Aortic Aneurysm

[sandy]

Aortic Aneurysm

For those of you who have had an Aortic Aneurysm my question is , what size was the Aneurysm when the DR's did your surgery? I have been living for Two years with an Aneurysm on my Ascending Aort. The first and 2nd MRI showed it being 4.8. The next MRI six mo later measured 5.0, six mo later they say it is now 4.5. My next question is did the measurements of you Aneurysm change with each MRI. I do understand it is difficult to measure a cm being that it is the size of a finger nail. I do realize everyone has a different story to their CHF , I am just looking for a general idea of others History, as we all know most of our medical problems can not be looked up in the Library. Thank You All

 

[fyrfytr]

Hi Sandy,
Welcome to this Great Site. You will find a lot of caring people here. It is a Wonderful Place.

When they found my Aortic Aneurysm it was 6cm and 10 days later I had surgery. Mine was found when they did a heart catheterization to check my aortic valve.

Again Welcome!

Take Care

 

[Ross]

The thoughts on it now are, if it's at 5 there is no need to wait any longer. 5 poises a significant risk of rupture.

I'm sure they could get different measurements at different times, but whether it's 4.5 or 5 it doesn't matter, your still in danger.

As for the measurement of mine, who knows, it blew!

 

[Tom F.]

When mine was found it measured 5.0cm. This was in the fall of 2002. At that time both my cardiologist and surgeon said that surgery was not needed immediately, but I was strongly encouragd to have it done within six months, which I did. I do not have Marfans, but from what I have read, if someone does have Marfans the guidelines for surgery say that surgery should be done at 4.5 cm because with Marfans there is a greater risk of rupture beyond that size. I would add that in my case my heart was fine, and I had only moderate aortic regurgitation. Still, I was ordered out of the gym until surgery, and generally told not to lift anything heavy or strain in any way.

 

[Gail in Ca]

Mine was at 6 when it was discovered. I had surgery a few weeks later , as the surgeon wanted to line up the support people on the day he wanted at Stanford.
My sister read an article that said the number for women should be lower than previously thought. I can't remember what that number was.
I know that at 6, my aorta fell apart in the surgeons hands, it was ready to dissect at any time! I was very lucky.
Gail

 

[Ross]

Taken from the Cleveland Clinic Heart Forums:

aneurysms are considered worrisome (at risk for rupture, which in most cases means death) at anything greater than 5.0cm, so the decision to go for it (surgery) at 5.0, 5.5, or 6.0 is an involved one made by the patient after a thorough discussion with his/her surgeon regarding risks and benefits of going now versus waiting.
3)Basically, the risk of rupture goes up with every incremental dilation above 5cm, so technically there is no "average", rather we know from "statistics" that the risk is high enough in the >5cm range that it is time to seriously consider surgery as the risk to life by surgery is outweighed by the risk of rupture without surgery.

 

[Susan BAV]

About twenty years ago one cardiologist said he saw an aneurysm from my echo but no one else ever saw one in all the echos I had after that. That was a bit over a year after I'd had my second child. Late last summer, the first surgeon I saw said my aorta was at 4.1 and would need replaced along with the aortic (bicuspid) valve. The surgeon who eventually did my valve replacement did not think the aorta needed replaced but they did a pathology study of a piece they took out during the AVR and found it "thin," I think was the word he said. I hope it's okay. I don't feel real well when I lift things so I'm trying not to lift anything heavy, although my cardiologist said I had no restrictions that way. The echo techs, over the years, told me that aneurysms could come and go.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Just for reference,

1 cm = 0.4 inches

2.5 cm = 1 inch

5.0 cm = 2 inches

'AL' (yes, I am an Engineer

 

[Stitch]

Sandy,

I had a 6.3cm aneurysm in my arota that my local doctor did not think was that bad. I did not really know it could be trouble until I sent a cath and echo to Dr. Elkins in OKC. He was concerned! I would get another opinion, everything I have heard since says 5cm is dangerous.

 

[AJBU]

enlarged aorta

enlarged aorta

My son's (age 18) was only at 4.1 when he underwent Ross Procedure. Since he was VERY active we didn't want to risk having it burst. Good thing we did, when they went in, they found it was worse than they thought and was enlarged into the aortic arch up to the branch.

 

[Ross]

My son's (age 18) was only at 4.1 when he underwent Ross Procedure. Since he was VERY active we didn't want to risk having it burst. Good thing we did, when they went in, they found it was worse than they thought and was enlarged into the aortic arch up to the branch.

Your case is a prime example of why I set off the sirens when someone says that their Doctor just wants to watch it for now. Mine was relatively the same size and it burst with no warning. These Docs are playing with danger!

 

[KathyH]

My aneurysm was 4.7 and I had severe aortic reguritation. Dr repaired it when he did the valve.
Kathy H.

 

[skimomck]

Same with our son. They thought it was around 4, but when they did the Ross they said it was over 4.5 and due to his very active lifestyle said we were very lucky it was taken care of. They replaced his aorta up to the branch. (I haven't been around for a couple months but I'm haooy I am back)

 

[catwoman]

Cindy:

Good to see you back! I ran across your name when doing a search yesterday and wondered how you & your son are doing.

 

[Karlynn]

Hi Cindy,
Good to see you back. How is it going with your nest 2/3's empty? We'll be up in your neck of the wood in a few weeks to see our daughter.

 

[skimomck]

Thanks,
I am happy to be back. Teddy is back at school and seems to be doing well. We have an echo and appt. planned for Christmas break with our new Cardio. He hasn't been able to get a flu shot but other than that no problems. It is quiet around here but we are keeping quite busy finding the right college for our younger son Paul and doing applications. Big game this weekend between State and U of M. Have fun seeing your daughter.
Cindy

 

[Granbonny]

Mine was a 5..Found on a thursday. surgery the following Monday..Brother-in-law died stting up in bed reading a magazine. His burst. did not know he had one. Age 50..Bonnie

 

[KimC]

Hi,

I'm curious, not worried but curious ... my PCP and cardio said that the disease process in aortic sclerosis is similar to atherosclerosis, i.e., calcification, stiffening of the arteries, etc., plus similar risks of complications.

He referred to it as a tissue disease, and in my case it's my weird (four-leaflet) aortic valve and the small vessels branching off the coronary arteries. He said that the disease could even effect the aorta but we wouldn't know until autopsy. (Isn't that comforting?) I'm not sure what he meant by that.

Is a cath the only way to diagnosis an aortic aneurysm? Is it standard to look for an AA during an angio?

Help anyone?

Thanks and happy Halloween!

 

[KathyH]

Hi, Aortic aneurysms are sometimes found on echos, found mine on TEE and then had CT scan to more accurately measure it. MRI's are done in place of CT scans by some Dr.
Kathy H

 

[skimomck]

Great point about not finding the aneurysms on the Echo. They didn't know Teddy had one until they did the TEE right before his surgery. The scary thing is how many have them and don't realize it like Bonnie's brother-in-law.
Cindy