Clinical trials determine if a new test or treatment for a disease is effective and safe by comparing groups receiving different tests/treatments. The aorta can be affected by either chronic or acute conditions, with aneurysms and atherosclerosis being the most common chronic conditions, while acute conditions include aortic dissection, aortic ulcer, and aortic hematomas []. 5 cm in diameter, are very common. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. amjcard. Thumb test for aortic aneurysm. Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound is performed to evaluate abdominal structures, including the abdominal aorta. Take the thumb-palm test for aortic aneurysm. They usually grow slowly. This process is called a dissection. Rapid heart rate. I71. Accuracy of the “thumb-palm test” for detection of ascending aortic aneurysm. 4. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. 1. Aortic aneurysms also increase the risk of developing blood clots in the area. Aortic disease can manifest as aortic failure in the form of life-threatening dissection or rupture that is sometimes preceded by aneurysm development 1,2,3 (Fig. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Thoracic aortic aneurysms (TAA) occur in up to 16 patients per 100 000 of the population and are increasingly amenable to surgical correction [1]. Imaging tests can be used to confirm or screen for a thoracic aortic aneurysm. Abdominal ultrasound: An abdominal ultrasound is performed to evaluate abdominal structures, including the abdominal aorta. Most of the aneurysms are caused by atherosclerosis whilst trauma, infection and genetic syndromes are other causes. deaths. The pressure of blood leaving your heart can cause the wall of your aorta to bulge out, like a weak spot in a tire. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a secure, painless procedure that makes use of acoustic waves to take a look at the blood flow through the carotid arteries. A simple thumb test can help indicate whether a person is harboring a hidden aortic aneurysm — which can prove fatal if left undetected and untreated, new re. Diao, Wu, and Manrai from the Informatics Program at Boston Children's Hospital. L. A carotid ultrasound is done to test for tightened carotid arteries, which increase the threat of stroke. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a risk-free, pain free procedure that makes use of sound waves to check out the blood circulation via the carotid arteries. the revised Ghent criteria should be employed as a high pre-test probability of disease confers 66–91% odds of finding an FBN-1 mutation and. Smaller aneurysms under surveillance typically grow by 10% per year. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), abnormal focal dilation of the abdominal aorta, is a life-threatening condition that requires monitoring or treatment depending upon the size of the aneurysm. The prevalence of abdominal aortic aneurysm ("AAA") has been reported to range from 2 to 12% and is found in about 8% of men more. Thumb test aneurysm. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. The test is simple: Holding up one hand and keeping the palm flat, the patient flexes their thumb as far as possible across the palm. . 1. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Difficulty breathing if it pushes on your trachea, or windpipe. John A. Thumb Test to detect Aortic AneurysmA simple thumb test could be used to identify people at risk of a condition that can kill in minutes and has no symptoms. 5%) but high specificity (98. Aim Autophagy plays essential roles in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) development and progression. Methods: This was a retrospective. 08. The causes of aneurysms are sometimes unknown. • An abnormal bulging of the aorta, the largest artery in the body. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. Aortic disease can also. 0 and 5. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Aortic aneurysm describes an aorta that is enlarged in size. This buildup, called atherosclerosis, is among the leading sources of stroke. An aneurysm usually occurs where the wall has become weak and has lost its elastic properties, so it doesn’t return to its normal shape after the blood has passed through. As expected, this test is not sensitive (7. An abdominal aortic aneurysm happens when the main artery that carries blood from the heart to the tummy (the aorta) becomes weakened. Thumb test for aortic aneurysms. Listening to your heart. Aortic aneurysms are permanent, localized dilations of the aorta that exceed the normal aortic diameter by at least 50%. Talk to your primary care provider about whether you should be screened. 1-4. They usually cause no symptoms except when ruptured. Carotid arteries are generally narrowed by a build-up of plaque – comprised of. As the tear extends along the wall of the aorta, blood can flow in between the layers of the blood vessel wall (dissection). The objective of this study was to verify the autophagy-related genes (ARGs) underlying AAA empirically and using bioinformatics analysis. S. Ultrasounds are instrumental in screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms. 2273;. 041. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. According to a Yale News report, aortic aneurysms are the 13 th most common cause of U. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. 1. An AAA is typically defined as aortic enlargement with a diameter of 3. A carotid ultrasound is carried out to examine for narrowed carotid arteries, which boost the threat of stroke. The most common types of an aneurysm is in the aorta. A simple thumb test can reveal if you are at risk of having a deadly heart problem that can kill in minutes. Important advances have been made in the diagnosis and medical and surgical care of affected individuals,. Their hospital-based study population comprised 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 93 patients (30. . Aortic Aneurysm Thumb Test. A thoracic aortic aneurysm is a weakened area in the body's main artery in the chest. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. Blood pressure evaluation. Aortic dissection is a serious condition in which there is a tear in the wall of the major artery carrying blood out of the heart (aorta). Cardinal manifestations include proximal aortic aneurysm, dislocation of the ocular lens, and long-bone overgrowth. These aneurysms are usually asymptomatic until they rupture which is a catastrophic complication. This is due to an embolus (moving blood clot) that is formed by the abdominal aneurysm and affects the surface temperature of. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome [5] The clinical features discussed here are seen in all types of EDS , but their severity may vary and certain symptoms predominate depending on the. Types of Aortic Aneurysms. Yes, you can live with an aortic aneurysm, and there are many ways to prevent dissection (splitting of the blood vessel wall that causes blood to leak) or worse, a rupture (a burst aneurysm). A simple test of the thumb will help determine if someone is suffering from an aortic aneurysm that is hiddenthat could be fatal if not identified and untreated, a new study shows. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. 223. deaths. The thumb test has been recommended as a way of identifying ascending aortic aneurysms, the part of the blood vessel which comes out of the heart upwards. Blood pressure - keep your blood pressure. The thinner it is, the more likely it is to rupture, which is much like an over inflated balloon that is at high risk of popping. Marfan syndrome or Loeys-Dietz syndrome) or with. Ischemic stroke. A CT scan is considered a very safe procedure and generally involves only a small amount of X-ray radiation exposure. The results can aid your physician identify a therapy to decrease your stroke threat. In some people, as they get older, the wall of the aorta in the. A Yale study has found that a self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could help alert thousands of people each year to their risk of having a hidden aortic aneurysm. Hoarseness (if the aneurysm presses on nerves that affect your voice box ). Types of Aortic Aneurysms. be ordered when there is a previous positive genetic test result in the family. Talk to your doctor about whether the benefits of screening would outweigh the risks in your case. Elective surgical repair is indicated in patients with a large abdominal aortic aneurysm. Carotid arteries are generally tightened by a accumulation of plaque – made up of fat, cholesterol. 8cm). The 2024 edition of ICD-10-CM I71. “Only a minority of patients with aneurysms have a positive test. A carotid ultrasound is performed to examine for tightened carotid arteries, which boost the danger of stroke. Screening. An MRI scan: This uilizes very strong. Carotid arteries are generally narrowed by a buildup of plaque – composed of fat,. A simple "thumb palm test" may indicate whether someone has an ascending aortic aneurysm, or a potentially fatal ballooning of a large artery in the heart. 9 is a billable/specific ICD-10-CM code that can be used to indicate a diagnosis for reimbursement purposes. Though occurrence of TAAs is rare, they. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Introduction. Aneurysms usually start small and then get bigger. John A. Lumbar puncture, known as a spinal tap. AAAs can get bigger slowly and silently over many years. THIS simple thumb test can reveal if you’re at risk of a deadly heart problem. . deaths. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) occurs when atherosclerosis or plaque buildup causes the walls of the abdominal aorta to become weak and bulge outward like a balloon. Abdominal aortic aneurysms are the easiest type to identify and follow, Brown says. The outcomes can help your medical professional figure out a treatment to decrease your stroke danger. deaths. In other words, the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive sign have a very high likelihood of harboring an. This treatment is most often used to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The new test could help to identify if a person has an unknown aortic aneurysm- an abnormal bulge that occurs in the wall of the major blood vessel. g. 5 times normal size. Elefteriades, the director of the Aortic Institute at Yale New Haven Hospital, and his colleagues have been using something called the “thumb test” for decades to check whether a patient is likely to develop the condition. Aortic dissection. Aortic Aneurysm. The aorta – the body’s largest artery that is responsible for carrying oxygen-rich blood away. A thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is an abnormal bulge or "ballooning" in the wall of the aortic artery running through the thorax (chest). The correlation between AAA and carotid artery plaque is unknown and a common etiology and pathophysiology is suspected by some authors. The outcomes can aid your doctor establish a therapy to lower your stroke risk. Atherosclerotic aortic wall damage has. The aneurysm can burst completely, causing bleeding inside the body. An aneurysm occurs when part of an artery wall weakens, allowing it to abnormally balloon out or widen. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. In their recent study, Blumel et al1 reported low sensitivity (7. [2] It occurs due to the intrinsic weakness of the aortic wall. Marfan’s syndrome is a systemic disorder of connective tissue caused by mutations in the extracellular matrix protein fibrillin 1. (FBC) test looks for abnormalities in the blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells. Thumb test for aortic aneurysm. 9 may differ. In aortic valve and aortic root replacement (bottom-right image), the aortic valve and a part of the aorta. 5 times its normal size. The most common emergency test for aortic aneurysm involves a computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest, and possibly abdomen and pelvis,. OBJECTIVE. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. Others relate to personal habits. Important advances have been made in the diagnosis and medical and surgical care of. 1 per 1 million people in the United States. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for a variety of disorders: ascending aneurysm. Electrocardiogram (ECG) These tests are almost always done but are not enough to fully identify an aortic aneurysm or dissection (tear). To do the “thumb palm test”, hold up one hand and keep the palm flat. amjcard. Your 2 carotid arteries lie on each side of your neck. A pulsating or throbbing feeling in your stomach area. 6% of the people, depending on the population being studied (1 General reference Abdominal aortic diameter ≥ 3 cm typically constitutes an abdominal aortic aneurysm. An aneurysm is a bulging, weak area in the wall of a blood vessel. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. Aneurysms can develop in several parts of the body, including: The body's main artery, called the aorta (aortic aneurysm). Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. Health (969) Beauty (420) Fitness (797) Diet (284) Golf (1129) Travel (188) Home Decor (140) Latest Posts. Causes of a Numb Thumb or Hand. amjcard. 0 cm or more. It may be used to check for a number of conditions. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. 36 These patients with a positive thumb. Thumb test for aortic aneurysms. Additional symptoms that may accompany an aortic dissection include: Abdominal pain, which can arise if the dissection extends into the abdominal aorta. g. • Involves cardiac surgery, vascular surgery & endovascular surgery, cardiovascular. This review addresses the clinical use of common imaging tests for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) in three clinical situations: screening, surveillance in a patient with an AAA, and evaluation of a symptomatic patient. Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. Elefteriades and others published Reply to the Positive Predictive Value of the Thumb-Palm Test for General Population Screening of Ascending Aortic Aneurysm. 6%) (including CABG, valve repair, and descending aortic aneurysm). The bulge in the aorta happens when part of your blood vessel wall grows weak. The thumb-palm test is. 1). If it crosses beyond the far edge of the flat palm, you may be harbouring a hidden aneurysm. Clinical features and differential diagnosis of aortic dissection: experience with 236 cases (1980 through 1990). L. Wrist or thumb sign — 1. Thumb test for Aortic Aneurysm,help determine if someone is suffering from an aortic aneurysm that is hiddenthat could be fatal Aortic Aneurysm. While generally asymptomatic, progressive aneurysmal dilation is associated with the devastating. We have noted informally that many patients who are referred to our institution with documented thoracic aortic aneurysms can cross their thumb beyond the edge of the flat palm—a positive ‘thumb-palm’ test—even in the absence of other stigmata of Marfan syndrome or other connective tissue diseases. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a risk-free, painless treatment that uses acoustic waves to examine the blood flow through the carotid arteries. . Atherosclerotic aortic wall damage has. In the UK, around 1 in 70 men over 65yrs have an AAA and over 3,000 deaths occur each year. The aorta is the largest artery in the body, transporting freshly oxygenated blood from the heart towards the awaiting cells. This imaging test is simple and painless and shows if you have an AAA. If the aorta bursts, it can cause serious bleeding that can quickly lead to death. Symptoms may include groin pain, syncope, paralysis, and flank mass. Your two carotid arteries lie on each side of your. February 4 108 views. We appreciate the thoughtful analysis of our study by Drs. A self-conducted test involving the thumb & palm of one hand could help. An aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that develops when there is a split in one or more layers of the aortic artery wall, which can be caused by a ruptured aneurysm. An ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, angiogram,. Genetic studies over the past several decades have helped to better elucidate the genomics and inheritance of thoracic aortic diseases. 0 cm, or 1. 123. It can be serious if it's not spotted early on because it could get bigger and. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. A test known as the thumb-palm test, is used to help detect aortic aneurysm. [citation needed] The skeletal and ocular manifestations of Marfan syndrome can also be serious, although not. Occasionally if the aneurysm becomes large, it can cause back pain or a. An ascending aortic root aneurysm procedure may be done in two ways. The thumb-palm test is not a guarantee that you will have an aneurysm, and not all aneurysm patients have stretchy thumbs. Aortic root dilation (with a z score ≥ 2 for adults ages 20 or older or a z score ≥ 3 for patients younger than age 20) Systemic feature scoring table Feature and value. Most of the literature is devoted to the study of the diameter of AAA since it is known that risk of rupture increases exponentially with. If you have an aortic aneurysm, you can live with it and you’d have to do what you could to prevent a split or rupture. In computed tomography, the upper limit for adults of the main PA diameter is 29 mm, and the upper limit of the. 1 Even. thumb test aortic aneurysmcalhoun community college electrician Enero 26, 2022. a Elastica van. Just stick out your hand like you’re telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your pa…Introduction. These aneurysms are also called ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAAs) since they. Wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath as a result of pressure on the trachea (windpipe) Hoarseness as a result of pressure on the vocal cords. have high blood pressure. e. Thumb Test Aortic Aneurysm. 2–5 Established risk factors for AAA include advancing age, male gender, smoking and family history. A negative test does not exclude an aneurysm. deaths. However, in the case of an aortic aneurysm, an often hidden and potentially deadly heart condition, there’s now a simple at-home test that can prevent it from causing any harm. Aortic aneurysm is the second most prevalent aortic disease following atherosclerosis and. Syphilitic Aneurysm – Ascending Arch of Aorta Aneurysm Aortic Valve. Ischemic stroke. 5%) but high specificity (98. Trouble swallowing due to pressure on the esophagus. (3). Occasionally, there may be abdominal, back, or leg pain. 800. The part of the aorta that passes through the chest (thoracic aortic aneurysm). Initially, most children with BAV disease are asymptomatic and. Treatment of dissecting aneurysms of aorta without surgery. 5 cm or greater in diameter. Thumb palm test aneurysm. In other words, the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive sign have a very high likelihood of harboring an ascending aneurysm. The part of the aorta that passes through the belly area (abdominal aortic aneurysm). Categories. The results can aid your physician identify a therapy to decrease your stroke threat. It carries blood from your heart up to your head and arms and down to your abdomen, legs, and pelvis. Yale Experts Explain How to Test Yourself for Aortic Aneurysms With a Thumb Test. However, the symptoms may be vague, and the abdominal mass may be missed. 5–2% of the population worldwide have the possibility to be attacked by this disease, which 75% of them are male (Dargis et al. Ankle Brachial Index Test Aortic Aneurysm. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. Thumb Aneurysm Test. S. Just stick out your hand like you're telling someone to stop, and then see how far your thumb can stretch across your palm. Blood vessels that send blood to the brain (brain. An aneurysm may be located in many areas of the body, such as blood. “Our study showed that the majority of aneurysm patients do not manifest a positive thumb-palm sign, but patients who do have a positive test have a high likelihood of harboring an aneurysm,” What if there were a simple, free test you do with your thumb and hand that could save your life? CBS2's Dr. 5%) for the thumb-palm test in detecting ascending aortic aneurysm. Another aortic disease, which often occurs in the presence of aortic aneurysms, is called aortic dissection. Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is rare in people aged less than 50 years, but prevalence then rises sharply with increasing age. An aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Aortic aneurysm thumb test. Elefteriades says aortic aneurysms are more common than we used to think, and they can happen with no warning. The thoracic aorta consists of the aortic root, ascending aorta, aortic arch, and the descending aorta. Key takeaways: An aneurysm is the outpouching or ballooning out of a blood vessel that occurs when the wall of the blood vessel becomes weak and stretched out. Wrist and thumb sign — 3. In some circumstances, affected individuals can show subtle cysts of the colored portion of the eye (iris floculi) or a visible capillary network below the skin with a honeycomb appearance. It is not known how accurate this test may be. This test uses X-rays to create cross-sectional images of the structures inside the belly area. Dizziness or lightheadedness. Aortic disease or. Some people have no symptoms, but others have facial swelling, hoarseness or a throbbing lump they can feel in their neck. If you have symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm, your health care provider may ask about your family's medical history. That is to say, a positive test implies a substantial likelihood of harboring an ascending aortic aneurysm. Symptoms of a burst aortic aneurysm include: Sudden severe abdominal (tummy) and/or back pain. If discovered. Pressure on a nerve is one of the most common causes of a numb thumb. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. 1The test is checking for connective tissue disease. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. 5 preventive health screenings: Carotid Artery Disease, PAD, AAA, Afib, Osteporosis. The aorta is your body’s largest artery. 0 cm in adult patients). Thumb palm test for aortic aneurysm. , tall stature with. The force of blood pumping can split the layers of the artery wall, allowing blood to leak in between them. Ischemic stroke. Researchers evaluated the self-administered thumb-palm test's accuracy among 305 patients undergoing heart surgery for a number of disorders, including aortic aneurysms. The intrarenal area of the abdomen, just below the kidneys, is one of the most common places to develop an abdominal aneurysm. If the thumb goes beyond the edge of the palm, it is indicative of an aortic aneurysm. 1 Consider cardiopulmonary exercise testing when assessing people for elective repair of an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), if it will assist in shared decision making. Symptoms of a thoracic aortic aneurysm may include chest pain, back pain, neck or jaw pain, coughing, hoarseness, and difficulty breathing. A study has found a self-conducted test involving the thumb and palm of one hand could help alert people to their risk of having a hidden. 4% and 12. An aneurysm may occur in any blood vessel, but is most often seen in an artery rather than a vein. S. Their hospital-based study population comprised 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery, including 93 patients (30. [3][4] There is a broad range of clinical. While the condition may cause discomfort, it typically goes undetected unless it. dilatation at the aortic sinotubular junction. Aortic root dilation (with a z score ≥ 2 for adults ages 20 or older or a z score ≥ 3 for patients younger than age 20) Systemic feature scoring table Feature and value. Stress Test-Related Recommendations for the Timing of Valve Replacement, Diagnostic Evaluation, and Follow-Up in Patients With Asymptomatic, Severe Aortic Stenosis. Possible warning signs include: Pain in your jaw, neck, chest or upper back. An aneurysm is an expansion or bulge of a blood vessel to more than 1. An infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a permanent, localized dilation in the aortic wall defined by a diameter 50% greater than an adjacent, presumably normal aortic segment (≥3. Growing rapidly, about ¼ inch over the last six to 12 months. Thumb palm test for aneurysm. If a large aneurysm ruptures it can cause huge internal bleeding and is. 1 Even when considering just the “sporadic” aneurysms (ie, aneurysms in which there is no evidence of a syndromic, familial, or known genetic etiology), a. The thumb-palm test is not a guarantee that you have an aneurysm, and not all aneurysm patients have stretchy thumbs. Applicable To. Familial aortic aneurysm and/or tear (dissection) in the chest (thoracic) can occur in the absence of other abnormalities throughout the body (nonsyndromic). Thumb Test Aneurysm. 1 The goal of aortic aneurysm repair is to prevent the high morbidity and mortality associated with aneurysm rupture. Aneurysms of the aortic root and ascending aorta are typically diagnosed at younger patient ages than aneurysms of the descending thoracic aorta (60 versus 72 years, respectively). This accumulation, called atherosclerosis, is just one of the leading root causes of stroke. You’re more at risk if you: are male and aged 65 or over. Because the section with the aneurysm is overstretched and weak, it can burst. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a safe, painless treatment that makes use of acoustic waves to check out the blood flow via the carotid arteries. Profuse sweating. An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a bulge in the part of your aorta that runs through your belly. They kill about 10,000 people each year and affect adults of all ages. While most did not produce a positive result, those who did had a greater. A surgeon inserts a thin, flexible tube, called a catheter, through an artery in the groin area and guides it to the aorta. Stretch the thumb as far as possible across the palm. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for a variety of disorders:. This build up, called atherosclerosis, is one of the leading sources of stroke. WATCH: FOX 56 News from 5-9 a. The other is in the abdomen and is called an abdominal aortic aneurysm. The thumb-palm test is. g. If your thumb can stretch beyond the edge of your hand, it is an indicator your joints may be lax, you may have connective tissue disease, and that can be a sign of a. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by. For people with small, asymptomatic aortic aneurysms, doctor may opt to monitor the aneurysm at regular intervals using ultrasound or CT scans. Depending on the gene, aneurysm may occur in the context of a recognizable genetic syndrome (e. Pectus excavatum or chest asymmetry — 1. We conducted the thumb-palm test in 305 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with intra-operative transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) for a variety of disorders: ascending aneurysm in 59 (19. Carotid (kuh-ROT-id) ultrasound is a risk-free, pain free procedure that makes use of sound waves to examine the blood circulation through the carotid arteries. A simple thumb test that you can do from the comfort of your own home can reveal if you're at risk of a deadly heart problem. Introduction: Aortic aneurysm is a life-threatening disease resulted from progressive dilatation of the aorta, which can be subdivided into thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. The remainder of true aneurysms were either congenital or of unknown cause. A simple "thumb palm test" may indicate whether someone has an ascending aortic aneurysm, or a potentially fatal ballooning of a large artery in the heart, researchers say, suggesting the test be. Degradation of the components of the thoracic aortic wall can also occur as part of. It is a simple test you can do right now, and it could save your life. Pain may also be felt in the chest and arms. An aortic aneurysm is a bulging of the wall of the body's main blood vessel due to the weakening of the blood vessel wall. The. deaths. Low blood pressure. doi: 10. The results can help your medical professional identify a treatment to decrease your stroke threat. An angiography: This X-ray image utilizes a special type of dye and takes images of the blood vessels via a particular type of camera. Now Elefteriades wants everyone to know about the simple test — especially anyone with a family history of aortic aneurysm or heart disease. In their recent study, Blumel et al1 reported low sensitivity (7. Aortic Thumb Test. Get screened for a stroke and cardiovascular disease risk near by.