overview
- Thoracic aortic aneurysm
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Open popup dialog
A thoracic aorta aneurysm is a weakened area in the main blood vessel that supplies blood (aorta) to the body. When the aorta is weak, blood pushing against the wall of the vessel can cause it to swell like a balloon (aneurysm). - A thoracic aortic aneurysm is also known as a thoracic aneurysm, and aortic dissection can occur due to an aneurysm. A dissection is a tear in the wall of the aorta that can cause life-threatening bleeding or sudden death. Large, fast-growing aneurysms can also rupture, but small, slow-growing aneurysms can never rupture.
- Depending on the cause, size, and rate of growth of your thoracic aorta aneurysm, treatment may vary from waiting attentively for emergency surgery. Ideally, the operation can be planned if necessary.
symptom
Thoracic aortic aneurysms often develop slowly and usually without symptoms, making them difficult to identify. Some aneurysms never rupture. Many start out small and stay small, although some grow over time. The rate at which an aortic aneurysm can grow is difficult to predict.
While a thoracic aorta aneurysm is developing, some people may notice:
- Tenderness or chest pain
- Back pain
- hoarseness
- to cough
- shortness of breath
The reasons
Factors that can contribute to the development of an aneurysm include:
Hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). As plaque builds up on the walls of your arteries, they become less flexible and the extra pressure can weaken and swell them. High blood pressure and high cholesterol are risk factors for hardening of the arteries. This is more common in the elderly.
Genetic conditions. Aortic aneurysms in younger people often have a genetic cause. People born with Marfan’s syndrome, a genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue in the body, are particularly at risk for the thoracic aorta aneurysm as they may have weakness in the aortic wall.
Marfan syndrome usually causes pronounced physical features, including tall stature, very long arms, a deformed sternum, and eye problems.
Other familial disorders can cause an aortic aneurysm, including Ehlers-Danlos, Loeys-Dietz, and Turner vascular syndromes. The Ehlers-Danlos vascular syndrome weakens your skin, joints and connective tissue and makes your skin easily stretchable.
Other diseases. Inflammatory conditions such as giant cell arteritis and Takayasu arteritis are associated with aneurysms of the thoracic aorta.
Risk factors
Risk factors for a thoracic aorta aneurysm include:
Age. Chest aortic aneurysms are most common in people aged 65 and over.
The use of tobacco. Smoking is a major risk factor for developing an aortic aneurysm.
Arterial hypertension. The rise in blood pressure damages the body’s blood vessels and increases the chance of developing an aneurysm.
Plaque build-up in your arteries. The build-up of fat and other substances that can damage the lining of a blood vessel increases the risk of an aneurysm. This is a more common risk in the elderly.
Family history. People with a family history of aortic aneurysm are at increased risk of developing one. A family history means you may develop aneurysms at a younger age and are at greater risk of breaking them. It is a major risk factor in young people.
Marfan’s syndrome and related diseases. If you have Marfan’s syndrome or a related condition like Loeys-Dietz syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos vascular syndrome, there is a significantly higher risk of aneurysm and thoracic aorta dissection or rupture or other blood vessel.
Bicuspid aortic valve. Almost half of those who have an aortic valve with two instead of three cusps can develop an aortic aneurysm.