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Aortic Aneurysm

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Types of and risks of this bulge in the wall of the body’s largest artery

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An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the wall of the aorta, the body’s largest artery, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. If the aortic wall weakens, the pressure of blood flow can cause the wall of the artery to bulge outward.

What are the types of aortic aneurysm?

We label aortic aneurysms based on where in the body they appear:

  • An abdominal aortic aneurysm forms in the abdomen, or belly.
  • A thoracic aortic aneurysm forms in the thorax, or chest. This can include aneurysms of the aortic root, ascending aorta and aortic arch.
  • A thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm forms between the chest and belly.

We bring heart and vascular surgeons together in our Complex Aortic Center to care for patients with these complex conditions.

What are the risk factors for aortic aneurysms?

An aneurysm can form in the aorta for many reasons. The biggest risk factor is smoking, which also increases the risk that the aneurysm will burst.

Other risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include:

  • Aortic dissection
  • Atherosclerosis
  • Certain birth defects
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Major injuries to the chest, such as from car accidents

Complex Aortic Center

Partner with a recognized leader in offering care and disease management for the most complex aortic disorders.

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Tests

Abdominal Duplex Ultrasound

Abdominal duplex ultrasound is a combination of a traditional and Doppler ultrasound that assesses the blood vessels in your abdomen for blockages or aneurysms.

Cardiac Catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a minimally invasive way to diagnose and treat a variety of heart and vascular conditions by guiding thin, flexible tubes called catheters through blood vessels to problem areas.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

The cardiac computed tomography scan, or cardiac CT, uses X-rays to create three-dimensional images of your heart and blood vessels.

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of your heart.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

Magnetic resonance imaging, better known as cardiac MRI, is a combination of radio waves, magnets and computer technology to create images of your heart and blood vessels.

Treatments

Careful monitoring, medication and other approaches may be enough to treat an aortic aneurysm without surgery. For more complex cases, we offer individualized treatment plans.

Aneurysm Surgery

Aneurysm surgery is used to repair bulges in blood vessels after they have ruptured or to prevent them from rupturing. Surgery may take several approaches: traditional open surgery, a minimally invasive endovascular method or a hybrid of the two.

Fenestrated Aortic Aneurysm Repair

Fenestrated aortic aneurysm repair is a procedure using custom stents to treat aneurysms that affect multiple branches of the aorta.

Physicians

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42 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Dr. Misaki Mikki Kiguchi, MD
Vascular Surgery
(364)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest 4th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Kevin Grant Handy, MD
Dr. Kevin Grant Handy, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
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Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Dr. Raghuveer Vallabhaneni, MD
Vascular Surgery
(179)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-2950
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Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Dr. Ayesha Nzeribe Hatch, MD
Vascular Surgery
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-3100
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Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Dr. Margaret Walkup Arnold, MD
Vascular Surgery
9000 Franklin Square Drive Baltimore, MD 21237
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Dr. Brian Thomas Bethea, MD
Dr. Brian Thomas Bethea, MD
Cardiac Surgery
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-6550
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Dr. Alena Lira, MD
Dr. Alena Lira, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Dr. Joshua A. Dearing, MD
Vascular Surgery
(193)
7501 Surratts Road 208 Clinton, MD 20735
301-877-7353
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Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Dr. Krystal C. Maloni, MD
Vascular Surgery
110 Irving Street Northwest Center for Vascular Care Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
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Dr. Michael Fiocco, MD
Dr. Michael Fiocco, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Cardiac Surgery
(158)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-6550
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Dr. Michael J. Hockstein, MD
Dr. Michael J. Hockstein, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Dr. Cameron M. Akbari, MD, MBA
Vascular Surgery
(278)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3600 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 444-2255
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Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Dr. Edward Yiming Woo, MD
Vascular Surgery
(239)
106 Irving Street Northwest Physician Office Building North Tower, Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Dr. Mark O'Brien Peeler, MD
Vascular Surgery
(469)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Ricardo Orlando Quarrie, MD, MS
Dr. Ricardo Orlando Quarrie, MD, MS
Cardiac Surgery
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 554-6550
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Dr. Jennifer Yu, MD
Dr. Jennifer Yu, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Christian Charles Shults, MD
Dr. Christian Charles Shults, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Cardiac Surgery
(248)
1830 SUITE 405 Reston, VA 20190
(202) 877-7464
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Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Dr. Kevin Arthur Brown, MD
Vascular Surgery
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
410-571-8430
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Dr. Arthur C. St. Andre, MD
Dr. Arthur C. St. Andre, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Pamela M. Paufler, MD
Dr. Pamela M. Paufler, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Brian George Lee, MD
Dr. Brian George Lee, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Nimesh Satish Shah, MD
Dr. Nimesh Satish Shah, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 4B Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Dr. Steven David Abramowitz, MD
Vascular Surgery
(237)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 3150 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-0275
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Dr. Stephen M. Luczycki, MD
Dr. Stephen M. Luczycki, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Dr. Suzanne Siefert Kool, MD
Vascular Surgery
(182)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
(410) 554-2950
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Dr. Akram M. Zaaqoq, MD
Dr. Akram M. Zaaqoq, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
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Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Dr. Jason Andrew Chin, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Smyth Bldg Ste 303 Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-3431
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Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Dr. Jason Ryan Crowner, MD
Vascular Surgery
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard GSH SMYTH BLDG Baltimore, MD 21239
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Dr. Ammar S. Bafi, MD
Dr. Ammar S. Bafi, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Cardiac Surgery
(199)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7464
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Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Dr. Stephen Fulvio Stanziale, MD
Vascular Surgery
(282)
9101 Franklin Square Drive Outpatient Center, Suite 212 Baltimore, MD 21237
(443)-777-1900
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Dr. Hiroto Kitahara, MD
Dr. Hiroto Kitahara, MD
Cardiac Surgery
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7464
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Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Dr. Arthur Flatau, III, MD
Vascular Surgery
(316)
25500 Point Lookout Road Floor 2 Leonardtown, MD 20650
(240) 434-4072
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Dr. Seife Yohannes, MD
Dr. Seife Yohannes, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4B42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Alexander I. Papolos, MD
Dr. Alexander I. Papolos, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Benjamin B. Kenigsberg, MD
Dr. Benjamin B. Kenigsberg, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
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Dr. Chadi Tanios Abouassaly, MD
Dr. Chadi Tanios Abouassaly, MD
Cardiac Critical Care
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 4B39 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. Ezequiel J. Molina, MD
Dr. Ezequiel J. Molina, MD
Cardiac Surgery
(133)
1830 SUITE 405 Reston, VA 20190
(202) 877-7464
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Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Dr. Lucy B. Kupersmith, MD
Vascular Surgery
1630 Main Street Suite 208 Chester, MD 21619
(410) 571-8430
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Dr. Alexandra Kristina Pratt, MD
Dr. Alexandra Kristina Pratt, MD
Critical Care Medicine
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 4B-42 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7259
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Dr. John Harvey, MD
Dr. John Harvey, MD
Vascular Surgery
(267)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Dr. Javairiah Fatima, MD
Vascular Surgery
18101 Prince Philip Drive Olney, MD 20832
(301) 774-8962
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Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Dr. Geetha Jeyabalan, MD
Vascular Surgery
(268)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 520 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 571-8430
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