Aortic aneurysm measurements

Good question. I'd guess that typically people refer to the ascending aorta if it is ascending/root. People get aneurysms in the descending and abdominal aorta too. From what I've read, some people get aneurysms of only the root, some of only the ascending portion, and some get both. For myself, both the root and the ascending portion are enlarged. The root is a couple of millimeters smaller than the ascending portion.

I'd also guess that some people aren't sure because they may only have the information that their doctor gave to them, which may not include which portion is enlarged -- only the largest dimension.

If you go to start reading about it, the root and the ascending portion appear to be very different things. You can get information about either.

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Thank you for detailed info.
When people say ‘my aneurysm is 4.3’ refers to the ‘aortic root diameter’ ? Or ?
Thanks

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I asked ChatGPT to give some common abbreviations used in an echocardiogram of the heart. It says:

Abbreviations commonly used on an echocardiogram report of the heart include:
LA: Left Atrium
RA: Right Atrium
LV: Left Ventricle
RV: Right Ventricle
IVS: Interventricular Septum
IVC: Inferior Vena Cava
Ao: Aorta
AV: Atrioventricular
MV: Mitral Valve
TV: Tricuspid Valve
PV: Pulmonary Valve
EF: Ejection Fraction
FS: Fractional Shortening
E/A Ratio: Ratio of early (E) to late (A) ventricular filling velocities
DT: Deceleration Time (related to mitral inflow pattern)
IVRT: Isovolumic Relaxation Time
PW Doppler: Pulsed-Wave Doppler
CW Doppler: Continuous-Wave Doppler
TR: Tricuspid Regurgitation
MR: Mitral Regurgitation
AS: Aortic Stenosis
AR: Aortic Regurgitation
PS: Pulmonary Stenosis
PR: Pulmonary Regurgitation
TEE: Transesophageal Echocardiogram

Here's what it says about Ao PG:

In an echocardiogram report, "Ao PG" typically refers to the pressure gradient across the aortic valve. Here's what each part of the abbreviation stands for:

Ao: Aorta
PG: Pressure Gradient
The pressure gradient across the aortic valve is an important parameter measured during an echocardiogram to assess the severity of aortic valve stenosis (narrowing). It represents the difference in pressure between the left ventricle (LV) and the aorta during systole (when the heart is contracting).

Aortic stenosis leads to increased resistance to blood flow from the LV into the aorta during systole. The pressure gradient across the aortic valve is calculated based on the velocity of blood flow measured using Doppler ultrasound. A higher pressure gradient typically indicates more severe narrowing of the aortic valve, which can have implications for treatment decisions and prognosis.

I know that ChatGPT can be very unreliable. Yet, this may be a starting point to find out whether the abbreviations it gives are correct.

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Not really. I stick what was in the echo
Most people say the number but not which are, if the root, gradient or whatever.
Anyway thank you for asking.
Seeing my cardiologist in November and will ask then.

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I just ran across your post about your echocardiogram results. Were you able to figure it out? Hopefully with a visit to your cardiologist?

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My cardiologist talked about how you get different measurements based on the angle of the echo. I restore cars and the limit on what I can lift, push or pull has really slowed me down. I used to cut and split all of my firewood, can’t do that anymore either. I just turned 60 and was hoping for at least another 20 years. Both parents died in their late 80’s so I thought another 20 would be reasonable. Since the discovery of the aneurysm I’ve been diagnosed with hairy cell leukemia also. I’ve come to the conclusion that life is a crapshoot. I wish you had options other than going to a nursing home. My parents both died at home while still active.

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CT scans carry a lot of radiation. I doubt insurance would cover MRI's every 6 months. Usually aortic aneurysms are slow growing. An echocardiogram might be covered every 6 months, carries no radiation and provides much the same info. Just recognize that the scan and the echo measure the size differently -- one straight across and the other on a slant so compare apples to apples when evaluating the result. I can't remember which measures which way.

My aneurysm was diagnosed at 3.8 in 2007. It is 4.2or 4.3 now. I'm 79 so I expect to die of something other than the aneurysm although if it looks like I am headed to a nursing home, I intend to start lifting heavy weights to blow the aneurysm. I'm really not kidding.

I wish you good luck.

Donna

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Not knowing is the worst. My last measurement was 4.3 and I would much prefer getting a scan every 6 months instead of 12-14 months. I honestly wish they would just fix it.

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He retired about 6 months ago thank God. My cardiologist who belongs to a group practice calling themselves "cardiovascular group of New England” is seeing me and even though I blew him off for 2 years is going to look at it because “ how do you know that’s it’s not a 5cm and with a tear in it and being on blood thinners is dangerous. I’m seeing him next week. It could be small or large. I just want to know.

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