An aortic transection is a serious injury to the aorta, the body's largest artery. It typically occurs when significant trauma damages or tears the wall of the aorta. Because the aorta carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body, an aortic transection can cause life-threatening internal bleeding and requires immediate medical evaluation and treatment.
At the Comprehensive Aortic Center at UHealth, cardiac and vascular specialists provide advanced care for complex diseases and injuries of the aorta. Our team evaluates the location and severity of the injury, imaging findings and the patient's overall condition to determine the most appropriate treatment.
Emergency note: A suspected aortic transection is a medical emergency. If you or someone else has experienced significant trauma and may have a serious aortic injury, seek emergency medical care immediately.
What Is an Aortic Transection?
An aortic transection is a traumatic injury in which one or more layers of the aortic wall are torn. A severe injury can result in a partial or complete rupture of the aorta.
The thoracic aorta (the portion of the aorta located in the chest) can be particularly vulnerable to injury during major trauma. The extent of damage can vary considerably, which is why rapid imaging and evaluation are important.
You may also hear aortic transection described as a traumatic aortic injury or discussed in connection with a traumatic aortic rupture. Your cardiac and vascular team can explain the exact type and severity of injury identified on your imaging.
What Causes an Aortic Transection?
Aortic transection is most often associated with significant trauma that places sudden force on the chest and aorta.
The circumstances and severity of the injury can vary. Because aortic injuries may occur along with injuries to other parts of the body, diagnosis and treatment often require coordination among cardiac and vascular, trauma, imaging and other specialists.
Aortic Transection vs. Aortic Dissection: What's the Difference?
An aortic transection and an aortic dissection both involve damage to the wall of the aorta, but they are different conditions.
- An aortic transection is generally a traumatic injury in which the wall of the aorta is torn or disrupted.
- An aortic dissection occurs when a tear in the inner layer of the aorta allows blood to enter between layers of the aortic wall, causing those layers to separate.
Both conditions can be life-threatening and require prompt medical evaluation. Imaging helps specialists determine what type of aortic injury or disease is present and guides treatment.
What Are the Symptoms of Aortic Transection?
Symptoms depend on the location and severity of the injury as well as other injuries that may have occurred at the same time.
Because an aortic transection is associated with major trauma and can become life-threatening, symptoms, like chest pain, hoarseness, or shortness of breath, after a serious injury require immediate medical evaluation.
Do not wait for symptoms to worsen if a serious aortic injury is suspected. Seek emergency medical attention.
How Is Aortic Transection Diagnosed?
Imaging plays an important role in diagnosing aortic transection and determining the location and severity of the injury.
CT imaging can provide detailed images of the aorta and surrounding structures. Specialists use imaging findings together with information about the traumatic event, the patient's condition and other injuries to determine the appropriate next steps.
How Is an Aortic Transection Graded?
Aortic injuries can be classified according to the type and severity of damage to the aortic wall. Grading helps the medical team describe the injury and can be one factor used to determine how urgently it needs to be repaired and which treatment approach may be appropriate.
Your cardiac and vascular team will review your imaging and explain the extent of the injury, its location and what those findings mean for your treatment.
How Is Aortic Transection Treated?
Treatment for an aortic transection depends on factors including the location and severity of the injury, imaging findings, the patient's overall condition and whether other serious injuries are present.
Treatment may involve careful medical management and monitoring, endovascular repair or open aortic surgery, depending on the individual injury.
The immediate priority is to stabilize the patient and determine the safest approach to treating the damaged aorta. UHealth's cardiac and vascular specialists work with other members of the patient's care team to develop an individualized treatment plan.
Endovascular vs. Open Aortic Repair
Some aortic injuries can be treated using an endovascular approach, while others may require open surgery.
- With endovascular repair, specialists treat the damaged portion of the aorta from inside the blood vessel.
- Open aortic repair involves surgically accessing and repairing or replacing the injured portion of the aorta.
The appropriate approach depends on the anatomy and location of the injury, its severity and other individual factors. Your cardiac and vascular team will explain the recommended procedure and why it may be appropriate for your condition.
What Is Recovery Like After Aortic Transection?
Recovery varies significantly depending on the severity of the aortic injury, the treatment performed and whether the patient experienced other injuries.
Patients who undergo aortic repair require ongoing follow-up. Your care team will provide individualized instructions about physical activity, medications, follow-up imaging and when you can return to normal activities.
Long-term monitoring may also be recommended to evaluate the repaired aorta and overall aortic health.
Why Choose UHealth for Aortic Transection Care?
At the Comprehensive Aortic Center at UHealth, cardiac and vascular specialists work together to evaluate and treat complex conditions affecting the aorta.
Aortic injuries can require sophisticated imaging, rapid clinical decision-making and expertise in complex aortic repair. Your UHealth team evaluates the complete picture, including the location and severity of the injury, your anatomy, other medical or traumatic injuries and your overall cardiovascular health, when determining the appropriate treatment.
Our program is ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of the top 50 hospitals in the country in Cardiology, Heart & Vascular Surgery.
Talk to an Aortic Specialist
If you have been diagnosed with an aortic injury and need follow-up care or want a second opinion about aortic treatment, specialists at UHealth's Comprehensive Aortic Center can evaluate your condition and discuss your treatment options.
Call (305) 4-AORTIC or Request an Appointment.
If you may have an acute aortic injury following significant trauma, seek emergency medical attention immediately rather than requesting a routine appointment.
Schedule an Appointment
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with an aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection, or another aortic condition, our team is ready to help.