Aortic Aneurysms

What is an Aorta? What is an Aortic Aneurysm (AA)? At what level does the Aortic Aneurysm (AA) develop? What are the symptoms of an Aortic Aneurysm (AA)? If most AA have no symptoms how are they found? What causes weakening of the Aortic wall to form an Aneurysm? Who is at risk and how can AA be screened? How are AA treated once discovered? Treatment I. Open repair Treatment II. Endovascular aneurysm repair or EVAR What to expect from open repair? What to expect from endovascular repair?

What is an Aorta?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It originates from the let side of the heart and carries blood rich in oxygen. The aorta has many branches which carry oxygenated blood to vital organs such as the brain, liver, kidneys, intestines, and extremities. The aorta starts above the aortic valve and courses upwards towards the head then curves and courses downwards thru the chest and abdomen.