Ascending Aortic Aneurysm & Bicuspid Aortic Heart Valve

Hi I replied to your other posting I had both, had surgery to repair aneurysm but valve was highly functional and was left in place, it could last another 10-15 years or more, that was 4 years ago, more details in the other response, if you want any additional info let me know

Had HA 9/11/2018, News to me I had and aneurism and a bicuspid valve. Fast forward to 6/9/2023 couldnt not function any longer so had the surgery to replace both ascending and descending aorta tubes with plastic ones and a mechanical valve. Mayo Rochester with Dr V, did the surgery, operation was early morning and I was up and walking that evening. I didnt have alot of chest pain that I had heard of unless I sneezed or started to cough then I glad I had my heart pillow. Now its 6/10/2024 still here doing everything and more than the past. I hope this helps if you have any direct questions I'll try and answer to the best of my abilities.

I had a sudden Type A-1 Ascending Aortic Arch dissection June 2015. Repaired with a dacron tube draft (30cm Long). Valve was damaged by dissection but repaired by surgery and did not need a mechanical valve. Like DaveJ, happy to try to answer any questions.

What do you think caused the dissection.

I was 280lbs. and had untreated hypertension (I'm a lawyer). I had been on my feet teaching a legal seminar for 2 straight days (13+ hours a day) with 1/2 day remaining. Prior to the start of the class, I had been out in the desert two days before in 113F heat touring around in Southern California. Travel, weight, hypertension, stress. It's a toxic brew. I will say this: two years before the dissection happened I woke up in the middle of the night from a dead sleep. I felt what seemed like a sudden, huge electrical shock directly in my chest right where my aorta leaves my heart. I got up and chewed two aspirin because I thought it was a heart attack. It felt like a giant bumble bee inside my chest. I was afraid to tell my spouse because I didn't want to scare her. I stayed awake for about 2 hours, ready to call 911. Nothing more happened so I just pretended nothing had happened and went back to sleep. Now, I know that that was the beginning of a very serious aortic dissection. I should have called 911 and immediately had a CT scan with contrast. I owed it to my family. It would have shown the aneurysm and I could have dealt with the surgery in a much more orderly way. Instead, my aorta blew out at a Marriott 1,600 miles from home with my wife and kids left to wonder if I was going to survive. I spent weeks in a coma, had a stroke, and a $1.4 million hospital bill. Not good. Don't ignore this condition. Don't panic, but don't ignore. It's so much easier, better, safer, and more survivable to have a planned open heart surgery than an emergent one.

I glad things worked out positive for you. Thanks for your reply. All the best

Hi I’m a newly diagnosed ascending 4.4. What was your number when they operated ?

Don’t panic but stay vigilant. Mine was found by accident too. It was 4 cm. At 4.5 I have an emergency double dissection. That was two years ago. Find a cardiologist or vascular Doctor that you trust and believe in. In the mean time (had I known) don’t lift anything that causes you to grunt or groan, hold your breath, or that you couldn’t lift push or pull repetitively. And work on keeping your blood pressure down until you get under a doctor’s care. And walk, walk, walk, as much as you can tolerate - don’t push it just a casual walk. Then when you get a doc, listen to them. Normally they don’t get too excited, unfortunately. Best wishes.

I was an emergency case. Thought I was having heart attack. Went to the hospital at 1am - busted aortic valve, busted aortic root, ascending type-A and descending type-B dissections (my whole aorta was/is still dissected), and a 55mm aneurysm. I had no idea what was going on - and this ignorance saved me. They never told me how bad it was, or whether I would survive etc. They asked me to choose what type of valve and that was it. No other questions and so no panic.

Welcome to the club! I survived an emergency surgery for and ascending aortic arch dissection in 2015. Nine years forward living, large and thankful for every day. I’m so glad to hear that you made it.