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Newly diagnosed and/or living with ascending aortic aneurysm…anxiety
Aortic Aneurysms | Last Active: Jul 2, 2023 | Replies (51)Comment receiving replies
I have had a rare celiac artery aneurysm for 3 years since it was discovered accidentally while performing a CT scan for some issue not related to aneurysms.
It measured 3 cm 3 years ago and I don’t know what the size is now. My cardiovascular surgeon gets annoyed frequently and this was no acception. The reason I had to see him was because a hospital said I have to go to a trauma hospital for emergency surgery due to my celiac artery being discovered and it had a tear on it. It was torn. The trauma hospital team debated admitting me but because it wasn’t bleeding that day I could be discharged with instructions that I see my own cardiovascular surgeon in ASAP. My doctor did a sonogram that I felt was not really the right way to look for it.
In any event he said “I didn’t see it” and “see you next year “ I said “could it burst and he said that it could “but we have ways to handle that” when? Bursts are quick and can be fatal so time is of the essence. I feel like a walking time bomb fearing it could happen anytime with nobody around.
What should I do? This guy is a jerk and I feel like a second opinion is warranted.
Replies to "I have had a rare celiac artery aneurysm for 3 years since it was discovered accidentally..."
I would definitely get a 2nd opinion like at Cleveland Clinic as they still are the number 1 hospital in cardiology. Mayo is 2nd. Mayo is great but I go to both places and I alternate my visits between the two clinics because they both see things quite differently in terms of when surgery should take place and even blood pressure control. I have a longer history at Mayo Clinic than Cleveland Clinic and I prefer Mayo Clinic for lots of reasons, but I bite the bullet and still go to Cleveland. They are number 1 for a reason and that's the volume of these surgeries they do. Plus they have twice the number of more cardiologists than Mayo Clinic, so it's a much bigger practice focus. Just like buying a car, I want to buy the car I love to look at or do I buy the car that's practical with better reliability data, etc. Mayo Clinic is the pretty car to me but Cleveland Clinic is the practical tried and true world renowned place to go to, at least to get a 2nd opinion consultation and compare both care plans from the top two cardiology hospitals in the country. Best wishes ❤
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No response? I am looking for opinions regarding what my next step should be.
I feel a change in cardiovascular surgeon is warranted to at least put me at ease if it’s stable or not and should I seek another opinion?
The 3 cm measurement was taken 3 years ago and no doctor has given me an answer as to the question of has it grown? Is it small?
To me a Celiac artery aneurysm of 5cm or more is the benchmark for surgery especially since I’m on a blood thinner. But does a torn aneurysm under 5 cm quality for surgery? Do you think I shouldn’t worry about it? Just looking for an opinion.