Congratulations, aorta, you're officially an organ!

A computer visualisation of the aorta, formerly regarded as part of the cardiovascular system, but now recognised in the EU and the US as an organ on its own. — dpa

The aorta – the body’s main artery – is being given a special honour of the medical world: recognition as an independent human organ.

”This is a big step,” says Germany's Freiburg University Hospital Cardiovascular Surgery department medical director Professor Dr Martin Czerny.

“Recognising the aorta as an organ puts it on a par with the heart, lungs and brain.”

The new organ status is valid in countries of the European Union, as well as in the United States, after it was defined in the guidelines for aortic surgery treatments of the European Association for Cardiothoracic Surgery (EACTS) and the US Society of Thoracic Surgeons (STS), published last month (February 2024).

For patients, it makes a difference because the clinical process is now likely to be different – and, it is hoped, more optimised – for many seeking treatment with aortic diseases.

Until now, it was common for aortic diseases to be treated either in cardiac surgery or in vascular surgery, depending on their type and location.

”The new guidelines clearly recommend bundling the treatment of the aorta into a separate speciality, of course, in close coordination with other specialities,” explains Dr Czerny, who is one of the authors of the new guidelines.

This development will improve the treatment of aortic ruptures and other serious diseases, says the cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon.

The aorta is responsible for transporting oxygen-rich blood from the heart into the body.

This large blood vessel – the largest artery in the body – extends from the left ventricle of the heart to blood vessels in the pelvic area.

The aorta also plays an important role in regulating blood pressure and blood flow velocity. – dpa