Aortic Diseases

Aortic Aneurysms
Aortic aneurysms are an abnormal dilation of a segment of the aorta, causing weakness in the segment. Weak areas will rupture at a certain size, causing fatal bleeding. Aortic aneurysms can occur in the chest portion of the aorta known as Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA), and/or in the abdominal portion of the aorta known as Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm (TAAA) or Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA).

Aortoiliac Occulsive Disease
Aortoiliac occlusive disease is an atherosclerotic occlusive disease involving the abdominal aorta and/or both of the iliac arteries. Typical symptoms consist of:
1. Pain (claudications) of the buttocks, thighs and/or calf muscles while walking
2. Absent or decreased pulse
3. Nonhealing or slowly healing leg or foot wounds
4. Impotence in male patients

Aortic Dissection
An aortic dissection is a serious condition in which a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the large blood vessel branching off the heart. Blood surges through this tear into the middle layer of the aorta, causing the inner and middle layers to separate (dissect). If the blood filled channel ruptures through the outside aortic wall, aortic dissection is often fatal. A common symptom of an aortic dissection is a “stabbing” pain in the back and is often found in people with high blood pressure. In some cases, people experience pain in the chest, which may be confused with angina.

Traumatic Aortic Injury
Traumatic aortic injury is a partial or complete tear in the wall of the aorta caused by a sudden injury to the chest, possibly from a car accident or fall. The aorta is the body´s largest artery, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If not treated quickly, a traumatic aortic injury can quickly cause death.