Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

tell me this any body that says to wait till it gets to a specific size, well are they going to be there for when it ruptures and you need life saving help?

Yes that was my reply to the dr, if it ruptures you will not make it to surgery little yet the hospital was the drs reply.

I would like to know how Mayos procedure is less invasive????????????????

this is in regard to my ascending aortic aneurysm.

i was discovered to have an aorta aneurysm in the fall of 2018. Cardiologist said it was 4.0, and the surgeon said it was 4.8. Both looked at the same tests. What is magical about the number 5.0?
I was informed Lucille Ball and John Ritter died of this.
I was told i will have will further tests in the fall of 2019. Is this a normal time frame? I also do not lift anything over 25 pounds. I still work out with lower weights and do more reps. I am 77 but feel like 50. Anything else i should be aware of?

Hi @mrmike @dbarselow,

It’s been well-confirmed that increased size of aortic aneurysms (AA) may serve as the most significant risk factor to foretell a high risk of rupture. However, I thought you might be interested in reading more about aortic aneurysms, and I also hope these facts will help alleviate some valid concerns.

– The goal of most therapy is to treat the aneurysm before rupture.
– When an aneurysm grows to 5.5 cm in men and 5 cm in women, these tend to be the sizes where surgery is actively considered.
– Your doctor's decision depends on the size of the aortic aneurysm and how fast it's growing.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20350193
– Most well-established studies have shown that the risk of rupture of small (1 cm/y) or symptoms develop.
– The low risk of rupture has prompted many surgeons to recommend a selective management policy where radiologic measurements are used until the aortic aneurysm meets size or growth criteria for repair.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0741521400850016
– Repair is always associated with other risks and complications. The risks and benefits of elective repair must be balanced against the risk of complications or death.
– Small non-operated aneurysms (6 cm).
– If endovascular repair proves to be durable and to have less mortality and morbidity than open repair, the threshold for intervention may be lowered even further.
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/abdominal-aortic-aneurysm-beyond-the-basics
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2698076

I had a dilated aortic root (where the aorta joins the atrium) 19 months ago. It was imaged at 5.2 CM but was actually 5.7 when the surgical graft was done. Big surgery which included a valve repair, but recovery was successful. I'm 73 years old-no picnic, but better than the alternative. My wife and I did some research while making the decision and the data indicate that roughly 40% of disections occur when dilatations are under 5.0. Made the decision for me a "no brainer." Serious decision, but worth the peace of mind IMO. Best of luck!

@yurkosolhan gee, I didn’t know of the 40% of rupture at under 5cm. Like so many of us, I discovered my 4cm asc.A while undergoing CT for a lung nodule, which was ordered because of a previous CT for a colon polyp caught sight of a lower lung area. Then, the additional diagnosis of AA threw me into a malestrom while recovering from colon surgery (was Benign Poly, thankfully).so, just retired during all this from a strenuous 30 years Of mail delivery, I now have the double edged sword of pondering my fate. But, at least I know my Achilles basic weakness. I hope, as others have said, just continue to walk, lift lightly, do yoga, and MOVE actively.i am only 65, and have always rode my bike nine or more miles with no problem, and am basically fit.

I didn't know about the 40% rupture either. We are in similar boats!

What a leaky ol’ Boat we’re in! But you know, keep on living and enjoying, we will be ok!