Ascending Aortic Aneurysm & Bicuspid Aortic Heart Valve

@trrunalot being an ascending aortic aneurysm, they say they can repair it endovascularly? Until now the only effective method has been through open heart surgery, if they say they can let us know a lot of people in this forum would be interested.

I have a bicuspid aortic valve and had a 5.2 cm aneurysm, my surgeon told me they would not do a valve replacement with the aneurysm there as there are risks of rupture while running the catheter. I had OH to repair my aneurysm but the valve was left in place as it showed almost no stenosis and was working well, it will need replacement at some point but now that my aneurysm is repaired the valve can be replaced endovascularly

@houston13 no, they recommend open heart surgery to do both the valve and replace the as ascending aorta.

@moonboy
You are an incredibly lucky man!

I just had successful surgery (11/4) of both my ascending aortic aneurysm and a bicuspid aortic value. It was open heart surgery. The bicuspid valve was a wild card for my surgeon (the scans were inconclusive and he and everyone on his team was convinced I had a normal tri-leaflet value). We did however discuss the chances of being bicuspid before surgery and decided to replace it with a bovine valve. But my surgeon made a game time decision (with the chest open) to repair the valve instead of replacing it in the hopes it lasts longer than a bovine valve. It made for a much longer surgery. So far so good.

Unfortunately for me I ran into some other complications post surgery that did not impact my heart. There was fluid build up in my right lung that required a second surgery (a VATS procedure to have all this gunk as they called it removed). Not to be a downer but after spending a week in one hospital for the heart surgery I had to go to another hospital for an elevated heart rate which led to the lung issue. 23 days in two separate hospitals with three procedures. Much more than I bargained for but I am still on this side of the grass.

@mleiva1234 life goes better from here, I know how hard it is right after surgery and I’m sorry it got complicated for you, but now your body will start healing and slowly take you back to normal life. I had my surgery 5 years ago, my bicuspid valve was also left in place as it was found to be highly functional and in the words of the surgeon, a functional natural bicuspid valve is better than any artificial valve he could replace it with. Build up of fluids is not uncommon, mine thank god were resolved with diuretics.

Wish you a speedy recovery !! And stay active!!!

@trrunalot Me too. Mayo told me to get mine done within the next 6 months.

I have a AAA 4.7 cm and bicuspid aorta. I have another CT Scan and ECHO, at UW in a few weeks. I also have autoimmune disorders including Sjogren. It can cause multiple systemic issues including inflammation of vessels. The cardiac surgeons haven't answered my questions if this complicates AAA and BA and need for sooner than later repair

@sherrylou51b

I also have a progressive AAA which grew from 4.3 cm to 4.7 in my last CT Scan and a bicuspid Aorta. Thursday I am scheduled for my next CT. I am 58 and have had 2 heart attacks. I'm 5'8' weigh 105 lbs, not diabetic, my cholesterol only 5 over and only started bp meds after my last heart attack but I keep it under 120/80, I do have a family history with severe heart issues. My uncle who is 63 is the oldest for 3 generations. I also have PAD from another congenital issue and my last scan showed my circulation was cut off in both legs.

I am now to the point getting up out of my chair is extreme and my max hours on my feet is only maybe 3 hrs a day. I've always been very active and the "Do It All'er" in my house, cooking, cleaning, laundry and worked, I'm a paralegal. My daughter has moved back home with me and her daddy to help, and that breaks my heart, although spending all my time with my kids and grandkids is the best way to spend my days I hate them taking care of me . Getting just days away from my scan has got me on edge. I don't want to discuss my worries with my fam but I've been kinda short fused. I live 50 miles from my Dr and hosp and to be honest I am VERY uncomfortable with my surgeon. He is who I will be putting my life in his hands and I don't feel good about him. I've found one I think I might feel better with if I can get an appt considering most drs in my area are not accepting new pts and I'm worried with my progression I may not have the time to find a different surgeon.

I have both AAA and aortic aneurysm of 4.6. Mild stenosis of valve. Also, have Sjogren dz which can cause inflammation of vessels. Incidental finding after pneumonia CT. Will have another CT and echo later this month, and appt with cardiac vascular surgeon.

@tabby67 surgeons normally don’t close for new patients as normally their patients are temporary, they see you before the surgery, during of course, and maybe 2 follow ups after and then unless there are other issues you don’t see them again. It is very important that you feel comfortable with your surgeon especially in something as critical as this, don’t be afraid of being accepted as a patient by one, that should never be an issue. Cardiologists are different, because they should follow you up for life but still should be able to see more patients.

Before surgery if you ever need it, they will do an angiogram to see if there’s anything else that will need repair while they have you open, in your case maybe fix blockages if you have any. The bicuspid valve will be replaced during surgery if it has deteriorated to the point it no longer functions properly, if it is still fairly healthy they sometimes prefer leaving it in place as functional bicuspid valve is better than any artificial valve. It all depends on many factors that are unique to each individual, your general health, family history, size, body size, etc all will determine if you are a candidate for surgery and when it would be recommended to be done.

As mentioned before mine was 5.2 when I had it repaired, I also have a bicuspid valve but it was left in place as it was highly functional. Now that the aneurysm is repaired, the valve can be replaced endovascularly (they won’t do that with an aneurysm due to the risk of rupture).

My advice is not to be afraid of finding the right surgeon (and cardiologist if you don’t have one that you trust) it is your right to get the best care possible.

All the best