Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a progressive weakening of the aorta due to vascular disease, injury (trauma), or a genetic defect of the tissue within the arterial wall. Risk factors for developing this disease include family history, smoking, heart disease, high blood pressure and a high fat diet.

A TAA is a swelling or ballooning of the thoracic aorta resulting from a weakened section of the artery. The diameter of the aorta normally ranges from 2-4 cm, an aneurysm can cause the diameter to increase several times its normal size. The risk of rupture increases with aneurysm size and high blood pressure. Ruptured aneurysms are frequently fatal. It is common to not experience any symptoms of this disease. When symptoms do occur, they are usually manifested as pain in the chest, back, shoulder, abdomen or neck areas. Because of the lack of symptoms, many aneurysms are found during medical tests such as CT scans, angiograms or MRI’s.