Enlarged aorta

[Rich]

I had an abdominal ultrasound last week.
Most everything is OK but I do have a very slight enlargement of the aorta.
I know there are quite a few out there who have faced this problem.
I will see my cardiologist again next month, but in the meantime I would like to ask for any advice.
Such as how often to get it re-checked, and did anyone have any resrictions put on them.
I have lost two good friends to aneurysms, and though I miss them I'm not quite ready to join them.
Thanks,
Rich

 

[Ross]

No sense doing or saying anything until you have the report in hand and can give us some numbers.

 

[PJmomrunner]

Since you had an abdominal ultrasound, the enlargement must be in your descending aorta, which means they don't operate until it becomes quite a bit more enlarged than an ascending aorta would be allowed to get. If it's only slightly enlarged, that could be a while. I guess your cardiologist will give you more info, but then again, I'm not sure descending aortic aneurysms are their department. I do know that vascular surgeons are the ones who fix them, as opposed to cardiothoracic who fix the ascending ones.

 

[Tony]

Hi Rich,

I also had an abdominal ultrasound last week. That was followed by a catscan, CTA.
The catscan reading came in today and it said that I do not have an abdominal aortic aneurysm.

My doctor believes men over 65 should be checked for an abdominal aortic aneurysm every year.

In 2003 he checked my brother and sent him directly to the hospital (St John-Macomb, 12 Mile & Hoover) from the doctors office. They replaced the the aneurysm portion with a dacron tube two days later. The surgery was done by Dr. Khan, a vascular surgeon.

By the way, my catscan report recommended a more detailed look at my kidneys.
There is always something!

 

[Sherry]

Hi, Rich. I'll be anxious to hear what you find out next month. Please keep us posted, friend.

 

[goetzco]

Every 6 months...

Every 6 months...

Hey Rich,

I was diagnosed in January 2005 with a heart mumur. First I ever heard of it. Doctor found it during routine exam. I went through several rounds of testing and they also found I had a aneurysm at the aortic root. The root was replaced in May with no complications. My cardiologist and surgeon both recommended I be checked every 6 months. I don't know if that is the general rule of thumb, but I have two great doctors so I am going to take their advice. It certainly can't hurt. While I was in the hospital last week getting the aortic vavle replaced my cousin died as a result of an abdominal aneurysm rupture. Not trying to scare you, I just think it is worth a close watch. May father had one at age 74 which measured 5.0 and was leaking. My cousins was 8.0, so I follow the rule that all of us have a different body make-up, and anything is possible. Best of luck to you!