Aortic Aneurysm

Summary

An aneurysm is a bulge or “ballooning” in the wall of an artery. Arteries are blood vessels that carry oxygen-rich blood from the heart to other parts of the body. If an aneurysm grows large, it can burst and cause dangerous bleeding or even death.

Most aneurysms are in the aorta, the main artery that runs from the heart through the chest and abdomen.

There are two types of aortic aneurysm:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) – these occur in the part of the aorta running through the chest
• Abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) – these occur in the part of the aorta running through the abdomen

Most aneurysms are found during tests done for other reasons. Some people are at high risk for aneurysms. It is important for them to get screening, because aneurysms can develop and become large before causing any symptoms. Screening is recommended for people between the ages of 65 and 75 if they have a family history, or if they are men who have smoked. Doctors use imaging tests to find aneurysms. Medicines and surgery are the two main treatments.

NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Patient Handouts

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm Medical Encyclopedia
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair – open Medical Encyclopedia
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm repair – open – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Aortic aneurysm repair – endovascular Medical Encyclopedia
• Aortic aneurysm repair – endovascular- discharge Medical Encyclopedia
• Aortic dissection Medical Encyclopedia
• Thoracic aortic aneurysm Medical Encyclopedia

Specifics

• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Radiological Society of North America
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) American Academy of Family Physicians
• Aortic Dissection Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
• Talk to Your Doctor about Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Encyclopedia

• Abdominal CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
• Abdominal ultrasound Medical Encyclopedia
• Chest MRI Medical Encyclopedia
• Magnetic resonance angiography Medical Encyclopedia

Diagnosis and Tests

• Abdominal Ultrasound Radiological Society of North America
• Heart Health Tests: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
• Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
• Tests for Lung Disease National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Treatments and Therapies

• Aneurysm Repair Texas Heart Institute

Statistics and Research

• Aortic Aneurysm Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Clinical Trials

• ClinicalTrials.gov: Aneurysm, Dissecting National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Aortic Aneurysm National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal National Institutes of Health
• ClinicalTrials.gov: Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic National Institutes of Health

Genetics

• Familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome: MedlinePlus Genetics National Library of Medicine

Reference Desk

• Glossary Vascular Cures

Find an Expert

• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Journal Articles

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm

Related Issues

• What Causes a Pseudoaneurysm? Should a Pseudoaneurysm Always be Treated? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research

Start Here

• What Is Aortic Aneurysm? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute