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5.3 Aortic Aneurysm Surgery Completed

Posted by rnpalarino1 @rnpalarino1, Jul 5, 2024

Hello All:
This past Wednesday I had my 5.3 AA repaired by Dr. Black at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore. I went in the operating room at 9:30 and woke up in recovery at 12:30. Dr. Black made two small incisions in my groin. He was there when I woke up and said “Relax for two weeks and then get back on the golf course.” I am relaxing and thankful to God and my family. My recommendation to all of you with an AA of 5.0 or greater, “Go find an expert vascular surgeon and get the operation.”
Nick

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mwendt54 | @mwendt54 | Apr 13 4:08pm
In reply to @rlhix "AAA is used as an abbreviation for abdominal aortic aneurysm. TAA is Thoracic aortic aneurysm and..." + (show)
@rlhix

AAA is used as an abbreviation for abdominal aortic aneurysm. TAA is Thoracic aortic aneurysm and includes descending aortic and ascending aortic aneurysm, the aortic arch and aortic root. only the descending aorta in the TAA category as EVAR as a possible option. Those are experimental for the ascending aorta. I had a Bental procedure on my aortic root and ascending aorta 7 months ago in addition to several other things at Mayo in Jacksonville. That said, I consider a 5.2cm and 5.9cm TAA to be very very serious.

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We were told by a Cardio Vascular surgeon at UW Health in Madison, WI who specializes in Loeys-Dietz Syndrome that my husband has a AAA and that EVAR may be an option. I was only relating what we were told by one of the leading specialists of this genetic disorder in the U.S. We were advised surgery will be needed for the AAA at 5.5 cm.

My apologies for typing thoracic instead of vascular surgeon in my previous post. My husband also has a TAA but it is being watched and not nearly as large as the AAA.

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drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Apr 14 8:16am
In reply to @drmpicardi "There is only one way they can repair your AAA (ascending) and is by opening your..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

There is only one way they can repair your AAA (ascending) and is by opening your chest called sternotomy and going on the ECMO machine (extra corporeal oxygenation). They cannot access the area thru an endovascular approach and stent thru the groin. Too many important arteries attached to the ascending part of the aorta including one to the coronary arteries. Going in to the ECMO machine has it side effects mainly in cognitive. It is a very serious operation for anyone but as we age it becomes more serious. So they have to decide according to age, height, existing medical conditions and aneurysm size. Mine is 5.9 and was discovered in 2011 so it has grown very slowly and I am in excellent health, non-smoker, no hypertension, but I am 80! So likely that they won't recommend surgery unless it dissects. I will have to let God decides when He calls
Dr Picardi

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I need to correct a typo mistake. My ascending aortic aneurysm is 4.9 not 5.9
Dr Picardi

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dianelynn | @dianelynn | Apr 14 5:25pm
In reply to @drmpicardi "There is only one way they can repair your AAA (ascending) and is by opening your..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

There is only one way they can repair your AAA (ascending) and is by opening your chest called sternotomy and going on the ECMO machine (extra corporeal oxygenation). They cannot access the area thru an endovascular approach and stent thru the groin. Too many important arteries attached to the ascending part of the aorta including one to the coronary arteries. Going in to the ECMO machine has it side effects mainly in cognitive. It is a very serious operation for anyone but as we age it becomes more serious. So they have to decide according to age, height, existing medical conditions and aneurysm size. Mine is 5.9 and was discovered in 2011 so it has grown very slowly and I am in excellent health, non-smoker, no hypertension, but I am 80! So likely that they won't recommend surgery unless it dissects. I will have to let God decides when He calls
Dr Picardi

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So you have had 5.9 since 2011 no change ?
That’s great !

I have. TAA 5.5 ish
I’m waiting !
I think the surgery will destroy me for good.
I’m 67 and would like to have a few more years.

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1 reply
mwendt54 | @mwendt54 | Apr 14 5:41pm
In reply to @mwendt54 "If you’re referring to having an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the less invasive surgery is called EVAR...." + (show)
@mwendt54

If you’re referring to having an abdominal aortic aneurysm, the less invasive surgery is called EVAR. Depending on where and how big the aneurysm is determines if they can use that procedure.

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Thank you. Yes that is true as I understand it too. His has an abdominal aortic aneurysm from a genetic condition we recently discovered and is 5.2 cm and he has an ultrasound every 6 months. It will need to be removed at 5.5 cm.

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drmpicardi | @drmpicardi | Apr 15 9:45am
In reply to @dianelynn "So you have had 5.9 since 2011 no change ? That’s great ! I have. TAA..." + (show)
@dianelynn

So you have had 5.9 since 2011 no change ?
That’s great !

I have. TAA 5.5 ish
I’m waiting !
I think the surgery will destroy me for good.
I’m 67 and would like to have a few more years.

Jump to this post

I corrected a typo mistake about 5.9 I actually have a 4.9 Ascending aortic aneurysm. However I just spoke to a vascular surgeon that said the new measurement for surgery is 6. I don't know your case so you need to individually discuss your case with your cardiac surgeon
Dr Picardi

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2 replies
dianelynn | @dianelynn | Apr 15 2:48pm
In reply to @drmpicardi "I corrected a typo mistake about 5.9 I actually have a 4.9 Ascending aortic aneurysm. However..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

I corrected a typo mistake about 5.9 I actually have a 4.9 Ascending aortic aneurysm. However I just spoke to a vascular surgeon that said the new measurement for surgery is 6. I don't know your case so you need to individually discuss your case with your cardiac surgeon
Dr Picardi

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I was thinking about scar tissue and long term aneurysms- maybe helpful,
I’ll continue to research!
I have also heard and read that the same diagnostic test should be used bc the siz e can differ from CT to ultrasound or MRI being the most precise.

Someone on this feed said they lost weight and the size decreased by .4 which is very good.

Hoping for the best for everyone!!

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dianelynn | @dianelynn | Apr 15 2:56pm
In reply to @drmpicardi "I corrected a typo mistake about 5.9 I actually have a 4.9 Ascending aortic aneurysm. However..." + (show)
@drmpicardi

I corrected a typo mistake about 5.9 I actually have a 4.9 Ascending aortic aneurysm. However I just spoke to a vascular surgeon that said the new measurement for surgery is 6. I don't know your case so you need to individually discuss your case with your cardiac surgeon
Dr Picardi

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Misread that sorry

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