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Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: May 11, 2023 | Replies (247)Comment receiving replies
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.
Replies to "I was first diagnosed with a 4.4 thoracic aneurysm in 2009. It has grown slowly and..."
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!
Hello @noram,
It is natural to feel afraid; there are so many factors to consider! Stress can induce certain conditions, but please don't ignore your symptoms; do have them checked out to rule out any other factors.
I'm also like tagging @DiannaTV, @lynnkay1956, @HeartPatches, @laverne, who may return with some more insight.
I would encourage you to view this webinar where Mayo Clinic's Dr. Juan M. Bowen, Dr David R. Deyle, Dr Alberto Pochettino, cardiovascular surgeon, discuss optimal timing for thoracic aorta repair: http://mayocl.in/2j2H7uV
@noram, the Connect community is here for you to lean on, so I hope you continue to share your thoughts and ask questions with people who share similar life situations.
Do you have other siblings besides your brother. My mother and 5 of us children have had abdominal aortic aneurysm's so it is hereditary just like they say. I am the youngest and was able to have mine followed for about 10 years before they put a stent in. The others all had to be opened up. What I'm getting at is to get any other brothers or sisters to get checked. We are encouraging all the nieces and nephews to get checked too. I am 78 and all of my children and nieces and nephews are in their 50's and 60's. Today I am having surgery to reline about 10 inches of my thoracic aorta starting just below the arch. I am lucky again and the repair will be through the groin. Did not expect to be having another problem with my aorta but I guess this is not unusual. I hope others can answer your questions about your chest pain and cough.
No other siblings but have warned my two children about this. Good luck to you. I think you will find the surgery to be easier than you think. I dreaded the open heart surgery but it was easier than I imagined. Very little pain and the pain there was was from the incision. All the best!
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@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.