Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysms

Aortic aneurysms, while most commonly occurring in the infrarenal aorta, can involve any segment of the aorta and/or multiple segments of the aorta concomitantly. Due to the weakening of the vessel wall, aneurysms are prone to rupture or dissection (tear within the layers of the aortic wall), which can present as an acute medical emergency, and may even be fatal. As such, aneurysms are monitored for growth and repaired if they exceed the established criteria for intervention. Here, we discuss the management of descending thoracic aortic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms.