Growing aneurysm

[tobagotwo]

I just have a hard time with the notion that a stress echo, even chemical (usually dobutamine) would be all that safe on someone with an aneurysm that was measured at 4.8 on a static echo. As Ross pointed out, aneurysms are not best measured by echo, and may be larger than the echo shows.

I don't want to give you a fear that it will cause a problem, but it's not impossible. I would want to know exactly why it was so necessary if it were my aneurysm. If it's to gauge cardiac readiness for surgery, I'm not sure I see the point. Other than surgery, there is no long-term treatment for large, expanding aneurysms, regardless of the heart's exercise capacity.

In women, it's now being determined that cardiac blockage leading to heart attacks may often come from the blockage of small arteries, rather than the large artery blockages usually noted in men. Small artery blockage can cause many of the same chest pain or angina symptoms, but isn't readily identified by the most common diagnostic means. MRA can do a good job of locating that type of issue.

You need to do what you feel is right. Certainly your doctor knows more about your heart issues than we can guess from a chair sitting in front of a PC. But it doesn't mean that you can't ask why, and then judge for yourself.

Best wishes,

 

[Granbonny]

Annie

Annie

Even tho..I said..I had no symptoms..before my surgery..I do remember 3 times of sharp pain..maybe 6 months before...2 times when I reached out to clean windows..Had to reach out really hard and another was driving down to meet family for a Xmas lunch.Running late.(stress?).....The pain came on so hard.Scared me..but after a few minutes passed...Have you reached out hard with your arm to clean windows?Not like heartburn..just sharp pain.Never had it after surgery..maybe we can figure out some symptoms for these aneurysm's ..Bonnie

 

[MrP]

Tobagotwo, I believe she said both measurements (4.5cm and 4.8cm) were measured by CT scan. Don't know if the CT scan was 16, 32, or a more accurate 64 slice machine.
Annie10, my guess is you are on beta blocker...correct? Stress may indeed be a variable, but hey, anxiety is perfectly normal for someone walking around with an aortic aneurysm. Are the cardio/surgeon waiting for the aneurysm to reach the 5.0cm threshold? Possibly. My concern is the sharp chest pain you experience....not the chest pain associated with positional changes. Even at the Cleveland Clinic, a second and third opinion will be helpful.
All my best,
MrP