Aortitis By Mark A Farber, MD, FACS, University of North Carolina; Federico E Parodi, MD, University of North Carolina School of Medicine Reviewed / Revised Jun 2022 | Modified Sep 2022 View Patient Education Topic Resources Branches of Ascending Thoracic... Ascending Aorta in Patient... Aortitis is inflammation of the aorta, sometimes causing aneurysm or occlusion.