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Aneurysm  What is a thoracic aortic aneurysm?  The aorta is the
largest artery in your body, and it carries blood away from your
heart to all the parts of your body. The part of your aorta that
runs through your chest is called the thoracic aorta and, when
your aorta reaches your abdomen, it is called the abdominal
aorta. When a weak area of your thoracic aorta expands or
bulges, it is called a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA).
Approximately 25 percent of aortic aneurysms occur in the chest,
and the rest involve the abdominal aorta.   Thoracic aneurysms
affect approximately 15,000 people in the United States each
year. Some patients may have more than one TAA or may also have
an aneurysm in the abdominal aorta. Only about 20 to 30 percent
of patients who get to the hospital with a ruptured TAA survive.
For this reason, it is crucial to treat large aneurysms early,
in order to prevent their rupture.  What are the symptoms?  You
may not feel any symptoms wi