Aortic Conditions Overview
About the Aorta
The aorta is the largest artery that supply’s oxygenated blood to
the rest of the body. It is shaped like a candy cane and originates beyond
the aortic valve (aortic root), supplying oxygenated blood to the heart
through the coronary arteries. Traveling up, the aorta arches (the ascending
aorta) and supplies oxygenated blood through the aortic arch branches
(i.e, innominate artery, provides branches to the right carotid and right
subclavian arteries, left carotid and left subclavian arteries) to the
head. The aorta then descends (descending aorta) down the body providing
oxygenated blood to the thoracic arteries and continues through the hiatus
of the diaphragm. After the diaphragm it becomes the abdominal aorta travels
into the common iliac arteries. The thoracic aorta is above the diaphragm
and the abdominal aorta is below the diaphragm.
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
An aneurysm is a weakening in the wall of an artery, which causes it to
“balloon” or expand in size. The thoracic aorta is made of
the aortic root, the ascending aorta, the aortic arch and the descending
aorta. The aorta that is below the diaphragm and moves down through the
abdomen is called the abdominal aorta. Although an aneurysm can develop
anywhere along your aorta, most occur in the section running through your
abdomen (abdominal aneurysms).
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aortic
aneurysms were reported as the primary cause of 9,863 deaths in the US
in 2014, but the actual number is likely much higher.
Aneurysms are often found incidentally during evaluation of other problems.
Since they commonly cause no pain or discomfort, aneurysms can silently
enlarge for long periods of time without being identified. When the aneurysm
gets too large, it can cause pressure on a neighboring organ, or the wall
of the blood vessel can split or tear (aortic dissection/dissecting aortic
aneurysm) or even “burst” under pressure (aortic rupture/ruptured
aortic aneurysm).
Thoracic Ectasia
Ectasia is defined as an enlargement or dilation of the aorta. It is not
considered an aneurysm until the diameter is two times greater than your
normal aortic size.
Aortic Dissection
The aorta is made up of three layers: the intima, the media, and the adventitia.
An aortic dissection is a tear that begins in the inner (intimal) layer
of the artery wall. Blood is forced through this opening, and bleeds into
itself through the middle layer, extending this tear and leading to a
separation of the layers of the aorta. An aneurysm may grow and eventually
lead to dissection or rupture if not diagnosed or treated. Aortic dissections
are known as the silent killer as most people don’t have symptoms
until they experience an aortic emergency.
Stanford Type A Dissection
All dissections involving the ascending aorta regardless of the site of
orgin. Surgery is the treatment of choice for dissections of the ascending
aorta. Type A dissections are a surgical emergency because of risk of
aortic regurgitation, cardiac tamponade, and
myocardial infarction.
Stanford Type B Dissection
All dissections involving the descending aorta. Medical therapy is usually
the treatment of choice for an uncomplicated type B dissection. Type B
dissections are considered chronic when they are 2 weeks from onset. Acute
type B dissections can be complicated by the following retrograde extension
in the ascending aorta, progression with compromise of the vital organs,
rupture or impending rupture. This can sometimes be treated with thoracic
endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR).
Contact Us
The Elaine & Robert Matranga Aortic Center provides every therapeutic
advantage, from a highly skilled team, to advanced treatment approaches
and state of the art facilities. Call us for a consultation or a second
opinion at
855-735-5677 or
email. For patients who live a long distance from Hoag, we are also available
for virtual telehealth visits.