← Return to Aortic Aneurysm or Enlarged Aorta

Discussion
beebo avatar

Aortic Aneurysm or Enlarged Aorta

Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: 15 hours ago | Replies (11)

Comment receiving replies
Profile picture for bitsygirl @bitsygirl

To my understanding, the characterization of an aorta as an "aneurysm" versus a "dilation" refers to how much greater the diameter of the aorta is than normal. The exact numbers depend on which part of the aorta is being evaluated. I believe the term "aneurysm" is used when the ascending aorta is greater than 4.5 cm and "dilated" when it's between 4.0 and 4.5 cm

You can try to unravel it here: https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIR.0000000000001106. This document is very technical and directed at physicians though. I'd have to guess that "enlarged" is ... high end of normal? Slightly above normal?

Jump to this post


Replies to "To my understanding, the characterization of an aorta as an "aneurysm" versus a "dilation" refers to..."

@bitsygirl
I have seen doctors refer to thins in the 4.3 to 4.5 range as moderate.