BEST NEWS OF MY LIFE :))))))

[DaveLee]

A few years ago I was told I had 2-5 years to live because an aortic aneurism that was growing fast and they would NOT try to fix it

A few weeks ago I had my yearly ECHO test.
results:
"compared to prior study from jan 2022 there is NO change in the size of ascending aorta."

 

[pellicle]

Dave

while I'm really happy for you rather confused by they they would not try to fix it.

I hope there is some mitigating circumstances in there that don't make your medical team out to be as bad as I'm suspecting them to be.

Life is good, enjoy it

 

[vitdoc]

The usual criteria for surgery is the size of the aneurysm. What is yours? And why where you told that you should not have surgery?

 

[ATHENS1964]

I don't understand something, the ascending aorta together with the aortic arch can be replaced for you, what happens where the aneurysm is? it would be a good idea to see another medical team.

 

[DaveLee]

The usual criteria for surgery is the size of the aneurysm. What is yours? And why where you told that you should not have surgery?

The size now is 4.4 cm with NO change in the past year.
The question was ask with no answer given, he left the room.

 

[Protimenow]

I hate to throw a damper on things (but I will).

Doesn't 'no change' just mean that it hasn't gotten any worse? This might mean that the prognosis has been spread out longer.

Have you checked with other specialists or hospitals that have specialty departments that take on tough cardiac cases to see if THEY may be able to help you? I don't know where you're located, but there are many centers that probably routinely perform procedures that your local hospitals wouldn't even consider doing.

 

[DaveLee]

Good question The cardiologist I have now is up on the new procedures, its his speciality. Oh also 72 years young.

 

[tom in MO]

A few years ago I was told I had 2-5 years to live because an aortic aneurism that was growing fast and they would NOT try to fix it

A few weeks ago I had my yearly ECHO test.
results:
"compared to prior study from jan 2022 there is NO change in the size of ascending aorta."

Congratulations. You've passed the expiration date...again

You're not the only person to have an aneurism that was as risky to repair as it was to live with, but it's uncommon these days.

 

[70sdiver]

I think Id be calling the Cleveland clinic for a second opinion

 

[csigabiga]

I think Id be calling the Cleveland clinic for a second opinion

This

 

[Rebecca]

I have a aneurysm and I get echo to watch my tissue valve and chest scan with contrast to measure size of aneurysm. Last year measurement was 4.7.

 

[Chuck C]

Great news that it has not grown in the past 12 months!

The size now is 4.4 cm with NO change in the past year.
The question was ask with no answer given, he left the room.

That is a very big concern. You asked him why he did not consider it operable and he just left the room?

Aortic aneurisms are usually reparable. I hope that he is not of the opinion that at age 72 you are too old to operate on.

Time for a second opinion. I would suggest getting an opinion from one of the top ranked clinics in the nation which does high volume and sees all kinds of situations. Perhaps he has a legitimate reason to believe it is not repairable, but the fact that he did not feel that he even needed to explain to you why is a huge red flag.

 

[erricojj]

A good explanation of the risk/benefit considerations by a Cleveland Clinic surgeon.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm: When to have surgery

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi There,
Congratulations on a year of stability.
I had an ascending dissection and aneurysm. Cleveland Clinic repaired it.
I would strongly suggest you to seek out another opinion. Just think,
If they repair it, you wont have to worry anymore from year to year.
Cleveland Clinic has seen almost every possible type of heart issue, and they know their job well.

Best of luck, and again congrats on your results this year.
Rob

 

[Croooser]

CC fixed mine along with my AVR at age 71.

 

[DaveLee]

A good explanation of the risk/benefit considerations by a Cleveland Clinic surgeon.

Ascending Aortic Aneurysm: When to have surgery

Thanks for the link

 

[DaveLee]

A few more things to add. I also have a St Jude metal heart valve and pace maker. the conclusion that I can to was he was tired of telling people this kind of bad news, he retired the next week. Its got to destroy your soul
The good thing is I am still here and feeling great at 72

 

[thomas999]

I think Id be calling the Cleveland clinic for a second opinion

The way I understand this is that you still have a problem, but it hasn't got any worse. Maybe you have been very careful in your activities to get to this point, but as has been mentioned, I would definitely get a second opinion. I am wondering what type of activity you may get involved in that might cause the aneurysm to grow? A place like the CC would be a great place for a 2nd op. Now this doesn't have much relationship to your story, but I had a friend at work who was scheduled for surgery at the Cleveland Clinic the next month, but his aneurysm failed him mid-month prior and he died. His aneurysm was in his abdominal area, advanced, he smoked, and was up in age a bit, and never really took care of himself that well.

 

[Maggie]

A few years ago I was told I had 2-5 years to live because an aortic aneurism that was growing fast and they would NOT try to fix it

A few weeks ago I had my yearly ECHO test.
results:
"compared to prior study from jan 2022 there is NO change in the size of ascending aorta."

 

[Maggie]

Hello David,

I was told by my surgeon at Johns Hopkins Baltimore, MD that surgery is not done until you reach 5 cm or larger because risks of surgery out way risk of dissection until that point, I am at 4.8, was 4.3 when they found it 14 years ago