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5.2 ascending aortic aneurysm- waiting for surgery (?)
72YO male: I’ve had a St Jude replacement aortic valve since 1998 that leaks a bit with my left ventricle enlarged to 7cm. I also have a slowly enlarging ascending aortic aneurysm, 5.0 to 5.2cm and my current plan is to wait for open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve and fix my aneurysm when it reaches 5.5cm. I’m slightly worried about waiting because I won’t be as “healthy “ for surgery in my late 70s as now. Any ideas concerning putting surgery off until necessary or solving problem now?
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I had an ascending aortic aneurysm dissection and emergency repair. Mine was 4.2 cm and was to be monitored every 2 years even with some family history. I had no pain but sudden weakness. Thank goodness I was not driving a car where I could have endangered others. I’d suggest getting a repair ASAP.
Thank you for this. I can get to Durham in about an hour and a half. Who is your doctor there? How did you find him or were you referred?
My Primary Care Provider (PCP) referred me to Duke . There are several Cardiothoracic Specialist at Duke. Chad Hughes, MD. is who I see. Just be certain that you have your attending doctor ( your PCP or Cardiologist) make the referral. Duke needs to have documentation of why you are seeking an evaluation with a Cardiothoracic Specialist. I have been going to Duke for the past 3 years. This will be my 4th annual visit there.
Actually, when I was researching Cardiothoracic specialists at Duke, Chad Hughes is the name that came up as a very good doctor. I just might try to see him. I have a 4.2 (or is it .3?) TAA and am scheduled for another echocardiogram and CT scan in July. I also have an appointment with a new cardiologist in August because my old one retired. I very much appreciate your input on this.
Just be sure that you get a referral from your doctor. As an individual, you cannot make your own referral. Good luck with all that awaits you. I am at a 5.5cm now but my biggest issue is that I have post COVID lung fibrosis that makes me a very high risk for post op complications. The only bright spot in all this is that my Ascending aortic aneurysm was found on CT at 4.9 while I was hospitalized for weeks with COVID in 2019. Never smoked or been married to a smoker.
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2 ReactionsWhat is his name?
Chad Hughes? I didn't see the other post.
I just had a Coronary CT Angiogram. It showed my ascending aorta at 4.3. cm. I found out by chance because of another issue from being in the ER for something else. I'm 63, retired and have never smoked one cigarette, no history of this in my family. I have always taken pride in watching what I eat, exercising, never had a weight issue. So all the factors that are listed as probable causes l have none. My question is l would like to know the coralation between having COVID twice and now this issue with my aorta. Research does show that COVID can cause inflammation of the heart.
Does anyone have any opinions on this
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@concern, I too have never smoked a cigarette or been married to a smoker. A 4.9 cm ascending aorta aneurysm was found Dec 2020 when I was hospitalized for a couple weeks with Severe Bilateral COVID Pneumonia. I do have undifferientiated mixed connective tissue disorder. My aneurysm is now 5.4. I have so much lung damage from the COVID so Cardiothoracic Aortic Specialist is waiting until I am close to dissecting to perform surgery as I am at high risk for respiratory failure. So I don't know if it coincidental that the aneurysm was found while I was hospitalized & deteriorating or if the COVID caused the aneurysm. I had been bedfast sick with COVID for at least 7days before the ambulance took me to the hospital.