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Recognizing aortic aneurysms — early screening saves lives

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December 13, 2025

Since 2024, the aorta has been defined as an organ rather than simply another blood vessel. A screening study run by surgeon Nora Göbel is aimed at saving lives by uncovering aneurysms at an earlier stage.

Heart surgeon Nora Göbel operates on the aorta, the largest blood vessel in the body, which has been considered an organ since 2024. Aneurysms in it must be detected early, as a rupture usually ends fatally. Göbel heads the Aorta Center at the Robert Bosch Hospital in Stuttgart. Women are at higher risk of misdiagnosis and demonstrably benefit from female surgeons.

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