Ascending thoracic aneurysm: What should I do and not do?

Luckily, most of my problems are behind, I received two stents after my HA in 2009, recovered fully from my stroke after a TKR in 2018 and my COPD is very mild, occasionally requiring a puff from my inhaler. I will be seeing y cardio MD on 1/13 to further assess the leaky valve, which was examined by a camera and found not sufficiently bad to operate. That leaves my TAA as the worst of my conditions at 5.1. So, when i say I am in good health generally, I think I am. Unfortunately, I am not near a Mayo clinic here in Virginia. .thanks so much for your concern I will report findings next month. Merry Christmas or happy holiday to all on this forum.

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Hey there all. I’m a male, 6’4”. I was originally diagnosed with ectasia of the ascending aorta (3.9) when I was 42. That was 12 yrs ago and it was a CT. Fast forward to last week, admitted to the hospital with A fib. Echocardiogram measures the now aneurysm at 4.9. Following up with cardiologist next week, but a little freaked out. I’m assuming they will want a new CT, a plan to monitor, along with lifestyle and medication changes. No problem making those changes, just worried where this all goes. I’m only 54.

Just from experience, I think a BAV is Bicuspid valve right? When you get that repaired make sure they repair the aneurysm! They didn't for husband 20 yrs ago and now recommendations are to do 2nd open heart to fix aneurysm. They do it routinely with BAV at Mayo now. Mayo always has time! It's worth your travel in our experience. Good luck

@rms, @kitspiers, @cass57 and all...well, folks, I'll share a bit of my story and thoughts. I also have an ascending aorta aneurysm, and just for fun they just found a tiny little splenic aneurysm. I saw a vascular surgeon last week at Mayo Florida.

Doc said the splenic aneurysm is ti y, very rare and operated by endoscope when it gets to 2 cm. It's less than 1 cm now,now, I may never have an issue. Nothing to do as I already live like a female monk!

I'll have an annual CT to ck both.

The thoracic aneurysm is currently at 48. When it gets to 5, Mayo will do surgery. There are 2 types of surgery for me for this. Open and endo. I will not survive open heart surgery. So, if it grows to 5 my only option in through a vein to the repair. Not sure that would be viable, so I may be in a pooh situation. That's next year...

I must keep BP under control, no anger or whatever, calm and walking as can and therapy pool 2x weekly for conditioning. I don't drink darn it. Smoke only 1x year a very good Igarashi which made the doc laugh....and agreed that was just fine.

I wonder if your aneurysm is at 5ish, if it would be feasible for you to contact Mayo Florida and come for a visit to the sunshine state. Or Rochester if you like. Or, Duke or another large medical center. Your heart and your life are worth taking control of your medical situation and getting to a special medical center for care. You are worth it. May add several good years to your life.

Hope some of this helps someone, makes your journey easier. Be blessed...elizabeth

@rms and all...oops. once a year I smoke a very good CIGAR! My laptop is broken and using g stupid phone...hard to type!
Elizabeth

Thank you for sharing your info. I have read that if the thoracic aneurysm is in your descending aorta then through the groin is safe. However, ascending aorta is not FDA approved yet ... But if you cannot survive a trip through the sternum then it can happen that way too but much more difficult. I hope yours is in your descending aorta- bottom part of heart- if so, please consider surgery because they have done many endo!! Cleveland clinic is doing a lot of them. Mayo has been fantastic for AVR - Rochester. Overall heart care got switched to U of Iowa after an accident 2 yrs ago. Im not as confident but nervous because this ascending aortic aneurysm has not increased in 18 yrs until last 6 months went from 4.6 to 4.8 and now 5.2 so seems gotta do it and probably soon. Ug!! Been 22 yrs since open heart and not looking forward to that sternum opening again. Be well and thanks for sharing!

@kitspeirs, @rms, @cass57 and all..Your info is helpful, concerning to me. My precious aneurysm is ascending thoracic...grrrrr...48, growing some and with vasculitis it may be weaker. It's lengthening as well. So, yuck.

I see you having the surgery and recovery well. I'm not sure the same vision shines over my sternum. At 76, with multiple issues, several in serious category, I don't think the open surgery is possible. But, that is not a decision for today. Like Scarlette said, I'll think about that tomorrow. I have a plateful now that keeps me super busy...and, I've learned the last couple of years to accept where I am, who I am, the body I have. May not be pleased with what I see, but I do accept it is.

Had a wonderful pool time yesterday. 95 degree water is like velvet on my skin, and I actually relaxed so deeply I had trouble walking. Amazing. If at all possible, available, I highly recommend a pt therapy pool for -relaxation of muscles deeply tight from years of anxiety and damage and misuse, mind too often filled with fears and what-ifs and rage at the pain from life, joints so painful from age and damage and misuse, and emotions so confused and heightened from all the above. I relaxed, thoroughly, through and through. Try it or do something similar just for you.

B blessings, elizabeth

I wanted to express my heartfelt thanks for this comment, @pete398
I read it when I was first diagnosed 2 months ago. It gave me great comfort then and continues to do so. The most impactful line was, "enjoy however much of life you have left." This has become a daily mantra for me that I repeat to myself over and over and try to stop stressing over things in typical Type A fashion. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
-Suz1950