I'm new here, too. As a matter of fact I'm sitting here recovering from an ascending aorta repair performed at Johns Hopkins, March 24. This repair was performed almost 12 years to the day after I had BAV replacement surgey performed. I was fortunate that the St Jude's installed 12 years ago was working fine, so he, Dr. Duke Cameron, spared it.
I am one of the lucky ones whose PCP insisted on monitoring the size of the ascending aorta once information was published that there was a higher correlation between BAV and AAA than was previously realized, at least 12 years ago, or so I was told. That said, when the aorta and root started to dilitate, it did so rather rapidly. Although I was monitoring its size on a regular basis, CT scan showed the ascending aorta to be 6.8 cm at the check up in the beginning of March. Although not chisled in stone, 5.0 to 5.5 cm is considered to be the maximum size at which the aorta should be repaired.
Although it's my understanding that for just BAV replacement there is almost always a somewhat leisurely pace in scheduling the surgery, the same can't be said for aneurysms. As I've learned here, you gotta get over the mountain pretty quickly. In most instances beta blockers and blood pressure lowering medicine is administered. The concern is that elevated blood pressure precipitates dissection. In your post there is no indication of the size. If it's 3.5 cm, which is considered dilitation in an average sized person, there's probably little risk.
I've been reading posts here for several days now, and wish I had found this site sooner. Not only is the site informative, but the empathy shared is just great.
Finally, I've been reluctant to post because I'm still suffering from the pump and the meds, so I know you will forgive me for the typos and incoherent parts of this post.
Thanks,
Thom, because Tom had already been taken,
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