Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

Hi @morgan44, welcome to Connect. I moved your message to this discussion thread to introduce you to other Connect members talking about the pros and cons of surgery. In fact @michellr just had surgery this week. Once she's feeling able, I hope she'll return to tell us how she is doing.

I'm also tagging @johnwburns @lynnkay1956 and @HeartPatches.

In the article, there are sections about treatment and self-management http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/thoracic-aortic-aneurysm/home/ovc-20122021

Are you considering surgery?

Talk about the success of "stint" to support "aneurysm of thoraci aorta" . Long term?

Welcome to Connect @grandmajan. I moved your message to this discussion thread so that you can meet other members talking about thoracic aortic aneurysms.

@johnwburns @lynnkay1956 @michellr I wonder if you have any input about long-term use of a stent?

@grandmajan - have you had surgery? Do you have a stent?

We all will respond differently to surgery, for my first surgery to repair a coarctation of the aorta, my body responded with lots of scar tissue. I wish a stint was available in 1978 for my first surgery. The repair formed an aneurysm in 2005 and again, another opening of the chest and one rib lost in the procedure as well. Would have been less invasive (stint) and today, 38 years later scar tissue is making my chest so tight and uncomfortable. If you can avoid opening the chest I would. Just my experience first hand.

Bruce

Thanks for your response.The Aneurysm was just discovered. I've been asking my Dr if my heart is ok for about 4 years while he's been treating my shortness of breath as Asthma.  Still have to see the specialist. (Thoracic Surgeon)  Since it's less than 5cm , he thinks maybe wait and watch. That makes me nervous. I'm on Xerelto now for a DVT,  Armor Thyroid, Mine was removed in the 70's, and Prednisone. <br>My BP is good tho very erratic. Pretty healthy and active.  I want to be informed before the Specialist visit to know what questions to ask.  <br>

Let us know what the treatment is in the long run. I am at risk for additional aneurysm's. Nice to hear treatment options that are less invasive. I didn't mention the 2 chest openings(surgeries) were also hard on left lung. They have to collapse the lung for room to work. After the last surgery, the lower lobe never reflated. And with additional scar tissue 10 years after the surgery, lung capacity is below 50% what I should have for my age bracket. In your position if you have time, new less invasive methods will be/are being developed. All the best to you.
Bruce

I had surgery for a thoracic aneurysm feb 15th. I DID Not NÉE A VALVE repair. I am in cardiac rehab & back to work. I had post op problem of diverticulitis.& still getting optical migraines. Neither of which i had before. Anyone else have these types of things?

I've not had any kind of surgery except for Thyroid removal in the 70's and Knee scope in the 80's. Have had Optical migraines since the mid 90's. They are only annoying, don't hurt, do interfere with my vision sometimes. They seem seem to be occurring more and more lately. But I'm short of breath more, is there a correlation?

I was jusr diagnosed with a 5.9 cm therasic arterial aneurysm. I am finding information that states its only a medium sise aneurysm. It still scares me. The VA found it last week but the cannot do the surgery.

Welcome to Connect @smithjss. I moved your message to this existing discussion thread (https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/thorcic-aneurysm/) about thoracic aortic aneurysms so that you can meet fellow members @grandmajan @ch246cf10 @michellr @johnwburns @lynnkay1956 and @HeartPatches. @jimmorris900 and @jend may also join us here on this discussion thread.

It is natural to feel afraid, but as you can read throughout the discussion, it is a condition that many people live well with. You may also wish to read this discussion https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/large-ascending-aorta-in-young-healthy-45-year-old-woman/

@smithjss what is your main fear or concern at the moment?