Is a 4,1 AAA something to worry about.

@suzie71
It should be monitored every six months or yearly depending on what your cardiologist recommends. They monitor it by CT scan or ultrasound usually. My husband had what started as a 4.9 cm and had scans every six months for a couple of years. Had surgery 3 weeks ago at 5.2 cm. He is 70.

@mwendt54 was the surgery very risky, hope he did well, my husbands is 4.4

@mb0926
All AAA surgery is risky but with a good cardiovascular surgeon and having it done at a hospital system that deals with these types of conditions regularly really helps in my opinion. We went through two other hospital systems before deciding on the surgeon we chose. My husband did very well. He had the EVAR procedure which is the less invasive one and was discharged the following day. We go for his follow up next week. Good luck to your husband. I believe the new cut off guidelines are surgery at 5.0 cm instead of 5.5 cm.

@mwendt54 Thank You for your response. My report says to check again in 12 months, but my Cardiologist does me every 6 months which I think is good. I am waiting to hear from his office as to what he says about a 4.1CM that I have. I wish your husband the best in his recovery. God Bless all who are going through this ordeal.

It turned out that my AAA is 4.9 according to call I received from Cardiologist office, but was still told to repeat again in 12 months. My doctor wants it done every 6 months. No matter what size etc. it is still a concern for anyone who has one.

@mb0926
I’m sorry it took me awhile to get back to you. Maybe I did and don’t remember lol. In any event, the surgery to repair an abdominal aortic aneurysm can be a risky surgery. There are two options, 1)open procedure which is basically abdominal surgery and has more risks and longer recovery or 2)EVAR procedure, a minimally invasive surgery done through the groin and then a stent placed. Shorter procedure and recovery. My husband had EVAR surgery and was discharged the following day. Went in this week for the hospital follow up with the surgeon, had a CT scan and everything is fine, no endoleaks or migration. I hope my answer helps. Good luck to you.

@suzie71
My husband was being monitored every 6 months for a few years. He had surgery last month when his abdominal aneurysm reached 5.2. The surgeon told us that the new guidelines for surgery are when the size reaches 5.0 cm as opposed to 5.5 cm. Hope you are doing well.

@mwendt54 Thank You for your response. How did your husband do with the surgery itself. I know there are so many new advances that we have now that were not available years ago, but the thought of open heart surgery is a concern for anybody who has to endure it. I appreciate any information you can give me so I am ready to handle what is ahead. Hope you and your husband are doing well now.

@mwendt54 Hi: I read your comment again, and did not realize he had the minimally invasive surgery. That is great. I did post that my cardiologist told me that mine is 4.9, and not 4.1 as I thought. I will try to keep in touch with hopes that I can encourage others along the way.

@suzie712
My husband had an abdominal aortic aneurysm and had the EVAR minimally invasive surgery through his groin. It was not open heart surgery because it was not in his chest but in his abdomen. If the EVAR is not possible for some reason, then an open abdominal aneurysm surgery would need to be performed. That to my understanding is more complicated and has a longer recovery period. He was lucky that the EVAR was able to be performed. We were also fortunate that we have a very highly respected teaching medical facility in our area, Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital with surgeons who have done hundreds if not thousands of these procedures. He was discharged the following day and just had his follow up this week with a CT scan and everything was perfect. We are due to have another follow up scan in 6 months. Good luck to you.