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What Is Aortic Disease?
Doctors describe aortic disease as a group of conditions that cause problems in your aorta, which is the largest artery in your body. Aortic disease can be life-threatening and can cause your aorta to split, which is called a dissection, or bulge out, which is called an aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection may require surgical treatment.
How common is aortic disease?
Aortic disease causes about 10,000 deaths each year in the U.S. Nearly 60 percent of deaths due to aortic disease happen in men.
What are the types of aortic disease?
Types of aortic disease include:
- Aortic aneurysm – An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta that increases the risk of a life-threatening rupture or dissection.
- Aortic coarctation – An aortic coarctation is a narrowing of the aorta that is present at birth and can lead to problems with blood flow.
- Aortic dissection – Aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that happens when you get a tear in the inner layer of your aorta.
- Aortic infection – Aortic infection is a rare condition that is often caused by bacteria and treated with antibiotics or surgery.
- Aortic intramural hematoma (IMH) – IMH happens when blood leaks and flows between the inner and outer walls of the aorta.
- Aortic rupture – Aortic rupture is an often-deadly condition that happens when a tear occurs through nearly all the layers of the aorta.
- Aortitis (inflammatory aortic disease) – Aortitis is a rare condition that occurs when the aorta becomes inflamed due to infection or blood vessel disease.
- Aortobronchial fistula (ABF) – ABF is a rare condition that occurs after aortic surgery. It causes an abnormal connection between the aorta and the airways.
- Aortoenteric fistula – Aortoenteric fistula occurs when an abnormal connection forms between the aorta and the intestinal tract.
- Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) – EDS is a group of genetic disorders that affect the connective tissue, including your blood vessel walls.
- Embolizing (shaggy) aorta – A shaggy aorta happens when your damaged or diseased aorta causes blood clots or other material to block blood vessels in other parts of the body.
- Giant cell arteritis – Giant cell arteritis is an inflammatory condition that causes narrowing or blockage of the aorta and other blood vessels.
- Loeys-Dietz syndrome (LDS) – LDS is a genetic disorder that can cause aortic aneurysms or dissections.
- Marfan syndrome – Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder that can cause life-threatening complications with the aorta.
- Penetrating aortic ulcer – A penetrating aortic ulcer develops on the inside wall of the aorta. If left untreated, penetrating aortic ulcers can cause holes to develop in the aorta.
- Takayasu's arteritis – Takayasu’s arteritis is a rare form of vasculitis that can cause inflammation and damage to the aorta.
What causes aortic disease?
Aortic disease can be caused by a number of factors, including:
- High blood pressure.
- Genetic condition.
- High cholesterol.
- Inflammation in the arteries.
- History of smoking.
What are aortic disease risk factors and complications?
Aortic disease risk factors
Some types of aortic disease, such as Marfan syndrome or EDS, are present at birth. However, you may be at risk of developing aortic disease later in life if you have other health conditions, including:
- High blood pressure.
- Active smoker.
- Family history of aortic disease.
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Complications of aortic disease
Aortic disease can be life-threatening and cause sudden, severe symptoms. However, some types of aortic disease may need close monitoring. In some cases, aortic disease can be diagnosed early and treated with surgery before life-threatening complications develop.
How can I prevent aortic disease?
Preventing heart disease and chronic conditions can reduce the risk that you will develop aortic disease. You may be able to prevent aortic disease by:
- Avoiding smoking
- Eating a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.
- Limiting alcoholic beverages.
- Maintaining normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Aortic Disease?
In some cases, aortic disease may not cause symptoms. However, if you have an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm, symptoms may appear suddenly and be severe.
Aortic dissection and aortic aneurysm may cause symptoms including:
- Abdominal, chest, flank, and back pain.
- Chest tightness.
- Fainting Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath.
When should I see a doctor about my aortic disease symptoms?
If your aortic disease is diagnosed during a test or exam for another condition, you should see a vascular specialist to help you develop a treatment plan.
In some cases, symptoms of aortic disease appear suddenly and are severe. If you have symptoms of aortic disease, visit the nearest hospital emergency room or dial 911.
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How Do You Diagnose Aortic Disease?
Our experts use leading-edge technology and techniques to diagnose and treat aortic disease. Our services include:
- Evaluation and treatment of acute and chronic aortic disease by our vascular surgery experts.
- Ongoing monitoring using diagnostic studies such as arterial dopplers, coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA), and transesophageal echocardiography (TTE).
- Surgical evaluation and pre-operative testing.
- Post-operative care.
What to expect during your visit
During your physical exam, your doctor will:
- Ask about your symptoms and when they started.
- Discuss your medical history.
- Listen to your heart with a stethoscope.
Following your exam, your doctor may order additional tests and procedures to confirm a diagnosis of aortic disease.
Tests to diagnose aortic disease
We offer a full range of tests for aortic disease, including:
- Ultrasound or x-ray.
- Cardiac catheterization – Cardiac catheterization (also known as a coronary angiogram) is a diagnostic procedure that allows your cardiologist to see blockages, blood flow, and other problems within the arteries leading to your heart.
- Transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) – TEE uses echocardiography to check for aneurysm, heart valve problems, or the presence of a tear in the lining of your aorta.
Aortic disease prognosis
Your prognosis with aortic disease depends on what type of aortic disease you have, how severe your condition is, and how early it is diagnosed. Aortic rupture, for example, is a serious, life-threatening condition with a low survival rate. However, other types of aortic disease may be able to be treated before severe symptoms develop — providing a better chance of survival.
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How Do You Treat Aortic Disease?
Treatment options for aortic disease can vary based on the type of aortic disease you have, your symptoms, and when it is diagnosed. Treatment options include:
Medicine to treat aortic disease
Your doctor may prescribe medications that lower blood pressure or treat other underlying conditions to manage your aortic disease.
Surgery for aortic disease
Surgical procedures for aortic disease include:
- Aortic aneurysm open repair – This procedure is performed through a surgical incision and uses a graft to redirect blood flow around the part of the aorta where the aneurysm, or bulge, is located.
- Emergent (emergency) aortic dissection repair – During an emergent aortic dissection repair, your surgeon will remove the largest possible area of dissected aorta, block the entry of blood into your aortic wall, and replace your aorta with a synthetic graft.
- Endovascular thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR/TEVAR) – These procedures are performed through a small incision in your groin using a catheter and a stent graft to prevent the bulge in the aorta from rupturing.
How effective is treatment?
When diagnosed early, treatment for aortic disease may be very effective at preventing life-threatening symptoms from developing. However, after life-threatening symptoms develop, treatment may be more challenging.
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Why Choose UPMC for Aortic Disease Care?
Our vascular specialists provide expert treatment of aortic disease, including complex aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections, using the latest techniques. Our goal is to provide dedicated care to patients with known or incidentally found aortic aneurysms, intramural aortic hematoma, a penetrating aortic ulcer, aortic dissection, and acute/chronic evaluations.
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Last reviewed by a UPMC medical professional on 2024-10-01.
