an aortic aneurysm.

Types

• Aortic aneurysms can be broken into two types---abdominal and thoracic. Abdominal aortic aneurysms account for 75 percent of all cases and occur in your abdomen. Thoracic aortic aneurysms represent the other 25 percent, and occur in your chest.

Cause

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms can be caused by tobacco use, high blood pressure and infection. Thoracic aortic aneurysms my develop due to Marfan syndrome, past aortic injury or from a sudden traumatic injury such as a fall or motor vehicle accident.

Symptoms

• Most aortic aneurysms develop slowly, often producing no symptoms. As the aneurysm grows, some symptoms may include a pulsating near the aneurysm, tenderness near the growth or back pain.

Diagnosis

• Most aneurysms are found accidentally, usually during a routine physical exam. Special tests may be performed to detect the condition, including abdominal ultrasound, CT scans and MRIs.

Treatment

• Treatment for aortic aneurysms are designed to prevent the aneurysm from rupturing. A small sized aneurysm will most likely receive no treatment, but will be monitored regularly. Medium to large sized aneurysms will most likely require surgery.