Heart Health How Aortic Aneurysms Are Diagnosed By Richard N. Fogoros, MD Richard N. Fogoros, MD Facebook LinkedIn Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology. Learn about our editorial process Updated on May 23, 2022 Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD Medically reviewed by Jeffrey S. Lander, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jeffrey S. Lander, MD, is a board-certified cardiologist and the President and Governor of the American College of Cardiology, New Jersey chapter. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Screening Frequently Asked Questions If a person has an aortic aneurysm, it is important to make the diagnosis as early as possible, in order to prevent rupture or other complications. Doctors diagnose aortic aneurysms with imaging studies that can show the presence or absence of an aneurysm, its size, its location, and its effect on surrounding structures. Imaging studies can also give important clues regarding the likelihood of early rupture. In some people, the chances of having a rupture are high at the time the diagnosis is made, and early surgery is needed. In others, rupture does not appear imminent. In these people the diagnosis creates an opportunity for regular monitoring to determine how rapidly the aneurysm is growing. This allows the doctor to decide if and when elective surgical repair may become necessary. This proactive monitoring can only be done if you know the aortic aneurysm is there. All too often, unfortunately, people aren't diagnosed until a catastrophic rupture actually occurs—and all too often that’s too late. People who are at increased risk of developing an aortic aneurysm should be screened for this condition, so a diagnosis can be made early enough to do something about it. Illustration by Joshua Seong. © Verywell, 2018. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Ultrasounds In people who have no symptoms but are being screened for an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the diagnostic test used most commonly is an ultrasound examination. The ultrasound test uses sound waves to construct an image of various parts of the body. Ultrasound studies are extremely effective in diagnosing abdominal aortic aneurysms, as long as they are at least 3 cm in diameter. Because the test is relatively quick and is non-invasive, ultrasound is also used to perform serial studies to monitor people who have small or medium-sized abdominal aortic aneurysms. These serial ultrasound tests allow the doctor to judge whether the aneurysm is growing. People who are thought to be suffering from rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm are usually critically ill with severe cardiovascular instability, and rapid surgery is critical. For these patients, a rapid bedside ultrasound test is usually done to quickly confirm the diagnosis, usually while they are being prepared for emergency surgery. CT Scans CT scans are used instead of or in addition to ultrasound tests in people who are thought to be likely to require surgical repair. These would include people who have symptoms suspected to be caused by an abdominal aortic aneurysm, or anyone with a known aneurysm that appears to be growing to a potentially dangerous size. The CT scan not only shows the size and location of the aneurysm, but also shows important details about the surrounding structures and can reveal whether any sign of rupture or impending rupture are present. Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms In comparison to abdominal aortic aneurysms, thoracic aortic aneurysms tend to have more complex anatomy and tend much more often to involve critical surrounding structures such as the aortic valve, the large blood vessels that supply the brain, various nerves, and the airways. The decision on whether to do surgery for a thoracic aneurysm depends on more than just the size and rate of growth of the aneurysm; it also depends on which other structures in the chest are being affected. For this reason, when a thoracic aortic aneurysm is suspected, either a CT scan or an MRI study is usually performed because these studies show much more anatomic detail than an ultrasound study. If several serial studies are needed over time to help judge the optimal timing of surgery, MRI is typically used instead of CT scans, since MRI does not require radiation. Screening For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms It is distressingly common for the very first problem a person experiences with an abdominal aortic aneurysm to be the catastrophic symptoms of rupture. For this reason, screening studies using ultrasound are sometimes recommended for people with no symptoms, but who are judged to be at an elevated risk for an abdominal aortic aneurysm. Who Should Be Screened? A screening ultrasound test for abdominal aortic aneurysm is generally recommended for the following people: People who have a pulsatile mass in the abdomen on physical examination.Men over 65 years of age who have a history of smoking.Men or women over 65 years of age who have a close relative who required surgery for, or died from the rupture of, an abdominal aortic aneurysm. For Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms Thoracic aortic aneurysms are often detected incidentally, either during a routine chest X-ray or during a cardiac ultrasound study. If a thoracic aortic aneurism is detected in this way, a subsequent chest CT or MRI study should be done to confirm the diagnosis and determine the extent of the aneurysm. In certain high-risk people, screening examinations should be considered specifically to look for a thoracic aortic aneurysm, usually with either a CT scan or MRI. Who's At Risk? Indications for such a screening study include people with: Marfan syndrome Takayasu’s arteritis Turner syndrome Bicuspid aortic valve First-degree relatives of people who have had a thoracic aortic aneurysm thought to be of genetic origin If either an abdominal aortic aneurysm or a thoracic aortic aneurysm is diagnosed with a screening study, and it is determined that early surgery is not required, close monitoring and periodic reassessments with imaging studies should be done to prevent rupture or other complications. Frequently Asked Questions What type of doctor diagnoses an aortic aneurysm? Your primary care doctor is likely to be the first to notice signs of an aortic aneurysm. They may refer you to a cardiologist (a heart specialist) for further evaluation. You may also see a cardiothoracic or vascular surgeon, who can determine if surgery is recommended and, if necessary, perform it. It is possible to misdiagnose aortic aneurysm? Yes. Both abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms are susceptible to misdiagnosis, especially in the emergency room. Because a ruptured aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening medical emergency, misdiagnosis increases the risk of mortality. How Aortic Aneurysms Are Treated 2 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Harvard Health Publishing. Shining a Light on Thoracic Aortic Disease. Smidfelt K, Nordanstig J, Davidsson A, Törngren K, Langenskiöld M. Misdiagnosis of Ruptured Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Is Common and Is Associated with Increased Mortality. J Vasc Surg. 2021 Feb;73(2):476-483.e3. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2020.06.047 Additional Reading Boules Tn, Compton Cn, Stanziale Sf, Et Al. Can Computed Tomography Scan Findings Predict "Impending'' Aneurysm Rupture? Vasc Endovascular Surg; 40:41. Hirsch At, Haskal Zj, Hertzer Nr, Et Al. Acc/Aha 2005 Practice Guidelines For The Management Of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease (Lower Extremity, Renal, Mesenteric, And Abdominal Aortic): A Collaborative Report From The American Association For Vascular Surgery/Society For Vascular Surgery, Society For Cardiovascular Angiography And Interventions, Society For Vascular Medicine And Biology, Society Of Interventional Radiology, And The Acc/Aha Task Force On Practice Guidelines (Writing Committee To Develop Guidelines For The Management Of Patients With Peripheral Arterial Disease): Endorsed By The American Association Of Cardiovascular And Pulmonary Rehabilitation; National Heart, Lung, And Blood Institute; Society For Vascular Nursing; Transatlantic Inter-Society Consensus; And Vascular Disease Foundation. 113:E463. Siegel Cl, Cohan Rh, Korobkin M, Et Al. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Morphology: Ct Features In Patients With Ruptured And Nonruptured Aneurysms. Ajr Am J Roentgenol; 163:1123. Singh K, Bønaa Kh, Jacobsen Bk, Et Al. Prevalence Of And Risk Factors For Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms In A Population-Based Study : The Tromsø Study. Am J Epidemiol; 154:236. By Richard N. Fogoros, MD Richard N. Fogoros, MD, is a retired professor of medicine and board-certified in internal medicine, clinical cardiology, and clinical electrophysiology. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit