Genetics of Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Dissections and Aneurysms

Acute aortic dissection is a life-threatening event that requires immediate medical attention and surgical intervention. Aortic dissections affect 4 to 5 per 10,000 individuals in the USA. These emergency events can have as high as a 50% mortality risk. Twenty percent of patients who develop a thoracic aortic dissection have an underlying genetic cause for their increased risk for aortic aneurysm and dissection, which can be identified using genetic testing. Genes associated with abdominal aortic aneurysm and dissection have been identified but have not been reported for clinical use or management at this time.