Do I need prompt surgery for a 5.2 cm AAA or a second opinion?

Immediately get a second opinion. I dissected suddenly in 2015 when I was 50 years old. I am VERY lucky to have survived. The dull pains are a bad sign. Second opinion from a thoracic surgeon who specializes in aortic repair. Go to Mayo, UCSD, UCLA, U of Minnesota, Baylor, U of Texas, Cedars, Cleveland, etc. Get seen at a major medical center with aortic expertise.

Aortic Dissection = Rupture = Very low survivability at age 60.
Peace.

Hi, I agree with Moonboy. Get a 2nd opinion ASAP. Surgery is recommended between 5 and 5.5 cm depending upon your health. My father had an aneurysm, so my surgeon said he'll probably do mine when it hits 5 cm.

@rel1203
If I were you I’d at minimum get a second opinion. My husband had a AAA that was being monitored since we found it about 3-4 years ago. His reached 5.2 and he had EVAR surgery about 6 weeks ago. The threshold used to be surgery at 5.5 cm but that has been revised to 5.0 cm according to his cardiovascular surgeon located at a huge teaching hospital, Froedtert Hospital which is part of the Medical College of Wisconsin and does thousands of these procedures a year. I’d be concerned that your surgeon was going to do the surgery and then changed his mind. We had a similar situation and that’s when we switched over to Froedtert. Good luck to you.

@cdt55 I was just diagnosed with an 6cm AAA. Is it urgent that I get surgery?

@moonboy so based on your experience, go to a specialty hospital and not a local vascular surgeon? I was just told I have a 6cm AAA. Should I act quickly?

Not be be overly dramatic, but when I hear someone has reached the 6-centimeter mark, I go right back to my own moment in 2015 when my aorta tore open without warning. I remember feeling the unmistakable sense that something catastrophic had happened inside my chest, and within seconds I was on the pavement outside my hotel, waiting to be found. I survived because a team that handles these cases every day got hold of me fast at UCSD La Jolla. That matters more than people realize.

For an ascending aortic aneurysm at 6 cm, this is the point where acting quickly is the safest path. You don’t have to panic, but you shouldn’t sit on it. You want a center or surgeon who deals with complex aortic repairs routinely, not someone who does them occasionally. High-volume aortic programs—major academic centers or specialty aortic institutes—have the experience, the imaging precision, and the post-op protocols that give you the best margin of safety.

Local vascular surgeons can be excellent, but what saved me was being in the hands of a team that treats these problems all the time. When the aorta is involved, experience isn’t a luxury. It’s the difference between controlled repair and crisis. Yes, act quickly. Get evaluated at a specialty hospital. Let the people who live and breathe this work lay out your options. Knowing what’s happening inside you gives you power over it, and you’re catching this before it announces itself the way mine did. Peace.

@jrcollins999 Yes. To confirm, are you referring to an Ascending Aortic Aneurysm (normally referred to as a TAA not an AAA) and not an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm? If you are referring to an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm, then the 5-5.5cm size might be incorrect. This forum thread is specific for TAAs. There are other threads for AAAs. Hope this helps.

Without a "me too" to @moonboy 's message, but me too !
I was not aware that i had an aneurysm of 6.5cm and one night my aorta dissected at midnight. Luckily my wife was able to drive me to the hospital after ambulance failed to arrive at my home. While I lay dying on the back seat she got me there in 12 minutes. Then I walked myself into the ED clutching my chest and writhing in agony. I had immediate surgery that took over 9 hours.
Not prepared. Not ready. Lying on the ED triage bed in shock.
You have some time, so you must use it wisely and fast. Talk to surgeons now and get an expert opinion.

@cdt55 I am referring to an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm. thanks for the advice on the thread.

@martinkennot did you have an abdominal aortic aneurysm or an ascending aortic aneurysm? Wow! It is amazing you survived! Your wife saved your life. You were at 6.5cm and it dissected? I am at 6.2cm and am hoping I can get surgery scheduled ASAP once I meet with the surgeon. I have the abdominal variety.....