Aortic Root Aneurysm

What Is an Aortic Root Aneurysm?

An aneurysm occurs when a blood vessel stretches or bulges in one place. An aortic root aneurysm occurs in the beginning, or root, of the aorta.

The aorta is the body's largest blood vessel. It transports blood to the body from the heart.

Doctors also call an aortic root aneurysm a dilated aortic root.

Aortic root aneurysm risk factors and causes

Certain health problems increase the risk for aortic root aneurysms, including genetic or connective tissue disorders such as:

• Marfan syndrome
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
• Loeys-Dietz syndrome

Autoimmune or inflammatory diseases that affect the arteries also raise risk.

These include:

• Kawasaki disease
• Takayasu arteritis
• Behcet's disease
• Giant cell arteritis

Other health and lifestyle factors that increase aortic root aneurysm risk are:

• Infections around the heart
• High blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Smoking

Aortic root aneurysms can also result from birth defects of the heart or blunt trauma (an extreme blow) to the chest.

Aortic root aneurysm complications

The aortic root has a valve that allows blood to pass from the heart to the aorta.

When the heart pumps blood out, the valve opens. The valve then closes to prevent blood from flowing back in from the aorta.

When an aneurysm stretches the aorta, the valve can't fully close. Because the valve stays open, the blood pumped into the aorta can flow back into the heart.

This causes problems such as:

• The coronary arteries, which supply blood to the heart muscle, don't get enough blood from the aorta.
• The rest of the body's organs don't get enough blood.
• The aneurysm can dissect, which means the layers of the blood vessel can start to tear.
• The aneurysm can rupture, which means it can burst open and leak blood quickly into the body.
• Blood clots can form near the aneurysm and travel to other parts of the body, including the brain, lungs, and heart.

Aortic root aneurysms prevention

Though some people are at higher risk for this disease, it doesn't mean they'll form an aortic root aneurysm.

If you're at higher risk for an aortic root aneurysm, ways to help prevent it include:

• Making healthy lifestyle choices.
• Eating heart-healthy foods.
• Quitting smoking.

If you received an aortic root aneurysm diagnosis, you should:

• Have a heart doctor routinely check your condition.
• Track your blood pressure and share with your heart doctor. Strict blood pressure control is vital for treating aortic root aneurysms.
• Ask your doctor if you can exercise, and how much. A dilated aortic root doesn't rule out exercise, but your doctor can advise you on what types are best for you.

Why Choose UPMC for Aortic Root Aneurysm Care?

The UPMC Heart and Vascular Institute is one of the world's premier centers for complete heart and blood vessel care.

Our experts:

• Use a team approach with every person we treat.
• Care for those facing the most complex heart and vascular conditions.
• Advance the science and medicine in heart and vessel care through research.