Aortic root surgery is a treatment for an enlarged section of the aorta, also called an aortic aneurysm. The aorta is the large blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the body. The aortic root is where the aorta and the heart connect.

Aortic aneurysms near the aortic root may be due to an inherited condition called Marfan syndrome. Other causes include heart conditions present at birth, such as an irregular valve between the heart and aorta.

Aortic root surgery can prolong the life of people with aortic aneurysms. In hospitals with experienced surgical teams, the survival rate five years after surgery is around 90%. Survival rates are lower for people who have the surgery after an aortic dissection or aortic rupture or who need a repeat surgery.

The risks of aortic root surgery are generally high compared with other nonemergency surgery. Risks include:

• Bleeding that needs additional surgery.
• Aortic regurgitation.
• Death.

The risks are higher when aortic root surgery is done as an emergency treatment for aortic dissection or aortic rupture.

Aortic root surgery is done when the likely preventive benefits outweigh the risks of surgery.

Tests are done to determine your risk of aortic dissection or aortic rupture. Important factors include:

• Size of the aortic root.
• Rate of increase in size.
• Condition of the valve between the heart and aorta.
• General health of the heart.

The results of these tests are used to decide whether you should have surgery, when you have it and what type of surgery should be done.