Cardiovascular · UKMLA & AKT
Thoracic aortic aneurysm
A free high-yield preview for the UKMLA Applied Knowledge Test, covering how to recognise this condition. The full SA Note notes add investigations, management and complications, with practice questions on this topic.
Key high-yield points
- Permanent dilatation of the thoracic aorta ≥1.5× expected normal diameter (true aneurysm - all 3 layers involved)
- Normal ascending aorta ~3.0-3.5 cm; descending ~2.0-2.5 cm
- Most common segment: ascending aorta; least common (highest operative risk): aortic arch
- Majority are asymptomatic - discovered incidentally on imaging
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