Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm with Chronic Kidney Disease

Posted by tvstahl @tvstahl, May 31, 2023

I have a thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) (5.6cm) and Stage 4 chronic kidney disease (pre-dialysis). Both are getting serious at the same time. I was advised in April, after 3 mm growth in 6 months, that it is time for surgery. What I read, though, tells me that the difficulties of aorta repair surgery get much bigger with the kidney issue, with 1 yr life expectancy (according to one study) as low as 50/50. Anybody with a similar situation ? Thinking of second opinion from Mayo ?

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JT1959 | @jefftalley | May 31, 2023

First of all, I am sorry to hear of your medical challenges. Getting to a top flight facility like Mayo for a second opinion makes a lot of sense. I am in Central Florida with a thoracic aneurysm of 4.8 or 5.0 cm depending on how it’s measured. I am seeing someone at Mayo Jacksonville so when the time comes for my surgery I will be in their system. Everything I have read indicates that an aortic repair should be done at a highly respected, high volume facility.

Myak | @janet23 | May 31, 2023

I self referred myself to Mayo, Rochester in January 2022 for a second opinion for my health issues - ascending aortic aneurysm (4.5 cm), arrhythmias, CKD, sleep apnea, and hypoxia. I was very sick. I asked to see Dr. Michelena in Cardiology who specializes in aortic disease. He is wonderful and I highly recommend seeing him for a second opinion. He referred me Dr. Pochettino (aortic surgeon), Cath Lab (Dr Borlaug), Pulmonary, ENT, Nephrology, and Endocrinology. All the specialists were exceptional.

I was worried about my declining kidney function, but I learned from Dr. Hogan in Nephrology my eGFR is 67 instead of 54 which showed on my lab test at home. She said the following equation is more accurate for me using cystain C and serum creatinine.
https://www.kidney.org/professionals/KDOQI/gfr_calculator
Mayo extensive testing found a few other issues that need follow up, and I am returning in Sept 2023.

I had previously been told at home that I was high risk for aortic surgery because of my pulmonary issues and low renal function. I now have hope that I can be successfully treated.

Best of luck to you.

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