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Aortic Ascending Aneurism - Share Growth Rate

Posted by Fighter @niravani, Jan 10 1:04pm

Hello Everyone, I look for any thread that talk about Aortic Ascending Aneurism with Bicuspid valve and its growth rate. I got diagnose by accident for Aortic Ascending Aneurism of 4.5CM at the age of 50 and have bicuspid valve as well. My next CT scan is in June 2024.

If anyone in the same boat or diagnosis, can you please share your experience with growth rate of this Aorta over time with bicuspid valve?

I will appreciate your input and help. Thank you.

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fjc1962 | @fjc1962 | Jan 20 7:20am
In reply to @houston13 "Interesting, I also had a brain aneurysm and an ascending aortic aneurysm (found while getting leg..." + (show)
@houston13

Interesting, I also had a brain aneurysm and an ascending aortic aneurysm (found while getting leg fracture surgery) with bicuspid valve. Both are fixed, embolization to fix the brain one, open heart for the aortic. My heart surgery was at 5.2, the size it had when they found it. That was my surgeon’s recommendation, he never mentioned 5.5, he did say 5.0 and above are considered large. I could not wait to have it fixed, had the surgery as soon as appropriate after my leg surgery (3 months). Back to normal life, (that was 4 years ago) just monitoring the valve every year

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Amazing story and I’m glad you’re now doing well. Where did you have the surgery done? Sounds like you had a great surgeon.

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1 reply
twocents | @twocents | Jan 20 9:25am

I also have the bicuspid heart valve with the ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. My doctors have given me a index that they use, which is called the aortic index they take your weight height and the size of your aneurysm, and then decide when the surgery needs to be done I am a very small person 5’2” weigh 103lbs. Because of my size they recommend surgery be done soon. My aneurysm measures between 4.6 and 4.7 I have had three different opinions two of which say this needs to be done right away. The surgeons say I am a ticking time bomb. We are in the process of setting up a time to have the surgery done. My understanding is that there is no set measurement in which surgery should be done. It all depends on your size and the growth rate of the aneurysm. They say my risk of not having the surgery is higher than the risk of the surgery. I would like feedback on those that have had the surgery done and what the recovery is like. Thanks to all and good luck.

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2 replies
Fighter | @niravani | Jan 20 10:10am

This is the risk vs size chart.

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1 reply
Fighter | @niravani | Jan 20 10:17am

I saw the cardiologist yesterday.
1. Next CT and Echo Cardiogram both in June 2024
2. Stress test next week
3. Once aneurysm is 5.0, he wanted to reference to the surgeon and start talking about surgery.
4. Cleveland, Mayo or Boston are the best he said.
5. Graft is the only option for me.
6. Risk is there but 2-3%
7. Recovery can be long and depends on individual
8. They may or may not change Aortic Valve depending on how much stenosis there
9. Also, surgery can be 2 years out or 10 depending on how my aneurysm grows in next few reports.

Mean time, be healthy, control BP and workout everyday and maintain 140 to 145 heartbeat during cardio workout.

Hope this helps.

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1 reply
deedth64 | @deedth64 | Jan 21 8:08am
In reply to @niravani "I saw the cardiologist yesterday. 1. Next CT and Echo Cardiogram both in June 2024 2...." + (show)
@niravani

I saw the cardiologist yesterday.
1. Next CT and Echo Cardiogram both in June 2024
2. Stress test next week
3. Once aneurysm is 5.0, he wanted to reference to the surgeon and start talking about surgery.
4. Cleveland, Mayo or Boston are the best he said.
5. Graft is the only option for me.
6. Risk is there but 2-3%
7. Recovery can be long and depends on individual
8. They may or may not change Aortic Valve depending on how much stenosis there
9. Also, surgery can be 2 years out or 10 depending on how my aneurysm grows in next few reports.

Mean time, be healthy, control BP and workout everyday and maintain 140 to 145 heartbeat during cardio workout.

Hope this helps.

Jump to this post

That is exactly what my doctors said both primary and cardio. They basically said mine is small 4.1 and may never need surgery just to monitor. I also go in June for another look see. If it is still the same they will call it stable and not look again for a couple of years. Mine was found in 2018 during a Catheterization

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1 reply
fjc1962 | @fjc1962 | Jan 22 10:10am
In reply to @twocents "I also have the bicuspid heart valve with the ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. My doctors have..." + (show)
@twocents

I also have the bicuspid heart valve with the ascending thoracic aortic aneurysm. My doctors have given me a index that they use, which is called the aortic index they take your weight height and the size of your aneurysm, and then decide when the surgery needs to be done I am a very small person 5’2” weigh 103lbs. Because of my size they recommend surgery be done soon. My aneurysm measures between 4.6 and 4.7 I have had three different opinions two of which say this needs to be done right away. The surgeons say I am a ticking time bomb. We are in the process of setting up a time to have the surgery done. My understanding is that there is no set measurement in which surgery should be done. It all depends on your size and the growth rate of the aneurysm. They say my risk of not having the surgery is higher than the risk of the surgery. I would like feedback on those that have had the surgery done and what the recovery is like. Thanks to all and good luck.

Jump to this post

I am in a very similar situation. My aneurysm is actually larger than yours at 4.8, but I am very close to having the surgery as well. Where are you considering having the surgery? I am weighing out traveling to Cleveland or Rochester vs benefits of being closer to home.

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1 reply
deedth64 | @deedth64 | Jan 22 10:15am

So I found a formula that calculates what your Ascending Aorta should be based on your age, since all of the sites that I have visited mentions that the aorta increases with age. The formula is 31 + 0.16* age. The calculation indicates the upper limit so for a 64 YO 31 + 0.16 * 64 = 41.24 mm or 4.1 cm. I am at 4.1 cm so I am assuming that is why my Cardiologist said I have a mild dilation instead of a aneurysm. This put my mind at ease and I am not waking up each morning with a feeling of dread instead I am focusing on my BP and Cholesterol and keeping them with the limits that the doctors set for me and keeping my eye on my tests in June hoping that I am still at the dilation measurement. Prayers

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carlwgordon | @carlwgordon | Jan 22 11:28am
In reply to @deedth64 "That is exactly what my doctors said both primary and cardio. They basically said mine is..." + (show)
@deedth64

That is exactly what my doctors said both primary and cardio. They basically said mine is small 4.1 and may never need surgery just to monitor. I also go in June for another look see. If it is still the same they will call it stable and not look again for a couple of years. Mine was found in 2018 during a Catheterization

Jump to this post

Did they tell to avoid lifting and certain excersise

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