Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm

  • Overview
  • Appointments
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Locations
  • Doctors
  • Research

    • What is a thoracic aortic aneurysm?

    A thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an enlargement in the upper part of the aorta, the major blood vessel that routes blood to the body. Thoracic aortic aneurysms can cause aortic dissection (splitting of the aortic wall) and aortic rupture, leading to life-threatening internal bleeding. There are two types of thoracic aortic aneurysm, an ascending thoracic aneurysm and a descending aortic aneurysm.

    Appointment Information

    To schedule an appointment to discuss an aortic aneurysm or any other cardiovascular condition, call us at 888-287-1082 or visit our Make a Cardiovascular Appointment page, where you may view other information about scheduling a cardiovascular appointment.

    Comprehensive Aortic Program

    The Comprehensive Aortic Program at the U-M Frankel Cardiovascular Center is the most experienced in the state, and one of the largest in the country. Our documented outcomes include some of the lowest mortality rates for even the most complex thoracic aortic reconstructions.

    Learn about the program

    What are the symptoms of thoracic aortic aneurysm?

    Thoracic aortic aneurysms, even those that are large, frequently do not cause symptoms. Some individuals, however, may experience symptoms such as:

    • Pain in the chest area
    • Back pain
    • Coughing or hoarseness
    • Shortness of breath/difficulty breathing

    An aneurysm can appear anywhere in the aorta, including:

    • Aortic root, the area where the aorta exits the heart and includes the openings to the coronary arteries
    • Ascending aorta, which emerges from the top of the aortic root
    • Aortic arch, the part of the aorta that arches and turns downward before it becomes the descending aorta
    • Descending aorta, which branches into the thoracic and abdominal aorta. A descending aortic aneurysm that extends to the abdomen is a thoracoabdominal aneurysm.
    • Abdominal aorta, which is located below the diaphragm

    How is thoracic aortic aneurysm diagnosed?

    Often, a thoracic aneurysm is not diagnosed until a rupture occurs. If your healthcare provider believes you may have a thoracic aortic aneurysm, the following tests may be given:

    • Chest X-ray
    • Computed tomography (CT) scan
    • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
    • Echocardiography (ultrasound of the heart)
    • Abdominal ultrasound
    • Angiography (X-ray of the blood vessels)

    How is thoracic aortic aneurysm treated?

    Treatment options for ascending, arch, descending and root aortic aneurysms may include:

    • Regular screenings to monitor the size and growth of the aneurysm to determine if treatment — including surgery — is necessary
    • Surgery, including both open and endovascular options
    • Lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation, controlling diabetes and a low-fat diet to reduce cholesterol levels. These changes may help keep the aneurysm from growing.
    • Medication to help reduce high blood pressure and cholesterol levels

    Thoracic aortic aneurysms sometimes require complex open-heart surgery, including the use of hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA), a technique that uses very cold body temperatures to temporarily stop blood flow to the area of the aorta being operated on. A valve replacement may be necessary, depending on the location and extent of the rupture. Surgery may involve replacing the weakened area of the aorta with a graft or artificial material. 

    A valve-sparing aortic root replacement may also be an option for root aneurysm patients with a normal aortic valve. This procedure replaces the aortic root while preserving the patient’s aortic valve.

    For many patients with descending thoracic aortic aneurysms, an endovascular treatment known as thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) is an alternative to conventional open-heart surgery. This minimally invasive endovascular option for some patients who are not optimal candidates for traditional open repair can shorten hospital stays and reduce recovery periods.

    For high-risk patients with arch aneurysms, we offer a less invasive debranching option that bypasses arch vessels and eliminates the need for hypothermic circulatory arrest.

    Similarly, patients with thoracoabdominal aneurysms (aneurysms that coexist in both the chest and the abdomen) may also be candidates for the debranching option, which eliminates the need for a large thoracoabdominal incision.

    We are also one of a few centers that offers descending thoracic aortic repair and maintain very favorable outcomes despite the complexity of the procedure. The University of Michigan Frankel Cardiovascular Center is an early pioneer in TEVAR. We have extensive experience successfully treating high-risk patients. 

    Locations
    • Cardiac Surgery Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions
    • Cardiology Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception C
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions
    • Vascular Surgery Clinic | Frankel Cardiovascular Center 1425 E Ann St
      Floor 3 Reception B
      Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5856       Get Directions

    Doctors

     Search for a U-M Health doctor     Gorav Ailawadi, MD

    Gorav Ailawadi, MD, MBA

    Professor

    Thoracic Surgery, Surgery

    Geoffrey Douglas Barnes, MD

    Geoffrey Douglas Barnes, MD, MSc

    Associate Professor

    Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Robert John Beaulieu, MD

    Robert John Beaulieu, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Vascular Surgery

    Craig Stanton Brown, MD

    Craig Stanton Brown, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Vascular Surgery

    Frank Michael Davis, MD

    Frank Michael Davis, MD

    Assistant Professor

    Vascular Surgery

    Kim Allen Eagle, MD

    Kim Allen Eagle, MD, MACC

    Professor

    Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Jonathan Lee Eliason, MD

    Jonathan Lee Eliason, MD

    Professor

    Vascular Surgery, Surgery

    James Barklow Froehlich, MD

    James Barklow Froehlich, MD

    Clinical Professor

    Cardiovascular Disease, Internal Medicine

    Shinichi Fukuhara, MD

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Thoracic Surgery, Surgery

    Barbara Hamilton, MD

    Barbara Hamilton, MD, MS

    Clinical Assistant Professor

    Thoracic Surgery, Cardiac Surgery

    Show All Doctors

    Research

    We continue to discover innovative and improved treatment options for aortic diseases. The University of Michigan is home to the International Registry of Aortic Dissection and several research laboratories that are exploring the molecular etiologies of aortic diseases. Through patient participation and research, we are helping to advance the best treatment options for all types of aortic diseases.

    News & Stories
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    Health Lab

    Treating a rare coronary artery aneurysm without open heart surgery

    Cardiologists at University of Michigan Health prevented the rupture of an aneurysm in a woman’s heart and used a minimally invasive solution to avoid open heart surgery. 
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    News Release

    A night of two national titles for U-M, as scientists and basketball players both triumph

    On the same night that the U-M men's basketball team triumphed in the NCAA tournament, U-M cardiovascular researchers won a national tournament of science
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    News Release

    Six U-M medical research teams picked for virtual science tournament

    The March Madness of science, called STAT Madness, brings attention to scientific research at U-M and around the nation; six U-M-led teams have made it to this year's tournament run by a health news organization.
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    Health Lab Podcast

    Delays in Heart Surgery for Women due to One-Size-Fits-All Criteria

    Two studies showed similar disparities for different heart procedures.
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    Health Lab

    Hospital partnership improves follow up scans, decreases long term risk after aortic repair

    A statewide partnership of hospitals in Michigan, which drastically increased follow up imaging after aortic aneurysm repairs, resulted in patients having a nearly 60% decrease in the likelihood of dying within one year of surgery.
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    Virtual reality enhances training for pediatric cardiologists

    Multicenter study suggests virtual reality may be valuable educational tool in boosting understanding of complex congenital heart disease among pediatric cardiologists.