Aortic aneurysm classification

Classification

There are 2 types of aortic aneurysms: thoracic and abdominal. These can be further classified according to the respective part of the vessel that's been affected:

• Thoracic aortic aneurysm, which occur in the thoracic aorta (runs through the chest);
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm, which occur in the abdominal aorta, are the most common.
  • Suprarenal - not as common, often more difficult to repair surgically due to the presence of many aortic branches;
  • Infrarenal - often more easily surgically repaired and more common;
  • Pararenal - aortic aneurysm is infrarenal but affects renal arteries;
  • Juxtarenal - infrarenal aortic aneurysm that affects the aorta just below the renal arteries.

Thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm may also be classified according to Crawford classification into 5 subtypes/groups:

• Type 1: from the origin of left subclavian artery in descending thoracic aorta to the supra-renal abdominal aorta.
• Type 2: from the left subclavian to the aorto-iliac bifurcation.
• Type 3: from distal thoracic aorta to the aorto-iliac bifurcation
• Type 4: limited to abdominal aorta below the diaphragm
• Type 5: from distal thoracic aorta to celiac and superior mesenteric origins, but not the renal arteries.