Glossary of Aortic Terms, Conditions & Treatments
This glossary provides clear, layperson-friendly explanations of key terms related to aortic dissection, aneurysms, and aortic disease research.
A
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA)
A bulge or enlargement in the part of the aorta that runs through the abdomen (stomach area). This happens when the artery wall weakens, causing it to stretch and balloon out.
Acquired Condition
A medical condition that develops over time due to lifestyle factors, injury, or other diseases, rather than being inherited from a parent.
Aneurysm
A bulge or ballooning in a weakened part of an artery. If it grows too large, it can rupture, leading to life-threatening bleeding.
Fusiform aneurysm – The artery wall expands all around, forming a uniform bulge.
Saccular aneurysm – A bulge forms on one side of the artery.
Pseudoaneurysm (false aneurysm) – A contained rupture of the artery, often caused by trauma or damage to the artery wall.
Angiography / Angiogram
A test where a special dye is injected into the blood vessels and X-rays are taken to see how blood flows through the arteries.
Aorta
The largest artery in the body, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body. It is divided into sections:
Aortic root (near the heart)
Ascending aorta (moves upward)
Aortic arch (curves over the heart)
Descending aorta (moves downward)
Abdominal aorta (supplies blood to the lower body)
Aortic Dissection
A tear in the inner wall of the aorta that allows blood to flow between layers of the artery wall, creating a false channel. This can lead to a rupture or block blood flow to vital organs.
Types of aortic dissection:
Type A – Involves the ascending aorta, closer to the heart (requires emergency surgery).
Type B – Occurs in the descending aorta, further from the heart (may be managed with medication or surgery).
Aortic Insufficiency (Aortic Regurgitation)
A condition where the aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak back into the heart instead of flowing forward.
Aortic Stenosis
A narrowing and thickening of the aortic valve, making it harder for blood to flow from the heart into the aorta.
Aortic Valve
A heart valve that separates the left ventricle of the heart from the aorta and controls blood flow into the body.
Arrhythmia
An irregular heartbeat – t can be too fast, too slow, or uneven.
Artery
A blood vessel that carries oxygen-rich blood away from the heart.
Atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the artery walls, which can make them narrow and stiff, restricting blood flow.
Autosomal Dominant Inheritance
A pattern of inheritance where a gene mutation from one parent is enough to cause a condition, with a 50% chance of passing it to children.
B
Bentall Procedure
A type of aortic surgery that replaces the aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta with an artificial valve and graft.
Bicuspid Aortic Valve (BAV)
A condition where the aortic valve has two leaflets instead of three, which can lead to narrowing (stenosis) or leaking (regurgitation) over time.
Blood Pressure
The force of blood against artery walls as the heart pumps. A normal reading is around 120/80 mmHg.
Blood Thinner (Anticoagulant)
A medication that reduces blood clotting to prevent strokes, heart attacks, or clot-related complications.
C
Cardiac Catheterization
A procedure where a thin tube (catheter) is inserted into a blood vessel to check heart function or treat heart problems.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
A detailed X-ray scan that creates 3D images of the body, often used to check the size and shape of aneurysms or diagnose aortic dissection.
Congenital Condition
A medical condition that a person is born with.
Connective Tissue Disorders
A group of genetic conditions that affect the body’s connective tissue, often making the aorta weaker and more prone to aneurysms. Examples include:
Marfan syndrome
Loeys-Dietz syndrome
Vascular Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
D
Dissection (Aortic Dissection)
A tear in the aortic wall, causing blood to flow between the layers of the artery, which can lead to rupture.
Dyspnea
A medical term for shortness of breath.
E
Echocardiogram
A heart ultrasound that uses sound waves to create images of the heart and aorta.
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
A test that records the electrical activity of the heart, used to detect irregular heart rhythms.
Endovascular Repair (TEVAR / EVAR)
A minimally invasive procedure where a stent graft is placed inside the aorta through a small incision in the leg, used to treat aneurysms or dissections.
TEVAR – Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (for the chest area).
EVAR – Endovascular Aneurysm Repair (for the abdominal area).
G
Genetic Testing
A test that checks for gene mutations linked to aortic disease, helping identify hereditary risk factors.
H
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure)
A condition where blood pressure is consistently high, increasing the risk of aneurysms and aortic dissection.
M
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
A radiation-free scan that creates detailed images of the heart and blood vessels, often used for monitoring aneurysms.
Marfan Syndrome
A genetic connective tissue disorder that can cause a weakened aorta, increasing the risk of aortic aneurysm and dissection.
O
Open Surgical Repair
A traditional major surgery where the aorta is replaced with a synthetic graft through a large chest or abdominal incision.
P
Penetrating Aortic Ulcer
A condition where plaque buildup in the aorta erodes through the artery wall, increasing the risk of dissection or rupture.
Pseudoaneurysm (False Aneurysm)
A contained rupture of the aortic wall, often caused by trauma or previous surgery.
S
Stent Graft
A tube-like device made of metal and fabric that is placed inside the aorta to reinforce a weak or damaged artery wall.
Syncope
A medical term for fainting or losing consciousness.
T
Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm (TAA)
A bulge in the chest portion of the aorta, which can grow and increase the risk of rupture.
Turner Syndrome
A genetic condition affecting females, which increases the risk of bicuspid aortic valve and aortic aneurysms.
V
Valve-Sparing Surgery
Aortic surgery where the aortic valve is preserved while replacing the weakened part of the aorta.
Vascular
Referring to blood vessels, including arteries and veins.
This glossary provides simple explanations of complex medical terms related to aortic dissection and aneurysm research. Let us know if there are other terms you’d like to see included!