1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Ascending Aneurysm - Surgery Experience and Recovery/Risk

Posted by Fighter @niravani, Jan 10 1:07pm

Hello Everyone, I want to see if anyone can share their surgery experience and recovery process post fixing Aorta. 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. Cardiologists say, they will likely need to operate me when my Aorta becomes 5" with bicuspid valve.

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 and Surgery?

I will appreciate your input and help. Thank you.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Aortic Aneurysms Support Group.

harvlori | @harvlori | Apr 17 2:10pm

I have watched mine grow from 4.3 about 2yrs ago and was advised to get it checked every 6 months and each check up got a little bigger everybody body is different and family history is important my last check up was in Nov was 5.0 I wish they would of did surgery then but they decided it’s not time yet so living with a 5.0 and rising They have me seeing a surgeon this trip in late April hopefully I can get it taken care off

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1 reply
jeannate | @jeannate | May 1 2:28pm
In reply to @dinis "It is a lot that you are going through. Although Mayo is very good, I would..." + (show)
@dinis

It is a lot that you are going through. Although Mayo is very good, I would get a second opinion at Cleveland Clinic because with these surgeries Mayo's outcomes in stroking are not as good as Cleveland. This means your chances of a stroke are higher at Mayo Clinic with these surgeries. The data shows it and personally my brother in law did stroke at Mayo. He was never quite the same. Cleveland Clinic is the number 1 in heart stuff.

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I had excellent surgeons at Abbott Heart Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. Aortic dissection 8 years ago. I go back for follow-ups on a regular basis. Anyone else go here?

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twocents | @twocents | May 2 3:53am
In reply to @harvlori "I have watched mine grow from 4.3 about 2yrs ago and was advised to get it..." + (show)
@harvlori

I have watched mine grow from 4.3 about 2yrs ago and was advised to get it checked every 6 months and each check up got a little bigger everybody body is different and family history is important my last check up was in Nov was 5.0 I wish they would of did surgery then but they decided it’s not time yet so living with a 5.0 and rising They have me seeing a surgeon this trip in late April hopefully I can get it taken care off

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I had my surgery eight weeks ago and am doing well. I am a 70 yo female, small in stature, weighing 102. My aneurysm measured 4.9. I was told they don’t just go on size when deciding to operate . It depends on how fast it’s growing and the size of the person. My surgeon said that with me the risk of the aneurysm rupturing or dissecting was higher than the the risk of surgery. I’m thankful to have this behind me. Good luck!

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mthlc | @mthlc | May 2 6:02pm
In reply to @janagain "It was discovered that I have an ascending aorta aneurysm 2 years ago during a MRI..." + (show)
@janagain

It was discovered that I have an ascending aorta aneurysm 2 years ago during a MRI of my spine. At that time, it was 3.2 and was told to get it checked out. I turned 65 two years later and now on Medicare. The Cardiologist ordered a ultrasound and it had grown to 4.3 which was confirmed by a MRI also. and he suggested I get it looked at once a year to determine growth. However, I'm thinking it should be checked every 6 months and wondering what the protocal is now that it is 4.3. My son has a murmur , do all your children need to be screened for this? This is a serious surgery and ICU visit and it's giving me a lot of anxiety. I also have a large hiatal hernia and need back surgery for scoliosis. Am I no longer a canidate for surgery to repair the hernia and back because of an existing aortic aneurysm? I need more answers than I'm getting from the current Cardiologist. Good health to all of you, thanks.

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You can get a genetic test to see if it is among known genetic risk factors. Because some TAAAs are related to genetic changes, it is a good idea to notify 1st degree relatives. My mother and one of her sisters died of a dissecting TAAA.
My sister doesn't have it but I have one. One of the daughters of one of my mom's sisters had a TAAA so a good idea to followup.

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1 reply
janagain | @janagain | May 2 6:19pm
In reply to @mthlc "You can get a genetic test to see if it is among known genetic risk factors...." + (show)
@mthlc

You can get a genetic test to see if it is among known genetic risk factors. Because some TAAAs are related to genetic changes, it is a good idea to notify 1st degree relatives. My mother and one of her sisters died of a dissecting TAAA.
My sister doesn't have it but I have one. One of the daughters of one of my mom's sisters had a TAAA so a good idea to followup.

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My Mother's side of the family was very poor and lacking any kind of history. My Father's side is a little bit better but here again no history available on this issue. My sister however discovered she had Cardio Myopathy 20 years ago. With excellent care , she is doing quite well. I have 2 boys that need to be tested for TAAA. We are currently working on that. I'll check into that genetic test to see if there's a known risk. At the same time of this, I'm dealing with osteoarthritis of the lumbar and cervical spine. I know my Grandmother had osteoarthritis and so does my 90yr old Mother. Thank you for the information you suggested.

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shoover2804 | @shoover2804 | May 3 11:48am

I never knew I had one and went in for an echocardiogram for other reasons. They found a 7.5 ascending aortic aneurysm and did emergency surgery. I was home within 7 days, started cardiac rehab a week later. I am lucky to be alive and am doing well. I feel fortunate that I just experienced my 68th birthday.

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2 replies
twocents | @twocents | May 4 4:58am
In reply to @shoover2804 "I never knew I had one and went in for an echocardiogram for other reasons. They..." + (show)
@shoover2804

I never knew I had one and went in for an echocardiogram for other reasons. They found a 7.5 ascending aortic aneurysm and did emergency surgery. I was home within 7 days, started cardiac rehab a week later. I am lucky to be alive and am doing well. I feel fortunate that I just experienced my 68th birthday.

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You are definitely a lucky person, I’ve never heard of one being a 7.5. I’m in the midst of Cardiac Rehab which I find very helpful. I feel like I’m lucky to be alive as well. Wishing you the best!

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will3886 | @will3886 | May 4 8:40am
In reply to @shoover2804 "I never knew I had one and went in for an echocardiogram for other reasons. They..." + (show)
@shoover2804

I never knew I had one and went in for an echocardiogram for other reasons. They found a 7.5 ascending aortic aneurysm and did emergency surgery. I was home within 7 days, started cardiac rehab a week later. I am lucky to be alive and am doing well. I feel fortunate that I just experienced my 68th birthday.

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Good news just in time

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scaredcat | @scaredcat | May 6 1:41pm

I'm facing abdominal aortic aneurysm surgery and would appreciate hearing all the details of what to expect.

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