Should I choose EVAR or wait?

I assume you are talking about an abdominal aortic aneurysm. You should consult a surgeon at a high volume center about your situation and come up with a plan.

I’ve been trying to find the right words to share this.

I’ll be going into the hospital for a high-risk surgery on September 24th, and I would really appreciate your prayers.

My CTA scan this past Tuesday, which was done in preparation for my scheduled TAMBE surgery, showed a 5.8 cm abdominal aortic aneurysm and a 3.9 cm thoracic aortic dilation. It also showed a new finding—a short-segment dissection at the beginning of my left subclavian artery.

There’s understandably a lot on my mind right now. I’m putting my trust in my doctors and medical team, and I’m asking God to give them wisdom, skill, and steady hands as they care for me.
If you would, please keep me in your prayers—for a successful surgery, protection throughout the procedure, and a safe and smooth recovery. And please pray for my family and loved ones as they walk through this with me.

Thank you.

Know how hard it is to face a major surgery like that. I had open heart surgery 19 yrs ago for a ready to rupture ascending aortic aneurysm,graft, aortic valve replaced, and a bypass all in one operation. They've come a long way in the past 19 yrs. You'll be in good hands and prayers will guide your surgeons. Im facing another challenge at the moment. ECHO showed another 5.6 ascending aortic aneurysm and CTA showed it 5.4. So I'm waiting 2wks and still have no referral appt to see thoracic surgeon. Will pray your surgery goes well. Put your trust in God.

@maryrg Thinking of you and your family in prayer!!

@jdssunflower Thank you so much for sharing your story with me. Hearing that you went through such a major surgery 19 years ago and are still here sharing your experience is truly encouraging and gives me hope.

My husband has a 4.6 cm ascending aortic aneurysm, and I’ve been so worried about what the future may hold for him. Hearing that you had an ascending aneurysm that was ready to rupture, along with the graft, valve replacement, and bypass all in one surgery, and that you made it through and have been doing well for 19 years, is very hopeful for us to hear. Even at my age of 79 yrs and my husbands age of 78 yrs, it really gives me, and others reading your story, hope that even though this is frightening, your experience shows that people can have many meaningful years after this kind of surgery.

I’m so sorry that you’re now facing another aneurysm. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to wait for your referral, especially after everything you’ve already been through. I will definitely keep you in my prayers and pray that you get to see the thoracic surgeon soon. 🙏

If you don’t mind me asking, how old are you now, and where do you live? I’d also love to know how you’ve been doing over these past 19 years after your surgery.

One thing I’m especially curious about, if you’re comfortable sharing, is whether your doctors ever explained why you developed another ascending aortic aneurysm after your first surgery. Was the new aneurysm in the same area as your previous repair, or in a different part of the aorta? I’m trying to learn as much as I can because of my husband, and your experience could help us know what questions to ask his doctors.

Thank you again for sharing your story. After reading your comment, I feel a little more hopeful about what may be ahead for me and my husband. God bless.

@maryrg thank you for your kind words. Im glad I was able to offer you some hope for the future.
Im 82 and don't know if id be able at this time to have open heart surgery. But 2yrs ago my 2nd aortic valve had to be replaced using the TAVR procedure. I did fine and it's working great. The other aortic valve lasted over 18yrs.
Yes the reason I developed a 2nd aneurysm was because of an auto immune disease, temporal arteritis. It attacks major blood vessels. Although I'm in remission at present. This aneurysm is above where the previous one has a graft. Im hoping they can fix this one through a heart cath. May He bless you both.

@didski Thank you. God bless

@jdssunflower

I have a 4.6cm ascending aortic aneurysm between the graft and aortic arch. I was told a hard no on repairing it via catheter if it gets to that point.

Sorry to hear that. I was hoping that would be an option. Don't think I could undergo open heart surgery at this point.