Possible Aorta Disection

[HarryG]

This forum has answered many questions that I have had, but like so many I have more.

I am a 53 year old male, with some heart issues, angioplasty 1995 and four other cath's since, with no issues, recently had chest pains with nausea and dizziness, after consulting with my GP, he recommended and echo and thalium stress test conducted, my echo results came back with Aortic Root dilation of somewhere between 4.6cm and 4.9cm with a possible disection, I also have a bicuspid valve.

I have future tests of a CT and cardiac cath., the CT hopefully will show what's up with the disection of the Aorta if any. Of course the cath. will show if there is any new blockage in my arteries.

My question if anyone has a slight lead it would be great, if in fact there is disection which is picked up on the CT is surgery for replacement of the Aorta and the bicuspid valve the only means of survival.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Harry,

Here are some good sites to visit for information.

http://www.mayoclinic.com/invoke.cfm?objectid=2D6C9450-464C-4D7C-9D2F7DC096E03151

http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3005390

http://www.westga.edu/~wmaples/aneurysm.html

Also, You can do a search for "Marfans Support" and find several sites that may provide you with more info.

Hope this helps you. Your CT will help provide you with the information to help you assess how severe your dissection is. There are some cases of treatment without surgery.

Glad that you are taking this seriously. It is not anything that you want to ignore or put-off. My dissection almost killed me.


Rob

 

[bethanne]

I just recently learned that I have a dilated ascending aorta. I found this out after an MRI from a doctor that I had sought for a second opinion. She initiated the test for several reasons, one of which was to take a look at my aorta. She explained that with congenital bi-cuspid aortic valves the cells did not form properly and their is usually a relationship with aorta's dilating.
My first cardio had not even mentioned the relationship as something to keep an eye on....

Keep us posted on what your doctor recommends for treatment...

As for me, I felt more comfortable about the whole thing knowing I was in the waiting room for the valve replacement this whole aortic anneurysm thing is a little more scary, at least for me.

keep us posted! Being newly diagnosed, I do not have much experience to shed any light on the topic.

 

[Ross]

Dave no offense, but I think Dr. Coselli is absolutely crazy. The Cleveland Clinic has even said that at 5, the risk for rupture far outweighs the risk of surgery.

As far as I know, mine never made it to 5 before it blew. All I can say is, Never again.

 

[RobThatsMe]

Hi Dave,

Yes, I had an ascending aortic disection. My aorta tore from my heart valve all the way down to about the knee in my left leg.

My doctors are continuing to monitor several areas of my aota that are slightly over 3.0 cm . These area are possible sites of a futue aortic aneurysm. My surgeon said that if one of these grows to 5.0 cm then it is time for surgery.

So far, 4 years since my emergency surgery, all areas are stable, In fact, they haven't growm at all since my surgery. (Knock on wood!)

Hope things work out for you,

Rob

 

[bethanne]

I found this site to be very informative. Cedars-Sinai Heart Center and Aortic Thoracic Surgery Program.
http://www.csmc.edu/3885.html#adts

If you persevere through the info, you will see Timing of Surgery.

also I used the search engine on their site and pulled up some question/answer sessions that were informative as well.

Hope this helps...

 

[Granbonny]

Hi Harry

Hi Harry

I hope your FUTURE CAT and Heart Cath is NOT too far in the future. Yes, they will show your aneurysm..mine was found on a Thursday. Aneurysm was a 5..Surgery was following Monday. Thank Goodness. ..Brother-in-laws (same age as me) died 13 years ago when his burst. Reading in bed. Remember, John Ritter .heard Lucille Ball died of one too.Ticking time bombs....and I had NO symptoms..healthy age 61 year old female with NEVER No health problems......PCP had me running thru a bunch of tests to find out why I was burping..sent me to a Cardio after seeing. ENT and gastro doctor...No reflux, ect.....Came after my Mom died..aerophagia..the swallowing of air caused by stress. Mama was looking after me.. BTW..I still have it..but under control by just trying to relax. but my aneurysm is gone and feel GREAT...Bonnie

 

[Arlyss]

Types of Aortic Dissection

Types of Aortic Dissection

Hi,
Dissection of the aorta is called either Type A or Type B. Type A affects the ascending aorta. Type A is usually life-threatening and people are rushed to the ER and hopefully come through emergency surgery. This is what happened to Rob. So it is very likely that if you do have a dissection, it is Type B. Type B dissections can usually be watched until they reach the size at which surgery is recommended.
Since you have a bicuspid aortic valve, you will want to know as much about this as possible. It is a connective tissue disorder, probably genetically based, that one is born with. It varies in its effects on people, but the aortic and mitral valves and the aorta itself may all have fragile tissue.
Here is a link that may be helpful to you
http://www.cedars-sinai.edu/aorta
There is a section that you can click on called aortic disease, where you can see diagrams of the aorta and Type A and B dissections are defined. There is also a section called Bicuspid Aortic Disease. And there are some FAQs that may be interesting!
My husband had a bicuspid valve....he didn't dissect, but he certainly developed an aneurysm!

Best Wishes,
Arlyss

 

[HarryG]

So Many Questions....??? Not Many Answers....!!!

So Many Questions....??? Not Many Answers....!!!

I started this thread without any answers and today I am still unsure and nervous, or should I say anxious! I have in the past month and half or so have had the following Echo, CT Scan and Cath., they showed the following, Bicuspid Valve and Aorta dilation of somewhere between 4.6 and 4.9, no artery blockage and No Dilation as thought possible earlier. I have the following symptoms, excessively tired at all times more so when under exertion, dizziness, some nausea, just plain not right.
Since reading the valuable threads I believe I am due for the surgery. I have decided to change hospitals (Beth Israel Deaconess - Boston) and check with an aortic surgeon and new cardiologist to see what they say. As I have read I don't want it to come to a point where it is too late. I feel that I am young enough (53) and otherwise healthy enough to have this major surgery and come out on top of the mountain. I think it's time. My next appointment is Thursday the 24th @ noon with the surgeon, then I am driving to Michigan for the weekend. I am picking up all of my records from my primary care and old hospital and doctors to bring with me to BIDC.
Please any help TALK TO ME............!
This is a wonderful sight and much knowledge has been gained by joining!
p.s. Sorry for rambling

 

[HarryG]

Quick fix to previous (SORRY)

Quick fix to previous (SORRY)

Meant to say NO DISSECTION NOT DILATION..........! Boy am I embarrassed

SORRY

 

[Georgia]

Hi, Harry. Congrats on taking control of your medical care. As much as they'll let you, anyway. I think getting in to a surgeon is a great idea.

I don't have any advice for you, as my problems were a lot different from yours; but I can sure commiserate with the "not feeling right". I just didn't realize that my problems weren't the result of aging. duh.

btw: you can edit your posts really easy - just hit "edit"; I do it all the time. But not to worry - we all mis-type now and then.

 

[Ross]

..........But we's perfects peoples, we's don't makem mistakes.

 

[HarryG]

Just Looking for Answers

Just Looking for Answers

I am just looking for some answers with this addition to the original thread, like I stated with the symptoms, shortness of breath, being constantly tired, dizzy at times (but aren't we all ), nausea etc., etc.
As everyone I want the best. No one knows there body like ourselves. I am young enough, in relatively good health other than the ticker. I am just hoping the Dr. next Thursday suggests that we go in. I know it's no pick-nick, and there will be plenty of bumps in the road, but my quality of life is going down hill at this point. I wish someone had the answers, I certainly don't......the waiting is so stressful. Ever since 1995 with the angioplasty the five other cath's, them catching the dilation of the Aorta and bi-cuspid valve in '99.....oh the joys of waiting.........who am I kidding......sorry for rambling!