Aortic Conditions & Diseases

As the body’s largest artery, the aorta carries oxygen-rich blood throughout the body. This hard working vessel can be vulnerable to a number of disorders, many that are life threatening. The UCLA Aortic Center is world-renowned for the evaluation and treatment of every type of aortic disease. Using advanced imaging tests, our physicians can quickly and accurately diagnose aortic disease better than ever before.

From the latest medicines to the most advanced minimally invasive approaches, our expert team customizes each treatment plan to provide you with the best result. Read more about our diagnosis and treatment options.

Aortic Conditions and Diseases We Treat

We specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of the following conditions:

• Aortic aneurysms: Irregular bulges in the aorta, which can split the artery walls (dissection) or burst (rupture) 

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm 

• Aortic arch aneurysm 

• Abdominal aortic aneurysm 

• Aortic dissections: Tears in the aorta’s walls, leading to blood leaks that can be life-threatening 

• Aortic occlusive disease: Blocked blood flow in the aorta 

• Aortic valve disease: A condition in which the valve between the heart’s pumping chamber (left ventricle) and the aorta does not work correctly 

• Aortic regurgitation: When the aortic valve does not close properly, causing blood to leak backward from the aorta to the left ventricle 

• Aortic stenosis: When the aortic valve narrows, restricting proper blood flow 

• Bicuspid aortic valve: An aortic valve that only has two flaps instead of the usual three, often leading to valve narrowing (stenosis) 

• Aortitis: Inflammatory or infectious conditions in the aorta 

• Connective tissue disease:  

• Marfan syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects connective tissue, often leading to an aortic aneurysm  

• Loeys-Dietz syndrome: A rare genetic disorder that affects the connective tissue throughout the body 

• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome: A genetic disorder that affects your connective tissues, often resulting in flexible joints and fragile skin 

• Pesudoaneurysm: A false aneurysm that occurs when a blood vessel wall is injured and blood collects in the surrounding tissue. 

• Re-operative aortic surgery: patients with prior aortic surgery needing care for progression of disease 

• Traumatic aortic injuries: Injuries that cause a puncture, tear or bruise on the aorta, often occurring because of a motor vehicle accident or gunshot wound 

Complete list of aortic conditions and diseases we treat:

• Aortic aneurysms
• Aortic arch aneurysms
• Aortic arch syndrome
• Aortic insufficiency
• Aortic intramural hematoma
• Aortic occlusive disease
• Aortic penetrating ulcer
• Aortic valvular disease, including aortic stenosis
• Aortitis
• Bicuspid aortic valve
• Congenital and hereditary aortic defects, including Marfan syndrome
• Degenerative Aortic Disease
• Mycotic aortic aneurysm, pseudoaneurysm
• Traumatic aortic injury
• Type A and Type B aortic dissections