If the disease progresses, syphilitic aortitis leads to an aortic aneurysm. Overall, tertiary syphilis is a rare cause of aortic aneurysms. Syphilitic aortitis has become rare in the developed world with the advent of penicillin treatments after World War II.
If the disease worsens, syphilitic aortitis frequently results in an aortic aneurysm. Tertiary syphilis is infrequently linked to aortic aneurysms. Syphilitic aortitis has become less common in developed areas since penicillin treatments were introduced after World War II.