Ascending Aortic Dilation - Ascending Aortic Aneurysm

I certainly wish there were a different way of measuring the size of an aneurysm, or, better yet, one I can understand. As my last CT Scan report stated a larger size than the previous year, I was so alarmed I later called the cardiology department nurse to ask for an explanation and the answer I received was so ambiguous & confusing it was apparent it was a search for a reply. When I'm told not to worry when I see the size getting larger, its very hard not to become even more frightened than what I already am. Can anyone offer a reasonable answer?

no, i had three different numbers from the same reading. Surgeon told me he reads it different. What i keep hearing is pain attention to a pain in the back or chest and hope your near a hospital.

I can’t explain measuring process but I understand the worrying factor completely. Mine was 10.5 when first detected and I had an endovascular stent procedure 3 weeks later. I was scared to death. I do think that medical personnel are really pretty tuned in to which ones present imminent danger. It’s stressful but monitoring it is a good thing.

I agree - monitoring is so important. Thanks for responding skeeter75!

i was told 4.0 or 4.6 or 4.8. Read by 3 people. Did the scan again and now its 4.6-4.8. Ok, do it agai in another year they say. Ok, lets do that and go about my life. Stress does me no good. Have noticed my BP is lower with that attitude the going bonkers. Your choice.

I glad you share your information. I don’t know what’s going on I myself was told i Have a ascending aorta was 3.3 from a ct scan with contrast. And it was negative with no aneurysm or other finding. But I had a echo done before then saying it was 3.7. I’m so confused. Just wanted to know how you are dealing with this. I will be seeing a cardiologist doctor to tell me more about this

@latrisha @rory The measurements for the CT scan of the aorta and the echocardiogram of the aorta are not done the same way. One is measured on the bias and the other is measured straight across. So you can't compare the two measurements from different tests as they won't be identical. I believe the CT scan is the more accurate test but it carries a lot of radiation. Most cardios will follow an aneurysm through echocardiograms which have no radiation. Rory, I am guessing your cardio is suggesting an echo in 6 months so he/she can determine the stability of the aneurysm. Latrisha, it looks like you got very good news and may not have an aneurysm at all.

I just found out my favorite local musician is going in for open-heart on an AA. And his friend, on Facebook mentioned that he had just had the surgery too. So I started messaging that friend and found out that they discovered his because he had a heart murmur. It was immediately scanned and scanned again so six months later and they decided they needed emergency operation for him because it grew so fast !They told him that he would not live six months more with it! But he is very lucky they discovered him at the point he was already at! And he’s fine now, better than ever. He did mention something about ask the doctor if you can “preserve the aorta”:By that he means keep your old aorta and not replace with a pig tissue. Apparently those grafts have to be replaced in 18 years.

And I believe having the aortic valve replaced means being on a blood thinner for the rest of one's life so yes, preserve the aortic valve if at all possible. Being on a blood thinner just makes life all the more complicated.

Hello @degarden_girl

It is my understanding that blood thinners are only required if a mechanical valve is used. If an animal valve is used (most likely a pig valve) blood thinners are not typically needed. However, each person's situation might be different. The cardiologist doing the surgery would be the one to make that decision.