1. < Aortic Aneurysms

Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

Posted by rory @rory, Apr 2, 2018

I was diagnosed in 2012 with ascending aorta dialation of 4.1 cm. In 2013 no change. Finally went back to dr in 2017 and echo showed 4.3 cm. 2 months later dr made me have a chest scan which read 4.5 cm. which is correct? Echo or scan? Dr wants me to have another in 6 months. Very stressful.

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

stacya1976 | @stacya1976 | May 21, 2024
In reply to @2sunny "After I experienced a heart attack 12 years ago(at the age of 59) the cardiac catheterization..." + (show)
@2sunny

After I experienced a heart attack 12 years ago(at the age of 59) the cardiac catheterization revealed a 4.5 cm aneurysm on my ascending aorta. I opted to have a graft repair and that was performed less than six months later (my heart attack was considered to be as a result of ‘broken heart syndrome’ so my recovery was fairly quick). After a few months of recovery from the surgery I was beginning to feel pretty much like my old self again. And after that other than being thankful every day I don’t need to think about this experience except to get an ECHO and/or an MRA once every couple of years.

Jump to this post

You didnt find out until after your heart attack that it was from broken heart syndrome? ? Could that have been prevented if the doctors checked something specific that i can suggest my dads doctor to check.
Also ...im sorry for the circumstances that put you through all of what you have been thru.

REPLY
latrisha | @latrisha | Feb 2 9:40pm

I am confuse about my reading. I found out about my ascending aorta in 2019 from echo with my ascending at 3,7 then after that i had a cta which had my ascending aorta at 3.3 with no aneurysms. So after that I had repeating echo ,in 2022 my ascending was 3.8 he said everything was good no dissection. So lately I just had a CTA 2024 and my ascending aorta was 3.2 unremarkable and my descending was 2.6 unremarkable and the impression said thoracic aorta unremarkable. I am confuse about these reading when one doctors says you have aneurysms and the other one says you don't you just in upper limit. This is so stressful to me

REPLY
2 replies
drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Feb 6 8:16pm
In reply to @latrisha "I am confuse about my reading. I found out about my ascending aorta in 2019 from..." + (show)
@latrisha

I am confuse about my reading. I found out about my ascending aorta in 2019 from echo with my ascending at 3,7 then after that i had a cta which had my ascending aorta at 3.3 with no aneurysms. So after that I had repeating echo ,in 2022 my ascending was 3.8 he said everything was good no dissection. So lately I just had a CTA 2024 and my ascending aorta was 3.2 unremarkable and my descending was 2.6 unremarkable and the impression said thoracic aorta unremarkable. I am confuse about these reading when one doctors says you have aneurysms and the other one says you don't you just in upper limit. This is so stressful to me

Jump to this post

I have the same problem were the measurements are all over the table . Diagnosed in 2011 at 4.5 and readings have been 4.6,4.7,4.5,4.6 now 4.9. Who do you rely on? I am going back to Mayo and consult them after they initially diagnosed it

REPLY
1 reply
azvm | @azvm | Feb 9 1:17pm
In reply to @latrisha "I am confuse about my reading. I found out about my ascending aorta in 2019 from..." + (show)
@latrisha

I am confuse about my reading. I found out about my ascending aorta in 2019 from echo with my ascending at 3,7 then after that i had a cta which had my ascending aorta at 3.3 with no aneurysms. So after that I had repeating echo ,in 2022 my ascending was 3.8 he said everything was good no dissection. So lately I just had a CTA 2024 and my ascending aorta was 3.2 unremarkable and my descending was 2.6 unremarkable and the impression said thoracic aorta unremarkable. I am confuse about these reading when one doctors says you have aneurysms and the other one says you don't you just in upper limit. This is so stressful to me

Jump to this post

Agree it’s confusing in 2022 had an echo it said ascending aorta 3.7 mildly dilated cat scan in 2023/said 3.6 within normal range for my age at the time 73. Echo 2024 3.6 again cardiologist said within normal limits 74 at the time. I’m scheduled for yearly echo follow up in 2025. Praying it just stays the same.

REPLY
1 reply
drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Feb 10 10:20am
In reply to @azvm "Agree it’s confusing in 2022 had an echo it said ascending aorta 3.7 mildly dilated cat..." + (show)
@azvm

Agree it’s confusing in 2022 had an echo it said ascending aorta 3.7 mildly dilated cat scan in 2023/said 3.6 within normal range for my age at the time 73. Echo 2024 3.6 again cardiologist said within normal limits 74 at the time. I’m scheduled for yearly echo follow up in 2025. Praying it just stays the same.

Jump to this post

What I have learned from the cardiologists is that they follow patients with ECHO's to prevent too much radiation by performing CT's or MRI's. But the final readings and more precise are from an MRI with contrast. The ECHO depends on the angle at which is being read and is not precise
drmpicardi

REPLY
1 reply
cyfanter2024 | @cyfanter2024 | Feb 10 10:34am
In reply to @crhp194 "I had open heart surgery at Mayo for the ascending aneurysm which was not dissected, just..." + (show)
@crhp194

I had open heart surgery at Mayo for the ascending aneurysm which was not dissected, just large, and the arch was rebuilt but no valve replacement. Actually got along quite well thanks to a wonderful doctor there, Dr Pochettino. Again, best of luck to you!

Jump to this post

Please let me know how your recovery went. I am also scheduled with Dr. P for ascending aortic aneurysm repair soon.

REPLY
1 reply
azvm | @azvm | Feb 10 2:08pm
In reply to @drmpicardi "What I have learned from the cardiologists is that they follow patients with ECHO's to prevent..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

What I have learned from the cardiologists is that they follow patients with ECHO's to prevent too much radiation by performing CT's or MRI's. But the final readings and more precise are from an MRI with contrast. The ECHO depends on the angle at which is being read and is not precise
drmpicardi

Jump to this post

Thanks for your reply. The CATSCAN with contrast showed 3.6 dilation which Cardiologist says is normal for my age 74. My next echo is in June

REPLY
1 reply
crhp194 | @crhp194 | Feb 10 2:16pm
In reply to @cyfanter2024 "Please let me know how your recovery went. I am also scheduled with Dr. P for..." + (show)
@cyfanter2024

Please let me know how your recovery went. I am also scheduled with Dr. P for ascending aortic aneurysm repair soon.

Jump to this post

Recovery was uneventful. Really didn’t have much pain. Mayo knows how to handle pain. They ask your level of pain. I was in the hospital 7 days spent sleeping and walking. Dr P is the absolute best and while you probably won’t see him after the surgery he’s always looking or getting the daily blood levels.
Don’t worry though it’s tough not to but the procedure has been done for a long time. Dr P is an expert.
Good luck!

REPLY
1 reply
latrisha | @latrisha | Feb 10 11:14pm
In reply to @drmpicardi "I have the same problem were the measurements are all over the table . Diagnosed in..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

I have the same problem were the measurements are all over the table . Diagnosed in 2011 at 4.5 and readings have been 4.6,4.7,4.5,4.6 now 4.9. Who do you rely on? I am going back to Mayo and consult them after they initially diagnosed it

Jump to this post

My Cardiologist told me that he goes with the CT scan its more accurate and to repeat it in two to three years.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.