Thoracic Aorta Aneurysm

Excerpt

The thoracic aorta consists of the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending aorta. An aneurysm occurs when the typical diameter of the artery increases by 50%. It occurs due to the intrinsic weakness of the aortic wall. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) rarely manifest with symptoms, and about 95% of the patients are asymptomatic. These aneurysms can lead to catastrophic complications, including aortic dissection or rupture, and are hence termed “silent killers.” About 22% of individuals die before reaching the hospital during an aneurysm complication. Most aneurysms in the thoracic aorta occur in the root or ascending aorta, followed by descending aorta and infrequently occur in the arch.