Aa
Enlarged Aortic Root
I have an enlarged aortic root at 4.1 cm according to a recent echo. It was 3.8 cm 6 months ago, and had been 3.8 cm for the previous few years. I'm 40 and 6-6. Since the upper level of normal is 3.7, what is the upper level of normal for someone who is 6-6 and 205? I've searched the web for an adjusted normal range for age and size but can't find one. I did find that there aren't many guidelines - http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/409108_4
"However, none described sex-specific or race-specific reference limits. Although most laboratories reported occasionally altering their interpretation of abnormal values when the individual scanned was very tall (or short) or very obese, only 5 of 29 laboratories routinely indexed their measurements; these 5 laboratories indexed by body surface area. Despite the routine use of the terms "mild," "moderate," and "severe" to describe the degree of abnormality of cardiac structures, with rare exceptions, the responding echocardiography laboratories admitted a lack of standardized guidelines."
My cholesterol is ok but I've had high blood pressure for 20 years from polycystic kidney disease (my kidney function is at 14% and I'll need a transplant in 1.5 years at this rate - worried that the increased aortic root might be from pressure from kidneys - or maybe the tech was right that 4.1 isn't bad for my size). I don't have Marfan's specifically but do have double jointedness as well as a pectus excavatum. Comments? I plan to get another appointment when I get better health insurance. Thanks.
"However, none described sex-specific or race-specific reference limits. Although most laboratories reported occasionally altering their interpretation of abnormal values when the individual scanned was very tall (or short) or very obese, only 5 of 29 laboratories routinely indexed their measurements; these 5 laboratories indexed by body surface area. Despite the routine use of the terms "mild," "moderate," and "severe" to describe the degree of abnormality of cardiac structures, with rare exceptions, the responding echocardiography laboratories admitted a lack of standardized guidelines."
My cholesterol is ok but I've had high blood pressure for 20 years from polycystic kidney disease (my kidney function is at 14% and I'll need a transplant in 1.5 years at this rate - worried that the increased aortic root might be from pressure from kidneys - or maybe the tech was right that 4.1 isn't bad for my size). I don't have Marfan's specifically but do have double jointedness as well as a pectus excavatum. Comments? I plan to get another appointment when I get better health insurance. Thanks.
oops, the website is www.marfanlife.net/bb3.
Read about ARBs and ACEis, drugs that have stopped and reversed aortic root dilatation in connective tissue disorder patients, at www.marfanlife.org/bb3. I believe that these drugs may not be good for people with kidney problems, though, so double check that.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There is not much data relating the size of the aortic root to body surface area but 4.1 is likely somewhat enlarged even for your size. The most likely cause is the high blood pressure and the best treatment is good control of the the blood pressure.
You are reading content posted in the Interventional Cardiology Forum
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
