Thoracic Aortic AneurysmSymptoms, Doctors, Treatments, Advances & More
Learn About Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm
An aneurysm is an abnormal widening or ballooning of a portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel.
A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the body's largest artery (the aorta) that passes through the chest.
Aortic aneurysm - thoracic; Syphilitic aneurysm; Aneurysm - thoracic aortic
The most common cause of a thoracic aortic aneurysm is hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition is more common in people with high cholesterol, long-term high blood pressure, or who smoke.
Other risk factors for a thoracic aneurysm include:
- Changes caused by age
- Connective tissue diseases such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Inflammation of the aorta
- Injury from falls or motor vehicle accidents
- Syphilis
Aneurysms develop slowly over many years. Most people have no symptoms until the aneurysm begins to leak or expand.
Symptoms often begin suddenly when:
- The aneurysm grows quickly.
- The aneurysm tears open (called a rupture).
- Blood leaks along the wall of the aorta (aortic dissection).
If the aneurysm presses on nearby structures, the following symptoms may occur:
- Hoarseness
- Swallowing problems
- High-pitched breathing (stridor)
- Swelling in the neck
Other symptoms may include:
- Chest or upper back pain
- Clammy skin
- Nausea and vomiting
- Rapid heart rate
- Sense of impending doom
There is a risk that the aneurysm may break open (rupture) if you do not have surgery to repair it.
The treatment depends on the location of the aneurysm. The aorta is made of three parts:
- The first part moves upward toward the head. It is called the ascending aorta.
- The middle part is curved. It is called the aortic arch.
- The last part moves downward, toward the feet. It is called the descending aorta.
For people with aneurysms of the ascending aorta or aortic arch:
- Surgery to replace the aorta is recommended if an aneurysm is larger than 5 to 6 centimeters (approximately 2 inches).
- A cut is made in the middle of the breast bone (sternum).
- The aorta is replaced with a plastic or fabric graft.
- This is major surgery that requires a heart-lung machine.
For people with aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta:
- Major surgery is done to replace the aorta with a fabric graft if the aneurysm is larger than 6 centimeters (2.3 inches).
- This surgery is done through a cut on the left side of the chest, which may reach to the abdomen.
- Endovascular stenting is a less invasive option. A stent is a tiny metal or plastic tube that is used to hold an artery open. Stents can be placed into the body without cutting the chest. However, not all people with descending thoracic aneurysms are candidates for stenting.
Baylor College Of Medicine - Cardiothoracic Surgery
Joseph Coselli is a Thoracic Surgeon practicing medicine in Houston, Texas. Dr. Coselli is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. He is also highly rated in 17 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Marfan Syndrome, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG), and Aortic Valve Replacement. Dr. Coselli is currently accepting new patients.
LVPG Vascular Surgery-1230 Cedar Crest
Benjamin Jackson is a Vascular Surgeon and a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Dr. Jackson is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. He is also highly rated in 15 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA), Carotid Artery Disease, Aneurysm Repair, and Carotid Artery Surgery. Dr. Jackson is board certified in American Board Of Surgery - Surgery (General Surgery) and American Board Of Surgery - Vascular Surgery . Dr. Jackson is currently accepting new patients.
ColumbiaDoctors - Glenpointe
Hiroo Takayama is a Thoracic Surgeon and a General Surgeon practicing medicine in Teaneck, New Jersey. Dr. Takayama is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm. He is also highly rated in 29 other conditions, according to our data. His clinical expertise encompasses Cardiogenic Shock, Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm, Aortic Dissection, Heart Transplant, and Lung Transplant. Dr. Takayama is board certified in Surgery, Cardiac Surgery, and Thoracic And Cardiac Surgery. Dr. Takayama is currently accepting new patients.
The long-term outlook for people with thoracic aortic aneurysm depends on other medical problems, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes. These problems may have caused or contributed to the condition.
Serious complications after aortic surgery can include:
- Bleeding
- Graft infection
- Heart attack
- Irregular heartbeat
- Kidney damage
- Paralysis
- Stroke
Death soon after the operation occurs in 5% to 10% of people.
Possible complications after aneurysm stenting include damage to the blood vessels supplying the leg, which may require another operation.
Contact your health care provider if you have:
- A family history of connective tissue disorders (such as Marfan or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome)
- Chest or back discomfort
To prevent atherosclerosis:
- Control your blood pressure and blood lipid levels.
- DO NOT smoke.
- Eat a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
Summary: Aortic arch repair surgery is a technically complex and challenging procedure to treat aortic pathologies. Despite advancements in perioperative care, detrimental neurological complications occur during or after surgery. The neurological complications increase the economic burden of healthcare, morbidity and quality of life for the patients, even if they survive. Stroke, for example, leads to an i...
Summary: Giant Cell Arteritis (GCA) is a vasculitis of medium- and large-sized arteries in older adults that may lead to serious vascular complications, including permanent vision loss and aortic aneurysm formation. Glucocorticoids are effective, but relapse during tapering is common and poses a major clinical challenge, potentially contributing to prolonged glucocorticoid exposure. Symptoms are often nons...
Published Date: June 01, 2026
Published By: Thomas S. Metkus, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Medicine and Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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Beckman JA. Diseases of the aorta. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 63.
Braverman AC, Schermerhorn M. Diseases of the aorta. In: Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, et al, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 13th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2026:chap 39.
Singh MJ, Makaroun MS. Thoracic aortic aneurysms: endovascular treatment. In: Sidawy AN, Perler BA, eds. Rutherford's Vascular Surgery and Endovascular Therapy. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 80.