1. < Aortic Aneurysms

What is the correct cm in thoracic aorta ansersym to have surgery

Posted by steffe @steffe, Mar 24 1:43am

Hello I'm 55 was diagnosed with a thoracic aorta ansersym 3years ago. I don't know how I got it. I don't smoke. When going to a cardiologist at a good hospital he said 6cm was surgery and I am 5.5cms . I have read several websites on surgery they say the cms I am now I should have had surgery . But the Dr says don't worry come back in another 2years. Well I decided to find another opinion. What do you think I'm lost on this I don't have any family left to help me with decisions.

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gjms | @gjms | May 26 4:25pm

I would get a second opinion and not
Wait two years
Better safe than sorry

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aryanti | @aryanti | May 26 9:54pm

My aortic thoracic aneurysm was 5.5 when the doctor first found it back in 2017. My cardiologist suggested I should have open heart surgery. However, there is a high risk as the location of my aneurysm was at the arch. In addition, I also have calcification, the debris of which, if I do open heart surgery, might fall into my other organs such as lungs and kidney which might cause lungs and kidney failure. There is a 20% risk that I may have internal bleeding, fall into a coma, or die on the operating table. I have mixed feelings and decided not to take the risks and just enjoy life to the best I can. I was 70 years old then, and now I am 76.
Just last April I had my CT scan and its now 6.1.

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Moderator
Justin McClanahan, Moderator | @JustinMcClanahan | May 27 7:31am
In reply to @dixitworld "Nothing gonna happen to you at 5.5 cm. There is negligible risk till 6 cm. Enjoy..." + (show)
@dixitworld

Nothing gonna happen to you at 5.5 cm. There is negligible risk till 6 cm. Enjoy your life

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Hello @dixitworld,

Each patient is different and their medical providers may have differing recommendations based on each patient's test results and circumstances.

As a gentle reminder, we must be careful about giving out medical advice per the Community Guidelines (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/blog/about-connect/tab/community-guidelines/). In particular: Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on the community.

Here is some general information from Mayo Clinic:

- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350193
Surgery is generally recommended for thoracic aortic aneurysms about 1.9 to 2.4 inches (about 5 to 6 centimeters) and larger. Surgery may be recommended for smaller aneurysms if you have a family history of aortic dissection or a condition linked to aortic aneurysm, such as Marfan syndrome.

The type of surgery done depends on:

- The cause of the aneurysm.
- Your overall health.
- The location of the aneurysm.

@beverly48, it sounds like you have an open, ongoing dialogue with your cardiothoracic surgeon about operating on your aneurysm. While this decision is being made with your provider, have you been given precautions while you are in limbo or tips for preparation?

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kathy9746 | @kathy9746 | May 31 2:23pm
In reply to @moonboy "Hey, I hear you—and I really get it. I had my own emergency open-heart surgery nearly..." + (show)
@moonboy

Hey, I hear you—and I really get it. I had my own emergency open-heart surgery nearly 10 years ago for a dissected thoracic aortic aneurysm. I was 50 at the time, and I can tell you firsthand—this stuff gets real, fast. You’re not alone in feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what to do next. It’s scary, especially when you’re the only one making the call. GET A SECOND OPINION RIGHT NOW FROM A THORACIC SURGEON AT A MAJOR HEART CENTER. Mayo, Cleveland, UT Houston, U of Minnesota, UCSD, etc.

A 5.5 cm thoracic aortic aneurysm is right at the threshold where most guidelines say close monitoring or surgical consultation is necessary, depending on your body size, symptoms, and growth rate. The general cutoff for surgery is often 5.5 cm for the ascending aorta—but many top centers (especially in the U.S.) consider earlier surgery around 5.0–5.3 cm if you’re otherwise healthy and especially if you’re young, like you, at 55.

And two years between checkups at your size? That seems way too long. Most specialists recommend imaging every 6 to 12 months at this stage. You’re absolutely right to trust your instincts and seek a second opinion—preferably from a thoracic aortic surgeon at a high-volume center. They’ll look at your full history, growth rate, CT or MRI imaging, and maybe even genetic factors.

Just to be clear: you didn’t cause this. It’s not from smoking or anything you did wrong. Aneurysms often develop silently and can be related to connective tissue strength, blood pressure, or even genes you’ve never heard of.

You’re not lost. You’re paying attention. You’re asking the right questions. And you’re advocating for yourself—and that’s exactly what saved my life in 2015. You’ve got this.

Peace.

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My cardiologist says 5.0 and we will talk surgery. I’m at 4.2 now

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1 reply
relax2 | @relax2 | Jun 2 3:21pm
In reply to @kathy9746 "My cardiologist says 5.0 and we will talk surgery. I’m at 4.2 now" + (show)
@kathy9746

My cardiologist says 5.0 and we will talk surgery. I’m at 4.2 now

Jump to this post

Yes I think 5.0 is the what most doctors and specialists say is the number to start a conversation about surgery. Some research I’ve done has the number much higher . Much depends I believe on your current health status , age and your ability to withstand the surgery and the recovery process. Best

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