ct scans

[kpearse]

I was told a year ago my aortic root was 4.3cm after a ct scan. The Doc said to do one every 6 months. The last showed the root still at 4.3cm, but my asending to be 3.9cm now. I am due for a ct scan but was told my Doc said they will do an echo once a year, a ct scan in 2 or 3 years. My question is, is or does that seem normal? I would think they would want to keep an eye on that? Any feedback would help.:confused2:

 

[mainframe]

It took 8 years for my ascending aorta to go from 4.3 during my first surgery where is wasn't addressed to 4.8 my second when it was addressed. Prior to the second surgery, my cardio had a conversation about my aorta getting bigger. He said it might stay at 4.8 for 10 years, might not.

The local surgeon who my cardio referred me for the severly leaking bovine valve wasn't sure he wanted to replace the ascending aorta because of the complexity of the surgery. I didn't want to have a 3rd down the road so I went to a surgeon/facility that does alot more complex surgeries.

I would think a yearly echo would allow your doctors to monitorr the size of your aorta and I'd feel comfortable if that's what was proposed to me.

 

[OldManEmu]

Each CT scan is subjecting your chest to a significant radiation dose.
There is a growing body of thought in the medical profession that excessive CT scans are not a good thing because of this, and the associated increased risk of cancer in the long term.
Your aorta doesn't appear to be changing rapidly so this is probably an appropriate plan.
I personally wouldn't want it to be more than 2 years between CTs.
Is IV contrast used with your CTs ??