Ascending Aortic Aneurysm Worry!

[terryfoss]

I'm a 36 yr old man with a prosthetic aortic valve that was replaced in 1987. I was just diagnosed in May with a moderate ascending aortic aneurysm. It is currently at 5.0 x 5.1cm. I get scared it's going burst before my appointment at the Mayo Clinic in 2 weeks(I'm hoping they just replace it while I'm there). My cardiologist said there's no dissection. So that's good right?
Are there any feelings/symptoms I should watch out for?
I'm glad I found this site! Any encouragement or insight would be helpful.

Mark 4:40 "Why are you afraid, do you still have no faith?"

 

[Superbob]

No dissection is indeed very good because dissection is or can be a catastrophic event. If you have an appointment at Mayo in just two weeks you should be fine but if you have any disturbing symptoms get in touch with your doctors right away.

 

[Philip B]

Worried?

Worried?

Yeah, aortic aneuryisms are a worry. Mine was 5.8 cm when it was fixed. Others have had their's dissect before they reached that size. An anueryism isn't anything to mess with... best get it fixed.

Your terminology is correct. Basically, the anueryism either blows or tissue within the artery starts to come apart from the inside.

Getting a date on my surgeon's calendar required waiting a couple of weeks. He was booked, had a week off scheduled, and I was worried. I ended-up in Mexico playing golf the week before my surgery.

If your cardiologist has you scheduled to get it fixed in a couple of weeks, he probably doesn't feel waiting will place you at significant risk. How much do you trust him? Have you had a conversation with your cardiologist about your concens? If not, it might be a good idea to visit with him.

Many of us encountered the aortic aneuryism thing because we were born with congential problems with our aortic valves. What kind of shape is your aortic valve in? If it's a bicuspid valve, it may be a good idea to have it replaced when your aneuryism gets fixed... just as well fix everything during one trip into your chest.

-Philip

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm surprised your Doctor did not advise you to refrain from Any Heavy Lifting / Pushing / Pulling before your appointment at Mayo Clinic. Actually, the best thing is to avoid any strenuous exercise or stressful situations while you wait. Leisurely walking is encouraged.

Dr. Sundt at the Mayo Clinic seems to be the Top Aorta Surgeon in Minnesota. He did the surgery on our member "MNmom". He was trained by Dr. Kouchowkos (sp?) who is a renouned Aorta Specialist (in MO). You may want to review MNmom's posts / threads to check out her story. (I just checked the Member List and do not see MNmom listed any longer)

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Ross]

I survived a dissection. Mine ruptured at around 4.7cm. I should not have survived. I can guarantee you don't want to go there.

Don't do any heavy lifting, avoid bending over or placing additional stress pressure on your heart until this gets fixed. The magic number for surgery is 5, but some of these idiots are letting people walk around at 6 and above. In my opinion, they are risking the persons life unnecessarily. This is what killed John Ritter and a few others, so it's not to be taken lightly at all. I know have a 3.6cm in my abdominal aorta and I'm not the least bit happy because, here I sit, waiting for that darn number 5 before they'll intervene. It's like a friggin time bomb waiting to go off and I want it fixed NOW.

 

[traveler]

5 cm is a concern but not critical. Be careful about lifting, take your meds, and read up about the surgery (it will give you something to do).

I was at 5 cm and did just fine. I went Mayo and they were excellent. Pleasant, patient, and willing to work with my concerns. You are in good hands.

 

[Ross]

5cm is considered a greater risk of rupture, then a greater risk of surgery to repair it.

 

[Maryka]

Some people can walk around with a HUGE aneurysm w/o knowing about it. Athlete Flo Hyman died of an aortic aneurysm and when her family was tested, as I remember it, one of her siblings was walking around w/ a 9.0 cm aneurysm (which, of course, was quickly repaired). No one can predict when your aneurysm would dissect, but do all the things that Ross and others have suggested here. Beta blockers also can slow the growth of the aneurysm for awhile.

 

[Lynlw]

I'm a 36 yr old man with a prosthetic aortic valve that was replaced in 1987. I was just diagnosed in May with a moderate ascending aortic aneurysm. It is currently at 5.0 x 5.1cm. I get scared it's going burst before my appointment at the Mayo Clinic in 2 weeks(I'm hoping they just replace it while I'm there). My cardiologist said there's no dissection. So that's good right?
Are there any feelings/symptoms I should watch out for?
I'm glad I found this site! Any encouragement or insight would be helpful.

Mark 4:40 "Why are you afraid, do you still have no faith?"

Since you are 36 and had your valve replaced in 87, I'm guessing you have been followed by Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) doctors? Mayo is a great hospital and their adult with chd doctors are some of the best. They also have alot of experience with REDOs