Patient Care — Arch aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms

Patient appointments & physician referrals: please call 210-450-0999.

thoracic aortic aneurysm
An aortic aneurysm is a general term for any swelling (dilation or aneurysm) of
the aorta, usually representing an underlying weakness in the wall of the aorta
at that location. While the stretched vessel may occasionally cause discomfort,
a greater concern is the risk of rupture, which causes severe pain; massive
internal hemorrhage; and, without prompt treatment, results in a quick death.

Aortic aneurysms are classified by where on the aorta they occur; aneurysms can
appear anywhere.

An aortic root aneurysm, or aneurysm of sinus of Valsalva, appears on the
sinuses of Valsalva or aortic root.
Thoracic aortic aneurysms are found on the thoracic aorta; these are further
classified as ascending, aortic arch, or descending aneurysms depending on the
location on the thoracic aorta involved.
Abdominal aortic aneurysms, the most common form of aortic aneurysm, are
found on the abdominal aorta, and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms involve both
the thoracic and abdominal aorta. There are other classifications that might
help treatment.

Image (right) of thoracic aortic aneurysm is a non-copyrightable reproduction of a lithograph plate from Gray’s Anatomy.

Ed Sako, MD, PhD
John Calhoon, MD
Seenu Reddy, MD, MBA