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Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?
I was born with a hole in my heart and have had 2 surgeries. One to fix hole and the other a valve replacement. I've been recently told the I have a thoracic aneurysm and possibly will need more surgery.. Anyone gone th ru this before??
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Welcome to Connect, @ernestine, and thanks so much for sharing. Since you mentioned you have COPD, I thought you might be interested in scrolling through discussions in the Lung Health group, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/lung-conditions/ on Connect.
@ernestine, may I ask if your doctor is comfortable with your decision of not having any surgery? How are you managing the aneurysm? We sincerely look forward to getting to know you.
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1 ReactionI read where they sometimes never rupture. Mine is 6cm and holding. Keeping Bp down and hoping. Opting out of surgery because I am 83 and have copd.
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1 ReactionHello @loracnh and thank you for your post.
Your question about the decreasing thoracic aortic aneurysm is very interesting. While I do not personally have a DX of thoracic aortic aneurysm I can certainly understand how frustrating it is not to have clear cut answers as to what is going on.
If I may ask, do you have any other heart problems, such as heart valve disorders or rapid heartbeat, etc.?
Here at Mayo Connect we try to encourage our Members to be proactive regarding their health needs and questions and to seek answers. Have you sought a second opinion about this problem? If you are near a Mayo facility (Minnesota, Florida or Arizona) or near a large university medical school that might be a good place to seek another opinion.
I look forward to hearing from you again.
Teresa
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1 ReactionWelcome to Connect, @loracnh,
I'd like to introduce you to Mentor @hopeful33250, as I'm confident that she may have more insight for you. I'd also like to invite @jimmorris900 @jpmerk @thankful @jend @lynnkay1956 @elsinann to join in, and provide some guidance and thoughts.
@loracnh, have you asked your doctor if there could be some variation in the CT, which could make the aneurysm appear smaller? Are you taking any medication to manage the aneurysm?
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1 ReactionBetween my heart & the arch before the 3 arteries
I can’t believe your walking around with a dissecting aneurysm. Why!????
Where was your aneurysm located. I have been told that the higher it is the more difficult it is to correct? Jim
I felt the same & had the surgery at 4.8. I couldn’t live with the bomb but the fear of it developing elsewhere is bad too!
i have not written before but had a question I was diagnosed with a thoracic aortic aneurism in may of 2016, It as 4.2 I was told to watch it and have another c t scan in 6 months in jan of 2017 (aprox 6 mths) it had gone to 4.7 again wait 6 moths in july of 2017 had it checked again only this time it was done with contrast this time it was 4.5 I was told to have it checked in 6 myths. in jan of 2018 i had it done also with contrast all 4 times i had the ct scan using the same machine the doctor that read the scan was different this time it was 4.4
I am now told to ck it in 1 yr my question is it normal for it to get smaller or apear smaller?
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1 ReactionIn April it will be 3 years ago that my arising aorta dissected on a Sunday morning at 7 am sharp. Horrific pain and a twenty mile trip to the nearest hospital in Gainesville, GA. Emergency surgery saved my life very shortly before I was to expire. I heard the surgeon tell my wife that it was going to be very difficult and that she should say goodbye while she still could. I am now 82 years old, keep my blood pressure as low as possible and swim every day. I know the damned thing could pop on me again, but in the meantime I am enjoying life and a couple glasses of red wine per day (to keep the doctor way).
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