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Aortic Aneurysm Research Paper

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Aortic aneurysm (chest)
Overview-
The aorta is the largest artery in the body and is the blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to all parts of the body. It widens and balloons the portion of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. A thoracic aortic aneurysm occurs in the part of the body's largest artery (the aorta) that passes through the chest. Depending on its location and size, it may rupture or dissect (tear), causing life-threatening internal bleeding. When detected in time, a thoracic aortic aneurysm can often be repaired with surgery or other less invasive techniques.
Symptoms-
As a thoracic aortic aneurysm grows, some people may notice:
• Tearing pain in the chest, abdomen, and/or middle of …show more content…

• Sometimes people who have problems with the valve that blood flows through as it leaves your heart have an increased risk of thoracic aortic aneurysm.
• Some people who are injured in falls or motor vehicle crashes develop thoracic aortic aneurysms.
Diagnosis-
The physical exam is often normal unless a rupture or leak has occurred. This includes:
• Chest X-ray- Your doctor may first suspect you have a thoracic aortic aneurysm by looking at chest X-ray images. Your doctor may discover a thoracic aortic aneurysm on X-ray images ordered to check for another condition.
• Echocardiogram-Thoracic aortic aneurysms may be diagnosed by echocardiogram, and this technique is often used to screen family members of those with thoracic aortic aneurysm.
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan-This painless test can provide your doctor with clear images of your aorta, and it can detect the size and shape of an aneurysm. During a CT scan, you lie on a table inside a doughnut-shaped machine.
• Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-An MRA is a painless imaging test that may be used to diagnose an aneurysm and determine its size and location. In this test, you lie on a movable table that slides into the tunnel.

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