Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm

Hello-
My son (13) was diagnosed @ 11 with enlarged aorta root. I’m/he’s lucky he was diagnosed early. No Marfan was detected via genetic testing. He has a cardiologist & his primary physician are in-tuned with each other; but I feel I’m not doing enough.
I’ve read sooo much; my eyes are tired. I’m so scared for him. He’s a growing teenager & it’s difficult to keep him safe ( he wants & loves) to place sports, & flute, trumpet. How can I help him?

Bstrong,

Hello-

I simpaathize with you—
My son (13) was diagnosed @ 11 with enlarged aorta root. I’m/he’s lucky he was diagnosed early. No Marfan was detected via genetic testing. He has a cardiologist & his primary physician are in-tuned with each other; but I feel I’m not doing enough.
I’ve read sooo much; my eyes are tired. I’m so scared for him. He’s a growing teenager & it’s difficult to keep him safe ( he wants & loves) to place sports, & flute, trumpet. I wondered How can I help him?

Be proactive with your health and get second and third opinions.
Bstrong,

Mine is 6.1 cm and I am 80 years old. I have no symptoms, but I have CT scan every year. Latest was at Cedars Sinai in L.A. and the doctor advised me to have it done every 3 month. My local cardiologist, Eisenhower hospital , Rancho Mirage, thinks I am doing ok. The dissecting aneurysm happened in 1996 and has been growing very slowly. 13 years old is very young to have this. Exercising is important, but be careful with heavy weights. I still swim, bike and lift weights, but only maybe a quarter from what I used to do. So far so good. Any good advice for me? Ax.

I have a celiac artery aneurysm and stenosis. It was diagnosed Dec. 2017. (I posted about this before.) Last Dec. this caused a splenic infarction. I have done well but in the last few weeks have had pain in my right chest under the ribs, up my neck and at times under my shoulder blades. There is tightness in my left upper quadrant occasionally with some nausea. My doctor wants to do a CT scan but I wonder if this is just what we live with and I don't want to do unnecessary test. Has anyone else had this experience?

@marylisa I do not have any information or advice regarding your condition but if your MD suggests a CT scan, just remember that you are paying him/her and putting your trust in him/her to take care of you. If your MD feels a CT will help with diagnosis, I suggest you take that advice and give your MD all the tools needed to help in your care. I wish you well.

Can anybody comment on the difference between measurements of the ascending and descending aneurysm? Mine is 4.2 and 6.1. At my local hospital, Rancho Mirage, Ca. the procedure cannot be performed. I went to Cedars in L.A. and had a C.T. Scan done. The cardiologist told me as long as I do not have symptoms it should be checked every three month. Since 1996 the aaa has grown very slow. They are working on an evaluation of the Gore Tag Thoracic Branch Endoprosthesis ( TBE ) device in the treatment of the aortic arch and descending thoracic aorta. I have filled out the forms, but do not know yet if I would be a candidate. Maybe Medicare would not even pay for this, or if it would be worth the procedure at my age. ( 80 ) Or
cross my fingers and let nature take care of it.

@peewee, I think at least some of the difference in your CT scan and your ultrasound aneurysm is due to the way the measurement is done. I believe CT measures directly across the aneurysm and the ultrasound measures on a bias so will always measure a little bit bigger even when the aneurysm hasn't changed in size. Also, different technicians may measure differently to a slight degree. I think you could ask your cardio about this.

Hey everyone my name is Anna I'm 27 and was just diagnosed with about a cm in diameter stomach aneurysm. I am terrified I have two kids and a fiance I dont want to leave behind can anyone tell me anything good. I am so scared Im gonna die before I'm 40

@annak1691 Hi Anna,

First, take a deep breath. Are you referring to an abdominal aortic aneurysm? Is it ascending or descending? How big is it? Or are you referring to a different type of aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm is usually defined as an outer aortic diameter over 3 cm (normal diameter of the aorta is around 2 cm), or more than 50% of normal diameter. If the outer diameter exceeds 5.5 cm, the aneurysm is considered to be large. I was diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm of 3.8 cm in 2008. Ten years later, I am still here and the aneurysm is stable at 3.9 cm. It is being monitored and if it gets about 5 cm, I am sure my cardio will be talking to me about repairing it. In the meantime, I take care to not lift items heavier than 25 lbs.

All I know is my doctor said its a stomach aneurysm that is about 3 cm in diameter thats all she told me but I'm going to call her Monday and see if I can find out more about it.