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What is the correct cm in thoracic aorta ansersym to have surgery
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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@francic cat scan is more accurate
Thank you
@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.
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2 ReactionsThank you for your reply. I will be working on getting a 2nd opinion scheduled this upcoming week
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.
@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.
@bonnie73 Would you share what medication delayed your surgery?
@houston13
Hey there… I’m in Houston and my Ascending aorta is at 4.5 and I was hoping you could give me the names of your two doctors so that I could get a second opinion?
Thanks 🙏
@jdfiii mine was found at 4.2 and I was told I could continue weight lifting as usual with annual monitoring. That was two years ago and I am now at 4.5 and I’m waiting to find out if I can continue to weight train or not. I’m really hoping I can because I have loved it my whole adult life and not getting to weight train is going to be tough on my psyche. I just turned 60.
@raymond65 of course, my cardiologist is Dr Siddharth Prakash (look at the video I posted earlier in this thread) who is a well known authority in aortic diseases, all his research is related to aortic diseases, aneurysms, etc. I feel lucky to have him as my cardiologist. My surgeon was Dr Anthony Estrera, also one of the best cardiothoracic surgeons in Houston, a fantastic surgeon and person, both are part of UT Physicians.
At 4.5 I would get with Dr Prakash first since you’re still not near critical size.