Our program received a score of “high performing” (the highest possible) for abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from U.S. News & World Report. This score is based, in part, on:

• High volume of procedures: Higher volumes are important because more experience leads to better results. We have excellent outcomes for complex cases.
• Outstanding patient experience: Our patients consistently give us excellent ratings for the quality of care we provide. We put patients at the center of our work.
• More nursing staff: We have more nurses per patient to ensure patient safety and provide better patient care. Our team also includes special nurses who help coordinate your care while you’re a patient at the Frankel Cardiovascular Center.

An aneurysm can occur anywhere along the aorta:

• Aortic root: This is where the aorta begins. It meets the heart at the left ventricle, which is the main pumping chamber of the heart.
• Ascending aorta: This is the short section that ascends toward the head.
• Aortic arch: The arch is a 180-degree curve. Here, blood vessels branch off to the head and arms.
• Descending aorta: The descending aorta travels the length of the torso. Along the way, branching blood vessels feed fresh blood to the body.

Aortic aneurysms are classified by their location:

• Abdominal aortic aneurysms occur in the part of the descending aorta that is located in the abdomen.
• Thoracic aortic aneurysms occur in the chest and can involve the root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the upper part of the descending aorta.
• Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms may occur in the chest and abdomen.

To schedule an evaluation with a Frankel Cardiovascular Center physician, call 888-287-1082 or visit the Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page.

Physicians: To refer a patient, call M-Line at 800-962-3555.

Symptoms of a thoracic aneurysm may include:

• Chest, neck, jaw, or upper back pain
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Hoarseness or coughing

Symptoms of an abdominal aneurysm may include persistent pain in the abdomen, back or groin. With both types of aneurysms, people often do not experience any symptoms until a rupture occurs. Then, a sudden, severe pain occurs near the location of the rupture.

To diagnose an aortic aneurysm, your doctor will first review your medical and family history and conduct a routine physical exam. Your doctor may then order one or more cardiovascular diagnostic tests:

• CT scan: This special type of X-ray provides cross-sectional images of your aorta.
• Echocardiogram: This is a specialized ultrasound that captures real-time images of your heart and thoracic aorta. In some cases, a small ultrasound probe may be guided down your esophagus. This is called a transesophageal echocardiogram and allows your doctor to see the thoracic aorta more clearly.
• MRI: This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed pictures of your aorta. In some cases, the MRI technician may inject dye into a vein before the MRI to make your blood vessels more visible.
• Ultrasound: This test uses sound waves to create a picture of your aorta. It is used to diagnose abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Screening for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

• Older men have a higher frequency of abdominal aortic aneurysm and are at higher risk of a dangerous rupture.
• To help identify these men and treat them proactively, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force has issued screening recommendations. All men aged 65 to 75 with a history of smoking should be screened for abdominal aortic aneurysms using an ultrasound test. Talk to your primary care provider about whether you should be screened.

Our specialists work with you to develop a customized treatment plan. The goal of the plan is to prevent a rupture and, if possible, slow the growth of the aneurysm.

A small aortic aneurysm may only need medication and monitoring. Others may require surgery. Our Comprehensive Aortic Program is one of the best in the nation for aortic repair. We offer a range of procedures, including minimally invasive, traditional surgical and hybrid:

University of Michigan Health is known worldwide for cardiovascular research. Our faculty leads numerous research projects related to aortic disease. Their work furthers our understanding of the causes of aortic aneurysms and identifies new treatments for blood vessel repair.