Aortic aneursym

[Tan52]

I have an aortic valve implant, a pacemaker for an AV block and an ascending aortic aneurysm .  The aneurysm has been watched yearly. It has stayed at 4.8 for many yrs but this yr after Ct scan I was told it is now 5.0. My dr said we will continue to watch it.  Should I get another opinion or be thinking of surgery.  I have low BP and am 60 yr old female 135 lbs and 5'5"

[skydnsr]

So happy to hear the good report.  Thanks for letting us know.  Here's hoping the rest of your recovery goes smoothly.  Feel free to post again anytime.

[pisces46]

Well, I have had my ascending aortic aneurysm repaired plus a single coronary by pass at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. Convalescing at one of my children's home in Alexandria.  See my surgeon this coming week for my first post op appointment. The surgery went fine; my digestive system decided to act up so I spent almost an additional week in the hospital with a tube in my stomach & nothing by mouth. Not unexpected for me as I have had several small bowel obstructions since my first belly surgery in the mid 1980s. I am on the mend & so glad this is done.
Do seek a second opinion  or a medical consultation at a large medical center, medical school affiliated , that is ranked high in cardiovascular surgery. The surgical guidelines are not laws & I am so thankful that my surgeon at JHMI decided to offer me the surgery now. I do not what influenced his decision but I do intend on asking for my own FYI.
Life is good & I am looking forward to returning home as soon as I am good to travel.

[skydnsr]

Will be thinking about you, and please be aware it helps the community if you let us know what happens.

[Tan52]

Thanks so much for your input

[pisces46]

I concur with skydnsr, completely. I am a 67 yr old male with an ascending aortic aneurysm, 5.0 cm, discovered 7 months ago. I traveled to a large regional medical center/school near one of my children and to my surprise they have agreed to repair my aneurysm now. I am not sure what influenced the surgeon or others in the cardiac surgery dept. to do this electively, preemptively, now. Possibly my anxiety, worry, about carrying  this aneurysm further into my senior years or I am also concerned about being in the wrong place if/when this aneurysm dissects. Emergency surgeries, of any kind, have much poorer outcomes. This type of aneurysm you want to have done on a planned basis, if at all possible.  A consultation/referral to a high caliber center should be of great benefit to you whether they do it now or some time in the future on a schduled surgery. I will be having my surgery in a few weeks.  I hope this has been helpful.

[Tan52]

Thanks so much

[skydnsr]

I just looked at your profile and saw that you are in Michgan.  There is a very well reputed aortic center at U. Mich. in Ann Arbor.  Here is a link, if medhelp lets me post it.  http://med.umich.edu/cardiac-surgery/patient/adult/amc.shtml  I have an online friend who is being followed by Dr. Deeb, who is an expert aortic surgeon there.  Dr. Deeb does do research and teaching on aortic surgery, so he is the kind of doctor you are looking for.  

[skydnsr]

As someone about your size with a similar medical history, I would advise you to get a second opinion from a surgeon who has particular expertise in thoracic aortic aneurysms.  For patients with previous aortic issues, the size criterion for aneursym repair is often smaller (often as low as 4.5cm) than for those with no other aortic disease.   I would look for a thoracic aortic center.  The existing thoracic aortic centers are generally associated with medical schools and national-caliber heart centers.  If at all possible, look for some who has taught and published on thoracic aortic aneursyms.  It that is not possible, look for a surgeon with as much experience as possible in doing thoracic aortic aneursym repairs.  Specific experience in thoracic aortic aneurysm repair, and not just thoracic surgery or heart surgery in general, is very important. Good luck.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi!
Usually a size of 6m or more is treated by surgery. If symptoms appear earlier, then surgery may be contemplated earlier. Thoracic aortic aneurysm presents with chest and upper back pain, increased heart rate, nausea, vomiting, and cold and clammy skin. If it is a big aneurysm, it can press on nearby structures causing hoarseness of voice, neck swelling, difficulty in swallowing and breathing. Since there was an increase in size, maybe you will be monitored more closely now. Discuss this with your doctor. Take care!

The medical advice given should not be considered a substitute for medical care provided by a doctor who can examine you. The advice may not be completely correct for you as the doctor cannot examine you and does not know your complete medical history. Hence this reply to your post should only be considered as a guiding line and you must consult your doctor at the earliest for your medical problem.