Aortic dissection is a life-threatening medical condition in which a tear occurs in the major artery (aorta) that carries ...

It extends from the chest to the abdomen, where it branches (bifurcates ... This bulge in the aorta is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). An aneurysm is a bulge or balloon that forms in the ...

An aneurysm refers to ballooning ... the surgeon will make an incision on your chest beginning under the left shoulder blade and extending around to the abdomen. Depending on the extent of your aortic ...