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A thoracic aortic aneurysm is an aortic aneurysm that presents primarily in the thorax. A thoracic aortic aneurysm is the "ballooning" of the upper aspect of the aorta, above the diaphragm. Untreated or unrecognized they can be fatal due to dissection or "popping" of the aneurysm leading to nearly instant death.
The thoracic aorta is a continuation of the descending aorta and becomes the abdominal aorta when it passes through the diaphragm. The initial part of the aorta , the ascending aorta , rises out of the left ventricle, from which it is separated by the aortic valve .
Ectasia (/ ɛ k ˈ t eɪ ʒ ə /), also called ectasis (/ ˈ ɛ k t ə s ɪ s /), is dilation or distention of a tubular structure, [1] either normal or pathophysiologic but usually the latter (except in atelectasis, where absence of ectasis is the problem).
Aortic aneurysm; Figure A shows a normal aorta. Figure B shows a thoracic aortic aneurysm (which is located behind the heart). Figure C shows an abdominal aortic aneurysm located below the arteries that supply blood to the kidneys. Specialty: Cardiology, Vascular surgery: Symptoms: abdominal pain and back pain: Complications: Hemorrhaging ...
A thoracic aorta diameter greater than 3.5 cm is generally considered dilated, whereas a diameter greater than 4.5 cm is generally considered to be a thoracic aortic aneurysm. [4] Still, the average diameter in the population varies by for example age and sex.
Aortic unfolding is an abnormality visible on a chest X-ray, that shows widening of the mediastinum which may mimic the appearance of a thoracic aortic aneurysm. [1]With aging, the ascending portion of the thoracic aorta increases in length by approximately 12% per decade, whereas the diameter increases by just 3% per decade.
The aortic wall dilatation at the commissural level causes the cusps to effectively shorten and prevent them from converging during systole, which results in aortic valve incompetence. The arch is typically spared from the aneurysmal process, though it may involve the entire ascending aorta. The ectatic aorta may experience dissections.
Causes can include aortic dissection (which is the most common type), [8] intramural hematoma, penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer or a thoracic aneurysm that has become unstable. [9] The potential causes of AAS are life-threatening and present with similar symptoms, making it difficult to distinguish the ultimate cause, though high resolution ...