← Return to Early surgery: Can I get aortic aneurysm repair before it's 5.0?

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@jgreenwalt

What about the Endovascular (TEVAR) procedure? I've been reading about this procedure and it seems to be much less invasive. Like so many people in this forum, my aneurism diagnosis (even though it's under 5 cm) has really changed how I live my life and if this was a treatment option now, I'd probably do it.

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Replies to "What about the Endovascular (TEVAR) procedure? I've been reading about this procedure and it seems to..."

I've been told an operation can be dangerous so best to wait. I have waited and now i am close to an operation and older than when it was first diagnosed. I would have preferred an operation earlier but i am not the surgeon. I hope they know what they are doing. They tell you to avoid stress, in this world? Good luck with that, and also not to lift over 50 pounds. That gives me a good excuse at the gym

My Ascending aortic aneurysm is 4.2 cm. From the research I've done, ascending aortic aneurysms are repaired through traditional open surgery. EVAR has been used in rare emergencies. It was developed for descending aortic aneurysms. The anatomy and blood pressures of the ascending and descending aorta differ.
I was just diagnosed in September when my aneurysm displaced the large vessels in my chest and I could feel my right brachiocephalic artery at the base of my neck.
No one wants this diagnosis, but I'm grateful to have it. We were all just walking around with these things growing in our chests. Of course we have to make changes to our lives, but I think I'd rather have this diagnosis, than a diagnosis of cancer. It's a waiting game. You see your cardiologist. You have your scans. You watch and you wait. There are advancements in medical technology all the time. I'm hoping that by the time most of us are ready for surgery, there will be an easier method. Descending aortic aneurysms used to be repaired with open surgery.
Since my diagnosis is fairly new, I don't know how long it took to get to this size or how fast it's growing. My next cardiology appointment is April. I hope that it is slow growing and that I never have to have surgery.
Prayers and well wishes to all.