Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

Once you have the surgery are we more at risk for more aneurysms? Is there any info on how long the replacement lasts?

Your words so true.......I had all the confidence possible in Dr. Pochettino and my fractured ankle has caused me more problems than the aortic surgery! I'm 78 and came thru the surgery just fine, friends and relatives were amazed. Mayo nurses are wonderful. Was replying to the gentleman that stated how proficient the Mayo teams are in getting you back into a normal life.

Welcome back @morninglory. How are you doing? How did the cardiac rehab go?

I'm doing fine. I never had cardiac rehab as Medicare would not cover it because my aorta replacement did not go inside the heart, it was on the curve. Think it's a strange decision as I was in open heart surgery for 10 hours. Tried contacting different sources but found no assistance regarding the lack of Medicare coverage. Broke my ankle hiking by falling into a nest of some kind covered by grasses. Hoping to start pulmonary function rehab soon as breathing has been an issue lately but I did go into my surgery with COPD to start with so am assuming this is not unusual. Onward and upward, can barely wait until I can start aoerbics again, missing the exercise classes so much.

Thank you for the post

I was first diagnosed with a 4.4 thoracic aneurysm in 2009. It has grown slowly and reached 4.6 in 2016. I am told this could be due to differences in measurement and it may not have changed at all. I currently travel once a year to the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. I am considering switching to Marshfield Clinic as it is much closer. When I was first diagnosed, I asked my doctor right out if the aneurysm could remain stable and I would never need surgery. He shook his head no. He said I would definitely need surgery at some point. Years have passed since then and now I am not sure what he thinks. I am also unclear when he plans to operate. Sometimes he says probably 5.0 but has also mentioned 5.5. Cleveland is over 8 hours from where I live so I only connect once a year. The remainder of the year I am on my own. I have actually begun to relax and accept my condition until recently. This month my oldest brother was diagnosed with the same type of aneurysm. We are awaiting further testing. A few days ago my closest friend underwent surgery for the same aneurysm at 4.6. He made it through the surgery but died the day he was moved from ICU. Once again I find myself feeling very alone and stressed. Seems like I am always getting pains in my chest and have a deep hoarse cough most of the time. Is this normal or just because I am stressing? So thrilled to find this thread.

@I went thru this surgery at the very end of July at Mayo in Rochester and all went very well. I am a very Senior citizen and if I can make it thru the operation so successfully so can you. You must have confidence in your surgeon, that is very important. I cannot praise the Mayo surgeon and assistants and nurses enough. They were wonderful, I never doubted I would be up and back on my feet in no time. Just follow their directions and be patient with yourself. That's a lesson I'm still learning.

To crhp:
I, too was diagnosed with aortic giant cell arteritis as a possible cause of my aneurysm, I am on prednisone as treatment for that. Were you also put on prednisone and if so did it resolve the problem? I have found that being on it causes me to have a ferocious appetite and have put on several unwanted pounds. Any info appreciated.

Apparently it takes a year to find out if the prednisone treatment works. I started in August of 2016 so I have some time to finish the treatment. I was also put on methotrexate to combat the immune system. Started prednisone at 40 mg. Now I am down to 9mg, decreasing each month by 1mg now. I was absolutely starving when I was on 40mg but now I find that has ended. I gained unwanted pounds too but find now I am beginning to lose since I am not starving anymore. Wish I could give you a better answer but I won't know for a while if the treatment has worked. I do return to Mayo in February for an MRA. I have been switched from cardiac surgery to,rheumatology for the giant cell arteritis.

Your aneurysm seems to be slow growing. i have a another aneurysm that the doctors knew about before my first surgery. That one is about 4.5. Mayo has elected not to operate on that one unless it grows a lot. Doctors say I may never need surgery on that one. So I think and (I am no doctor) that your doctor is doing the correct thing. I still have some pains but not long lasting. Sorry I cannot be more help but your doctor seems to be correct. Good luck to you!