Vital Facts on Ascending Aortic Aneurysms -- the Cause of Death of Soccer Sportswriter Grant Wahl, 49

A ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm -- a rare but deadly condition -- was the reported cause of death of American soccer writer Grant Wahl, 49, who collapsed on Dec. 9 while covering the World Cup in Qatar and could not be revived.

Mr. Wahl’s wife, Celine Gounder, M.D., revealed that Mr. Wahl's sudden death was due to the rupture of an undetected ascending aortic aneurysm with hemopericardium. An autopsy was performed by the New York City Medical Examiner's Office.

In a statement, Dr. Gounder said: "No amount of CPR or shocks would have saved him. His death was unrelated to COVID. His death was unrelated to vaccination status. There was nothing nefarious about his death."

Barry T. Katzen, M.D., chief medical innovation officer for Baptist Health, and founder and chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute.

Barry T. Katzen, M.D., chief medical innovation officer for Baptist Health and founder and chief medical executive of Miami Cardiac & Vascular Institute, provides vital information about ascending aortic aneurysms, and associated symptoms and risk factors.

Question: Ascending aortic aneurysms do not always cause symptoms, especially in the early stages and when small in size. But as they grow, what are the common symptoms to look out for?

Dr. Katzen: “Most aortic aneurysms are 'silent' -- not producing symptoms, especially when they are small in size. As a result, they most frequently are discovered when imaging, such as ultrasound, X-rays, CT scans or MRIs, are being done for other reasons. When they enlarge, they can produce symptoms depending on what part of the aorta is affected.

“In the chest, symptoms include chest discomfort or pain in the front or back of the neck -- rarely difficulty swallowing if the aneurysm presses on the esophagus -- and other vague symptoms. The aorta is the largest and longest artery in the body, beginning at the heart and coursing through the chest and abdomen to a level below the umbilicus (belly button).”

Question: What factors can contribute to the development of an ascending aortic aneurysm? Is atherosclerosis the primary or most common risk factor? 

Dr. Katzen: “Ascending aortic aneurysm can be associated with atherosclerosis and aortic valve dysfunction. In some of these patients, symptoms from the valve that is not working well can include chest pain, shortness of breath, fatigue and hypertensions. Ascending aortic aneurysms in younger patients are generally not related to atherosclerosis, but other problems -- including abnormalities in the vessel wall itself, such as seen in Marfan's syndrome.”

Question: What does it mean that the ascending aortic aneurysm was accompanied by hemopericardium? 

Dr. Katzen: “Hemopericardium is blood around the heart which is the result of the rupture of the aorta into the sac around the heart, and other places in the chest as well.”

Question: What's the biggest takeaway for people with any risk factors regarding the tragic death of Grant Wahl and the potential diagnosis of aortic aneurysms?

Dr. Katzen: “This is a rare event in someone this age. It is associated with some connective tissue disorders, such as Marfan's syndrome, and also associated with genetic abnormalities. While Marfan's is the most common of these, it is still rare. But it is associated with men who are tall, frequently with hypertension, and other physical features that physicians can detect during a physical examination.”