1. < Aortic Aneurysms
Profile picture for steffe

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.

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

Profile picture for houston13
houston13 | @houston13 | Oct 16 3:19pm
In reply to @francic "I had echo last year measuring aorta root at 4.6 cm and ascending aorta at 3.8...." + (show)
Profile picture for francic @francic

I had echo last year measuring aorta root at 4.6 cm and ascending aorta at 3.8. This year echo read aorta root at 4.6 and ascending aorta at 5.1. Cardiologist recently had me get a cat scan before handing me off to a surgeon. The cat scan came back at aorta root at 4.2 cm and the ascending at 3.8. Which reading is most accurate. Should I get a 2nd opinion? I am 68 y/o

Jump to this post

@francic cat scan is more accurate

REPLY
Profile picture for lmelv
lmelv | @lmelv | Oct 18 9:20am
In reply to @francic "I had echo last year measuring aorta root at 4.6 cm and ascending aorta at 3.8...." + (show)
Profile picture for francic @francic

I had echo last year measuring aorta root at 4.6 cm and ascending aorta at 3.8. This year echo read aorta root at 4.6 and ascending aorta at 5.1. Cardiologist recently had me get a cat scan before handing me off to a surgeon. The cat scan came back at aorta root at 4.2 cm and the ascending at 3.8. Which reading is most accurate. Should I get a 2nd opinion? I am 68 y/o

Jump to this post

@francic Getting a medical opinion on the net isn't the best plan with something so important as an aneurysm. Insurance usually pays for a second opinion. Your peace of mind is worth the price even if they don't.
Keep in mind every echo and ever CT could be flawed, the machine could be old, the technician could be new, the radiologist could be having a bad day.
Wishing you a solid answer and a long life.

REPLY
Profile picture for francic
francic | @francic | Oct 19 8:40am

Thank you for your reply. I will be working on getting a 2nd opinion scheduled this upcoming week

REPLY
Profile picture for mleiva1234
mleiva1234 | @mleiva1234 | 6 days ago

Absolutely get a second opinion. Frankly, at 5.5cm I am shocked you are not being told you need surgery. And to come back in two years?!?! I have seen three cardio thoracic surgeons and they have all said once I cross over 5.0cm it’s time to go. I am 57 yo and was diagnosed with a TAA four years ago. I am having surgery Nov. 4th because the surgeon I choose is concerned with my length at 11.3cm as much if not more than the diameter of -4.8cm (depending on who is reviewing my CT scan). I have so many activities I want to get back to and my family wants me to put to put this behind me. Best of luck.

REPLY
Profile picture for bonnie73
bonnie73 | @bonnie73 | 2 days ago

@houston13 I had the surgery at 5,2 I was told it is now the standard at 5.0 for thoracic ascending aneurysm ( by a local thoracic surgeon.. he showed me the page from their procedures. I ended up going to Mayo Hospital in Rochester . They also repaired a descending aneurysm a week later. I had to wait 2 months because of medicine I was taking to get out of system. It was hard thinking I was a ticking timebomb.. however, I eventually figured well I didn’t even know I had but had gone in for a bad cough and found out. So I just took it daily thinking I don’t seem any different. Eventually the scared feeling wasn’t as bad but I did know I was going in two months. I would definitely get a 2nd opinion from a well known hospital near you. @bonnie73.

REPLY
1 reply
Profile picture for breick
breick | @breick | 17 hours ago
In reply to @bonnie73 "@houston13 I had the surgery at 5,2 I was told it is now the standard at..." + (show)
Profile picture for bonnie73 @bonnie73

@houston13 I had the surgery at 5,2 I was told it is now the standard at 5.0 for thoracic ascending aneurysm ( by a local thoracic surgeon.. he showed me the page from their procedures. I ended up going to Mayo Hospital in Rochester . They also repaired a descending aneurysm a week later. I had to wait 2 months because of medicine I was taking to get out of system. It was hard thinking I was a ticking timebomb.. however, I eventually figured well I didn’t even know I had but had gone in for a bad cough and found out. So I just took it daily thinking I don’t seem any different. Eventually the scared feeling wasn’t as bad but I did know I was going in two months. I would definitely get a 2nd opinion from a well known hospital near you. @bonnie73.

Jump to this post

@bonnie73 Would you share what medication delayed your surgery?

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