Aneurysm Aortic valve surgery - What should I do as a caregiver?

Posted by trki @trki, Mar 14, 2025

Just an update... My husband met with a surgeon at Mayo today. She is recommending an aortic valve replacement with a bovine valve and an aortic root aneurysm replacement.

She indicated OK to schedule in three to six months, but also OK with surgery being scheduled next month.

She seemed to think that his valve regurgitation was severe and that the rate of growth of his aneurysm was concerning. His Aneurysm is 4.9 cm (CT January 2025), 5.1 cm on Echo.

I was a bit surprised that she didn't want to wait until the aneurysm reached 5.0 on CT...but also concerned with the fast growth of his aneurysm.

So I guess its Go time!

A question...for those who have had surgery, is there good benefit to having your spouse stay overnight while patient is hospitalized.? He doesn't want me to spend nights at the hospital, but I really believe there is benefit to having your person there for support and advocacy.

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

legacyrock | @legacyrock | Mar 17, 2025

In reply to @trki "Thanks for responding… I appreciate your perspective! I know my husband wants me to sleep at..." + (show)

I believe the care he would receive at Mayo would be the best available. There’s a reason people travel from around the world to receive their medical care at Mayo. It will be my choice for surgery when the time comes.

trki | @trki | Mar 17, 2025

In reply to @legacyrock "I believe the care he would receive at Mayo would be the best available. There’s a..." + (show)

Yes, Mayo is great , for the most part.. my husband is being treated for cancer there too.
We are in Phoenix… I think the Mayo in Rochester has a more robust cardio thoracic surgery department.

kfmgm | @kfmgm | Mar 17, 2025

I stayed at a nearby hotel when my husband had his surgery.
It was right at the start of COVID but the let me in to see him a couple hours every day.
To be honest, he was pretty drugged up and doesn’t have a lot of memory of me being there.
But I know he was comforted at the time.

trki | @trki | Mar 17, 2025

In reply to @kfmgm "I stayed at a nearby hotel when my husband had his surgery. It was right at..." + (show)

Thanks for your feedback..I’m sure it was a comfort for your husband.
My husband had surgery for bladder cancer during Covid … it was hard to have limited contact with him

drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Mar 18, 2025

In reply to @trki "Thanks for your feedback!" + (show)

There is also the Marriot in the Clinic property at Jacksonville Mayo Clinic if that is where you would be. I had brain surgery and that is were my husband stayed, just a call away

trki | @trki | Mar 18, 2025

In reply to @drmpicardi "There is also the Marriot in the Clinic property at Jacksonville Mayo Clinic if that is..." + (show)

Thanks.. we are at the Mayo in Phoenix … they have a hotel on their campus too

seasidesandy1 | @seasidesandy1 | Mar 19, 2025

In reply to @trki "Yes, Mayo is great , for the most part.. my husband is being treated for cancer..." + (show)

Was this a heart surgeon or vascular surgeon’s recommendation regarding the aneurysm? If a heart surgeon, was a Mayo vascular surgeon requested for a second opinion for the aneurysm?

I have been followed by Mayo vascular surgeons over the last 20 years for an abdominal aorta descending aneurysm. The aneurysm is now 5.9mm and having to also make decisions for major surgeries.

I discovered this Mayo support site by chance and value the opinions of others in similar situations.

Blessings to you and your husband!

trki | @trki | Mar 19, 2025

In reply to @seasidesandy1 "Was this a heart surgeon or vascular surgeon’s recommendation regarding the aneurysm? If a heart surgeon,..." + (show)

My husbands surgical consult was with a cardio thoracic surgeon , his aneurysm is at the aortic root… the root and aortic valve will both have to be replaced.. he will need open heart surgery with heart/lung bypass