Surgery on the aorta

Aortic aneurysm

The aorta is the main artery leaving the heart. Its first part, the aortic root and ascending aorta, can gradually enlarge (an aneurysm), often without symptoms. It is usually found on a scan done for another reason and monitored with regular scans. When it reaches a size at which the risk of tearing or bursting outweighs the risk of surgery, a planned operation replaces the enlarged section with a fabric tube graft. The aortic valve may be repaired, replaced or preserved at the same time, depending on its condition. The size at which surgery is advised depends on your height, family history and conditions such as Marfan syndrome or a bicuspid aortic valve.

Acute aortic dissection

An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner lining of the aorta. Type A dissection, involving the ascending aorta, is a life-threatening emergency that usually needs immediate surgery. Typical symptoms are a sudden, severe chest or back pain, often described as tearing, sometimes with collapse, stroke-like symptoms or a cold limb.

If you have sudden severe chest or back pain, call 999 immediately.

After the operation

After planned surgery, recovery is similar to other heart operations. After emergency surgery for dissection, recovery is often longer, and lifelong blood-pressure control and regular scans of the rest of the aorta are needed.

This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinical team, who will explain the plan and risks for you individually. Last reviewed November 2026.