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The aorta is the main blood vessel in the body, whose branches carry blood from the heart to all of the organs. Aortic disease is characterized by blockages or enlargement of the aorta that can impact blood flow.

The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Aortic Disease Program is unique in the Gulf region for offering a complete array of services, from diagnosis and treatment, to longer term care, for patients with aortic disease.

What We Treat

Many patients with aortic disease are symptom-free. Aortic disease is often discovered during testing for other conditions. However, if a patient has enlargement or narrowing of a blood vessel that affects blood flow, they may experience pain in the affected part of the body.

The most common aortic diseases are:

• Aneurysms of the aorta
• Aneurysms of the branches of the aorta
• Obstruction or narrowing of the aorta

The Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi Aortic Disease Program aims to detect aortic diseases as early as possible in order to help improve the quality of life and life expectancy of the patient.

Diagnosis of Aortic Disease

In order to diagnose aortic disease, physicians use various diagnostic tests, such as:

• Ultrasounds: High-frequency sound waves used to view images of the blood vessels.
• Computed tomography (CT scans): A scan that provides detailed pictures of the inside of the scanned area.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): A scan that uses radio waves and magnets to provide images of the scanned area.

While all of these tests are important, CT scans are the main diagnostic tool. They can provide physicians with insight into the nature of the problem and the extent to which it has progressed.

Treatment of Aortic Disease

Once aortic disease is detected, patients require long-term medical management to ensure the disease does not progress. The multidisciplinary team will determine the best course of treatment. Treatment may consist of surgery, or a minimally invasive procedure to insert a stent.

This multidisciplinary team maintains the patient’s care during the entire treatment process, from admission to discharge, as well as long-term ambulatory care.