Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Questions & Answers

Updated: Mar 13, 2023
  • Author: Elaine Tseng, MD; Chief Editor: Mary C Mancini, MD, PhD, MMM  more...
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Questions & Answers

Overview

What is thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the types of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the treatment options for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the anatomy of a blood vessel relative to thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What anatomy is involved in a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the pathophysiology of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA)?

What is the role of hemodynamic factors in the pathophysiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of aneurysmal degeneration in the etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of genetics in the etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of Marfan syndrome in the etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of type IV Ehlers-Danlos syndrome in the etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role atherosclerosis of in the etiology of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What causes traumatic dissection in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

Which factors increase the risk for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the incidence and prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysm?

What are the mortality rates for ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) following surgical repair?

What are the mortality rates for arch thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) following surgical repair?

What are the mortality rates for descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) following surgical repair?

What are the survival rates after surgery for chronic thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How do treatment outcomes compare among surgical options for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

Presentation

How are thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) and abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs) diagnosed?

What are the most common complications of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)?

What are the signs and symptoms of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs)?

What are the signs and symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the most common complication of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

Workup

Which lab studies are performed in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of chest radiography in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of ultrasonography in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of aortography in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of CT in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is the role of MRI in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA)?

Which tests may be indicated in the workup of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

Which histologic findings are characteristic of thoracic aortic aneurysm (AAA)?

Treatment

What are the criteria for elective surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

When are thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) at increased risk for rupture?

How is symptomatic thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) surgically treated?

When does acute aortic dissection in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) require emergency surgery?

What are the guidelines for surgery in thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the contraindications for surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the alternatives to open surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How are complications managed following surgical repair for thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA)?

What is the role of medical therapy in the treatment of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How is Dacron tube graft used in the repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are the surgical options for the treatment of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are surgical options for the treatment of arch thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are surgical options for the treatment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are surgical options for the treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA)?

What is included in preoperative assessment of ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is included in preoperative assessment of arch thoracic aortic aneurysm?

What is included in preoperative assessment of descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA)?

What are methods of brain protection during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is included in general monitoring during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How is ascending aortic replacement accomplished during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How is valve-sparing aortic root replacement accomplished during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How is aortic root replacement accomplished during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How is distal anastomosis achieved during surgical repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How are arch aortic thoracic aneurysms (TAA) surgically repaired?

How are descending thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) surgically repaired?

How is the Ross procedure (pulmonary autograft) performed for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is included in postoperative care for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What are potential complications of surgery for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

What is included in long-term monitoring following repair of thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA)?

How do the treatment outcomes for thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) vary by sex?