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I have a 4.8 cm ascending aorta aneurysm
I just found this forum and I'm glad I can share with people who are experiencing the same thing. Any guidance on how to live a full life while dealing with the watch and wait approach?
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My husband's ascending aneurysm is 4.9 with absolutely no symptoms and was discovered in a checkup. After the discovery and a CT scan, he did see, with me along with him, a thoracic cardiovascular surgeon. Since my husband has been so physically active (Peloton super high speed, weights, outdoor hiking) and was told that to be safe his is now restricted on how much he may do, we have together decided that he will be much better if he goes ahead and does the removal. That's not to say that I'm not scared--this kind of serious surgery sets off alarm bells; so I am quite anxious. Surgery happens in five days from this writing.
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4 ReactionsWhilst waiting for the Watch and Wait period,I have lived with a 59mm AAA,
I do not excersise just gentle walking is sufficient,do not lift anything heavier than 20 lbs.do not strain when on the toilet. Take any medication the same time every day. This has worked for me for approximately five years, As my AAA is inoperable,so I’m hoping this will keep me alive as long as possible.
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3 Reactions@dew88 Consider Cedars Sinai in Los Angeles. My husband was scheduled immediately and he is 77 years old. The cardio center is considered the best in the world--and his physician has a video where he states that if you have been refused elsewhere, he's the one to call.
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2 Reactions@marytabor
That’s where I had my surgery two and half years ago. Great result and care. I was 76 at the time but met older aneurysm patients “on my floor.” Wonderful care, my surgeon was one of several there who specializes in aneurysms. I am fortunate to live several hours away from Cedars.
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3 Reactions@wpb Thank you! xx
@marytabor wondering how old your husband is? I had a calcium test score (Rayus radiology) done last year…and my doctor claimed that that wasn’t as accurate as an echocardiogram. There was a difference in measurements.
My husband is 77 years old and had echocardiograms and two CT scans, the last one was more accurate because the cardiovascular and thoracic surgeon had them measure a different way and the aneurysm cam out to 4.9; thus, we together decided that he should have the surgery because he is so fit and because, to prevent bursting, his exercise has had to be cut way back. So, calculating, if that's the right word, the risks of not doing it versus doing it with all the alarm bells caused us to choose the surgery to give him a fuller longer life. And the surgeon at Cedars Sinai is the chief of the whole department.
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3 ReactionsMine is 5.3 and I’m 66 and was told to continue with my regular life but not to strain myself that I would need a operation by end of year they monitor it and said ounce it get to 5.5 I will have a operation and that the chances of it bursting was 0.04% so yes a chance but very low so I still work 23 hour shift and probably walk around 8 to 12 miles a night
@leehorne meet to say 12 night shift not 23🤣🤣
@leehorne
Who/where did you consult? Frankly, I think they are pushing the envelope because there can be issues other than age that can come into play. I can't see Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Duke, etc. o.k. with that. The 5.5 thing is kind of out dated and usually considered o.k. mostly at low volume centers. The hospital and cardiologists in Tallahassee told me that in Jan 2024 and I ended up at Mayo in Jacksonville in July 22, 2024, unsuccessful angiogram with possible intervention on Aug 6, 2024, Interventional radiology procedure on Dec 4, 2024 to setup open heart surgery on Sep 10, 2024 that went for 14 and a half hours. The local guys missed a lot. I wouldn't have made it to Jan 2025. My mid ascending aorta was at 4.7cm and aortic root was at 4.8cm at that time. However, I had an aneurysm on the CONUS branch of the right coronary artery, complex coronary fistula from the RCA to pulmonary artery which also had connections from the LAD to the pulmonary artery and a 100% chronically blocked mid LAD. This was completely missed by the Tallahassee bunch and even if they had a clue, wouldn't have been able to do anything. The complex fistula was congenital but was undetected until I was 60 which could have killed me as a kid. It had reduced the flow to the LAD during activity which lead to it becoming occluded faster than natural.