Help Understanding First/One-year Size Monitoring Scan

Thanks for sharing that information. So good to hear. I’m seeing a surgeon at Mayo Clinic in Florida. But, I was wondering if I should have a consultation at Cleveland Clinic before I have to make the decision.

I had my surgery done at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix. Very thorough, and very professional

My doctor said that 2to 3 cm is not a big deal in margins error with the scans or tests. I have had the same for many years, lost count and started at 4:2 and now it’s at 4:5 in last check but not worrying. My momma has had an aneurysm in her brain started when she was in her 70s now she’s 93 and still alive. Just love life and leave the rest to God. “All the days ordained for you was written in His book before one of them came into being”. Psalm 139:16

Congratulations on your successful surgery. What a relief that must be for you. I can only pray for that outcome. Where did you choose to have your surgery performed? God bless!

It's always reassuring to hear stories from folks that have had a successful surgery. I am kind of wondering whether the root is a concern. In the initial coronary CTA, the root was smaller than the ascending aorta. Hoping that is still the case. I've seen a little bit here and there that aneurysms of the root may be problematic at smaller sizes than the ascending aorta.

Glad everything went well for you!! Thanks for posting!

I had a sinus of valsalva aneurysm, between where the aorta meets the heart and just below the coronary artery.
It measured 5.2cm for over a year with no change. I elected to have surgery because there were 2 threats, rupture and if it grew any it may pinch the coronary artery and cause a heart attack.
Once in to correct the problem the surgeon noted it was larger than originally discussed.
It has been 5+ weeks now and I am starting to get back to my normal routine, feeling better and stronger everyday.
It is a process, but I am very happy that I did this.

@mplopez5 Thanks for your input. I've continued to search and I'm pretty sure the margin of error in the measurement is at least a couple of millimeters. Yet, I guess the surgeons have to work within this regardless. I found a YouTube video in which a vascular surgeon described his process for deciding when to intervene surgically. I should have bookmarked it.

I'm overthinking the reasons behind this meeting, but I am guessing he may be using what seems to be an increasingly used measure of risk: aortic cross-sectional area to height. (An overview is here: https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/improving-risk-stratification-dilated-aorta-trileaflet-aortic-valve/.) By that measure, I might be at non-trivial risk. We'll see. I can live with whatever is the outcome of the meeting. I don't think I'm at high absolute risk regardless and the wave of panic has subsided. 🙂

The scan measurments can vary based on angle. I had a similar questions. My cardiologist indicted the aortic root and accending artery near the root are harder to get a clean picture based on angle of the shot.

I to, am glad your appointment is coming up. 🌸

Glad your appt is coming up. Take care