The part of your aorta that goes through your chest is called the thoracic aorta. When a weak area of your thoracic aorta expands or bulges, it is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA). Approximately 25 percent of aortic aneurysms occur in the chest.
Use the links below to learn more about the causes, risk factors, symptoms and more related to thoracic aortic aneurysm.
In rare cases, trauma, such as a fall or rapid deceleration in a motor vehicle accident, may cause TAA.
- Age
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Gender (men are more susceptible than women)
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Smoking
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High blood pressure
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High cholesterol
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Obesity
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A family history of heart disease
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Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome
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Previous dissection of the aorta
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Syphilis
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Tuberculosis
What are the symptoms of TAA? You may not feel any symptoms with TAA. Only half of patients with TAA notice symptoms. It may be found when tests (such as an X-ray, MRI or CT scan) are done for an unrelated problem.
If you do experience symptoms, they will depend on the location of your aneurysm and how large it is. Possible symptoms include:
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Pain in the jaw, neck and upper back
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Chest or back pain
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Coughing, hoarseness or difficulty breathing
How is TAA diagnosed? Most thoracic aortic aneurysms are detected by tests that are run for unrelated reasons. A chest CT scan can show the size of the aorta and the exact location of the aneurysm.
An aortogram is a special set of X-ray images made when dye is injected into the aorta. It can identify the aneurysm and any branches of the aorta that may be involved.
Your physician will order one or more of the following tests to diagnose TAA:
Your doctor will weigh the chances that the aneurysm will burst against the risks of surgery. Because a small aneurysm is not likely to burst, it may be monitored for a while. When it reaches a certain size, you may have surgery to replace that section of your aorta.
