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Aorta: dilated vs aneurysm?

Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Apr 29 12:43pm | Replies (7)

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Profile picture for hsminc @hsminc

My husband's ascending aortic aneurysm varies depending on who measures it and what "points" they use to measure. It looks like that could be the case for you also.
When my husband's Mayo cardiothoracic surgeon measures it, he comes up with 4.6 cm. When the radiologist measures it, the value is 4.8; the echocardiograph reader says 5.1.
These are all done at Mayo Rochester looking at the same tests.
This surgeon pointed out that a lot depends on the "measurement points." You need to know what those points were in measuring your aneurysms. You may be on the cusp of needing surgery or surgery may not be in your future for years. I don't know but I sure would ask questions.
In reading some literature from the Cleveland Clinic, ascending aneurysms grow at .07 cm a year. My husband is 78. I asked when he would be too old to do a repair surgery. His surgeon said 85-86 depending on his physical health. He keeps his blood pressure low (below 120/80) and does not lift anything over 30 lbs.
My husband has a lipid abnormality (lp(a)) which means even though he keeps his total cholesterol very very low and all the lipid values are stellar, he still has a problem with atherogenesis.

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Replies to "My husband's ascending aortic aneurysm varies depending on who measures it and what "points" they use..."

@hsminc
Interesting............A post on this site from someone who is 77 y.o said a surgeon from the Cleveland Clinic said she was too old for aortic aneurysm surgery.