A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a weakened area in the body's main artery in the chest. The body's main artery is called the aorta. When the aortic wall is weak, the artery may get wider. When the artery gets very wide, it's called an aneurysm. An aneurysm can happen anywhere in the thoracic aorta, including near the heart.

A thoracic aortic aneurysm also is called a thoracic aneurysm. If the aneurysm is between the upper and lower parts of the aorta, it's called a thoracoabdominal aneurysm.

Thoracic aortic aneurysms are less common than aneurysms in the lower part of the aorta, called abdominal aortic aneurysms.

Treatment of a thoracic aortic aneurysm depends on the cause and size of the aneurysm and how fast it's growing. Treatment may range from regular health checkups to emergency surgery. A thoracic aortic aneurysm that ruptures or causes a tear called a dissection is a medical emergency that can lead to death.

The goals of treatment for a thoracic aortic aneurysm are to:

• Stop the aneurysm from growing.
• Prevent aortic rupture.

Treatment depends on the aneurysm's size and how fast it's growing.

Treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm may include:

• Regular health checkups, sometimes called watchful waiting.
• Medicines.
• Surgery.

Regular checkups

Small thoracic aneurysms may only need medicine and regular imaging tests to watch the aneurysm.

Usually you get an echocardiogram, CT or magnetic resonance angiography scan at least six months after your aneurysm is diagnosed. How often you need these tests depends on the cause and size of the aneurysm, and how fast it's growing.

Medications

Medicines may be used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions linked to aneurysms.

• Beta blockers. These medicines slow the heartbeat and lower blood pressure. They may reduce how fast the aorta is widening in people with Marfan syndrome.
• Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs). These medicines may be used if beta blockers can't be taken or if they don't lower blood pressure enough. They are often recommended for people who have Loeys-Dietz syndrome even if they don't have high blood pressure. Examples of ARBs include losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan) and olmesartan (Benicar).
• Statins. These medicines help lower cholesterol. They can help reduce the risk of blockages in the arteries and aneurysm complications. Examples of statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin (Zocor, FloLipid) and others.

Surgery or other procedures

Surgery is generally recommended for thoracic aortic aneurysms about 1.9 to 2.4 inches (about 5 to 6 centimeters) and larger. Surgery may be recommended for smaller aneurysms if you have a family history of aortic dissection or a condition linked to aortic aneurysm, such as Marfan syndrome.

The type of surgery done depends on:

• The cause of the aneurysm.
• Your overall health.
• The location of the aneurysm.

Types of surgeries and procedures for thoracic aortic aneurysms include:

• Open surgery. Most people with a thoracic aortic aneurysm have this major surgery. A surgeon removes part of the aorta damaged by the aneurysm. It's replaced with a tube, called a graft, which is sewn into place.
• Aortic root surgery. This surgery is done to prevent an aortic aneurysm from rupturing. A surgeon takes out part of the aorta and sometimes the aortic valve. A graft replaces the removed part of the aorta. The aortic valve may be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. If the valve is not removed, the surgery is called valve-sparing aortic root repair.

• Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This treatment is a less invasive option to open surgery. That means it uses small surgical cuts and may allow a faster recovery. The surgeon places a thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guides it to the aorta. A graft on the end of the catheter goes where the aneurysm is. Small hooks or pins hold the graft in place. The graft strengthens the weakened part of the aorta.

  EVAR can't be done on everyone. Ask your healthcare professional whether it's right for you. After EVAR, you need regular imaging tests to make sure the graft is working correctly.

• Emergency surgery. A ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm needs emergency surgery. This open-chest surgery is risky. There is a high chance of complications. That's why it's important to find and treat thoracic aortic aneurysms before they rupture.

The goals of treatment for a thoracic aortic aneurysm are to:

• Stop the aneurysm from growing.
• Prevent aortic rupture.

Treatment depends on the aneurysm's size and how fast it's growing.

Treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm may include:

• Regular health checkups, sometimes called watchful waiting.
• Medicines.
• Surgery.

Regular checkups

Small thoracic aneurysms may only need medicine and regular imaging tests to watch the aneurysm.

Usually you get an echocardiogram, CT or magnetic resonance angiography scan at least six months after your aneurysm is diagnosed. How often you need these tests depends on the cause and size of the aneurysm, and how fast it's growing.

Medications

Medicines may be used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions linked to aneurysms.

• Beta blockers. These medicines slow the heartbeat and lower blood pressure. They may reduce how fast the aorta is widening in people with Marfan syndrome.
• Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs). These medicines may be used if beta blockers can't be taken or if they don't lower blood pressure enough. They are often recommended for people who have Loeys-Dietz syndrome even if they don't have high blood pressure. Examples of ARBs include losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan) and olmesartan (Benicar).
• Statins. These medicines help lower cholesterol. They can help reduce the risk of blockages in the arteries and aneurysm complications. Examples of statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin (Zocor, FloLipid) and others.

Surgery or other procedures

Surgery is generally recommended for thoracic aortic aneurysms about 1.9 to 2.4 inches (about 5 to 6 centimeters) and larger. Surgery may be recommended for smaller aneurysms if you have a family history of aortic dissection or a condition linked to aortic aneurysm, such as Marfan syndrome.

The type of surgery done depends on:

• The cause of the aneurysm.
• Your overall health.
• The location of the aneurysm.

Types of surgeries and procedures for thoracic aortic aneurysms include:

• Open surgery. Most people with a thoracic aortic aneurysm have this major surgery. A surgeon removes part of the aorta damaged by the aneurysm. It's replaced with a tube, called a graft, which is sewn into place.
• Aortic root surgery. This surgery is done to prevent an aortic aneurysm from rupturing. A surgeon takes out part of the aorta and sometimes the aortic valve. A graft replaces the removed part of the aorta. The aortic valve may be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. If the valve is not removed, the surgery is called valve-sparing aortic root repair.

• Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This treatment is a less invasive option to open surgery. That means it uses small surgical cuts and may allow a faster recovery. The surgeon places a thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guides it to the aorta. A graft on the end of the catheter goes where the aneurysm is. Small hooks or pins hold the graft in place. The graft strengthens the weakened part of the aorta.

  EVAR can't be done on everyone. Ask your healthcare professional whether it's right for you. After EVAR, you need regular imaging tests to make sure the graft is working correctly.

• Emergency surgery. A ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm needs emergency surgery. This open-chest surgery is risky. There is a high chance of complications. That's why it's important to find and treat thoracic aortic aneurysms before they rupture.

The goals of treatment for a thoracic aortic aneurysm are to:

• Stop the aneurysm from growing.
• Prevent aortic rupture.

Treatment depends on the aneurysm's size and how fast it's growing.

Treatment for thoracic aortic aneurysm may include:

• Regular health checkups, sometimes called watchful waiting.
• Medicines.
• Surgery.

Regular checkups

Small thoracic aneurysms may only need medicine and regular imaging tests to watch the aneurysm.

Usually you get an echocardiogram, CT or magnetic resonance angiography scan at least six months after your aneurysm is diagnosed. How often you need these tests depends on the cause and size of the aneurysm, and how fast it's growing.

Medications

Medicines may be used to treat high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other conditions linked to aneurysms.

• Beta blockers. These medicines slow the heartbeat and lower blood pressure. They may reduce how fast the aorta is widening in people with Marfan syndrome.
• Angiotensin 2 receptor blockers (ARBs). These medicines may be used if beta blockers can't be taken or if they don't lower blood pressure enough. They are often recommended for people who have Loeys-Dietz syndrome even if they don't have high blood pressure. Examples of ARBs include losartan (Cozaar), valsartan (Diovan) and olmesartan (Benicar).
• Statins. These medicines help lower cholesterol. They can help reduce the risk of blockages in the arteries and aneurysm complications. Examples of statins are atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Altoprev), simvastatin (Zocor, FloLipid) and others.

Surgery or other procedures

Surgery is generally recommended for thoracic aortic aneurysms about 1.9 to 2.4 inches (about 5 to 6 centimeters) and larger. Surgery may be recommended for smaller aneurysms if you have a family history of aortic dissection or a condition linked to aortic aneurysm, such as Marfan syndrome.

The type of surgery done depends on:

• The cause of the aneurysm.
• Your overall health.
• The location of the aneurysm.

Types of surgeries and procedures for thoracic aortic aneurysms include:

• Open surgery. Most people with a thoracic aortic aneurysm have this major surgery. A surgeon removes part of the aorta damaged by the aneurysm. It's replaced with a tube, called a graft, which is sewn into place.
• Aortic root surgery. This surgery is done to prevent an aortic aneurysm from rupturing. A surgeon takes out part of the aorta and sometimes the aortic valve. A graft replaces the removed part of the aorta. The aortic valve may be replaced with a mechanical or biological valve. If the valve is not removed, the surgery is called valve-sparing aortic root repair.

• Endovascular aortic aneurysm repair (EVAR). This treatment is a less invasive option to open surgery. That means it uses small surgical cuts and may allow a faster recovery. The surgeon places a thin, flexible tube into a blood vessel, usually in the groin, and guides it to the aorta. A graft on the end of the catheter goes where the aneurysm is. Small hooks or pins hold the graft in place. The graft strengthens the weakened part of the aorta.

  EVAR can't be done on everyone. Ask your healthcare professional whether it's right for you. After EVAR, you need regular imaging tests to make sure the graft is working correctly.

• Emergency surgery. A ruptured thoracic aortic aneurysm needs emergency surgery. This open-chest surgery is risky. There is a high chance of complications. That's why it's important to find and treat thoracic aortic aneurysms before they rupture.