“Aorta on par with heart and brain”: The main artery is classified as an organ “Victory on all fronts”: Research shows how biased the Russian Red Cross is

Medical honor for the main artery: In the future, the aorta will be considered an independent human organ. “Recognition as an organ puts the aorta on a par with the heart, lungs or brain,” says Martin Czerny of the University Hospital Freiburg (D).

“This is a big step.” The new status was therefore established in the guidelines for aortic surgical treatments of the European Society for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the US Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS).

The classification is especially relevant for doctors and clinics: Until now, it was common for aortic diseases to be treated by cardiac surgery or vascular surgery, depending on the type and location.

“The new guidelines clearly recommend bundling aortic care in a separate specialty, of course in close coordination with other departments,” said Czerny, medical director of the Clinic for Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Heart Center. This will improve the treatment of aortic tears and other serious diseases.

The aorta is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body. The great blood vessel – the largest artery in the body – extends from the left ventricle of the heart to the blood vessels in the pelvic area. The aorta also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and the speed of blood flow, as the University Hospital of Freiburg has announced. (rbu/sda/dpa)