Well, I finally sat down with my cardiologist today. The surgeon I had informally talked to prior to today said that surgery could wait until the main aneurysm was 5.0. My cardiologist said today that we could wait until it is 6.0; however, he went on to say that many people with bicuspid valves had these types of aneurysms develop due to the turbulent blood flow caused by the stenotic valve prior to the valve replacement surgery. He thinks that since this now has been corrected, I will never need surgery to repair the aneurysm. Both the surgeon and the cardiologist also said the second aneurysm is really just an extension of the main aneurysm. The cardiologist recommend that I come back in one year for another CT scan, but we asked for a six-month followup instead. Does this sound right to anyone? I am hoping he is 100% correct, but I have my doubts. He also said that the TEE is far less accurate than the CT scan, which leads him to believe the aneurysm really did not grow at all. I am really confused now. The surgeon, who had only limited information regarding my history, felt that it should be followed and when it reached 5.0 cm surgery would be needed. Any advice?
Tiffany
Advice, Tiffany?
Do they know for sure how large your two, or it may be one, aneurysms are? Have they for a certainty developed and/or enlarged since your valve replacement surgery?
There are evidently still so many unknown variables related to various degrees of bicuspid issues, including the possibility of development of connective tissue issues, and even the aorta experts have hopefully learned much more in the past few years and will continue to do so. There seem to be many shades of theories being developed and not yet necessarily proven. I'm no expert but this is my opinion from what I've read and from what I've experienced.
Also, although some of us have endured incorrect doctor's advice, most of us here are not experienced physicians and there may be other things in your records that need taken into consideration.
That said, however, since you have only "informally" consulted with one surgeon who did not have all of your records available, consulting with more excellent, experienced, and highly recommended surgeons, perhaps even near you, seems to be a good idea. That's what I would do. And I would make sure he/she/they had all of my records, pre-op and post-op, because it is important to know whether this has really developed post-op.
Also, have you discussed this with your valve replacement surgeon? Maybe this would be a good place to start.
I consulted with three surgeons. Surgeons know a great deal more than most cardios. My (former) cardio told me I didn't need my valve replaced and he was completely wrong. It's a good thing I didn't wait around on his advice.
If the aneurysms developed after the surgery and at the stitching site, what the cardio said would make me very uncomfortable.
