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Updated: Aug 5, 2026

Modified Octopus Technique for Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Published on: August 1, 2025
The Prevalence of Thoracic Aortic Aneurysms in Patients with Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms
Holly Watson1, Helena Edlin2, Ferdinand Serracino-Inglott3
1Vascular Laboratory, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, England; Manchester Vascular Research and Innovation Centre (MAVRIC), Manchester Vascular Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, England; NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), The Nowgen Centre, Manchester, England.
Background:
The aim of this study was to quantify the prevalence of thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAAs) in patients with a known abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) within the Northwest of England and understand the characteristics of this subpopulation.
Methods:
A retrospective review of data from all patients diagnosed with an AAA from 2010 to 2023 and entered onto AAA surveillance within the National Health Service (NHS) Manchester University Foundation Trust. Of these, patients with a thoracic computed tomography (CT) available were reviewed for diagnosis of TAA.
Results:
Out of 250 patients with a thoracic CT, 49 patients (19.6%) had a TAA. Females were more likely to have a TAA in the descending segment (36.4% in males vs. 81.3% in females, P < 0.01). The mean diameter of AAA and TAA at diagnosis were 3.9 ± 0.8 cm and 4.5 ± 0.9 cm, respectively. The mean time interval to TAA diagnosis was 3.7 years. All TAA repairs occurred in males in the aortic root/arch region. Interestingly, those with a TAA had a higher percentage of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) (26.5% vs. 11.9%; P = <0.01; odds ratio [OR] 2.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-5.7). No significant differences between AAA patients with a concomitant TAA and those without a TAA in terms of body mass index, other recorded comorbidities, any recorded AAA parameters, family history of AAA, and smoking status.
Conclusion:
Nearly one in 5 AAA patients undergoing thoracic imaging had a concomitant TAA with PAD potentially identifying a higher-risk subgroup. These data support the creation of guidelines for TAA screening in AAA patients at time of diagnosis.
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