Thoracic aortic aneurysm: Anyone had surgery?

Posted by jbsb93 @jbsb93, Jul 28, 2011

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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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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Family history of dissection weighs heavily in favor of being pro-active so too bad you don't know. If you are on the high normal side blood pressure wise, tell them to get you down at least in conformance with the recent SPRINT study,

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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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No known family history but my parents died at ages 72 and 74 so it is unknown. My grandfather had heart failure but probably before much was known about the heart then. Also no MRAs available or CT scans or echoes.

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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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Any family history?

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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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Mayo's strength is in execution of processes and procedures at every level. They shoot for getting you out alive.

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Profile picture for jimmorgan @jimmorgan

Have one but no surgery yet. Watchfull waiting.

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Welcome @jimmorgan. I can imagine that you're concerned. What questions would you like to ask other Connect members who have been there?

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Profile picture for crhp194 @crhp194

Your aneurysm usually needs to be repaired at that size. I would see if you can get to Mayo's or somewhere that does lots of these surgeries. Many tests are done before surgery so you should know beforehand the operating plan before you have the surgery. If you are worried about afterward, Mayo's has excellent pain control and excellent nurses who are readily available. In particular, nurses Emily, Callie, Amy, aKevin, Dot, Patti-these are very caring and knowledgable. My surgery was May 10, 2016 and all is well. @smithjss

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Mine was almost 6 so waiting was not an option. Mine seems to have been caused by aortic giant cell arteritis. That is controlled or fixed by medication.

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Profile picture for crhp194 @crhp194

Your aneurysm usually needs to be repaired at that size. I would see if you can get to Mayo's or somewhere that does lots of these surgeries. Many tests are done before surgery so you should know beforehand the operating plan before you have the surgery. If you are worried about afterward, Mayo's has excellent pain control and excellent nurses who are readily available. In particular, nurses Emily, Callie, Amy, aKevin, Dot, Patti-these are very caring and knowledgable. My surgery was May 10, 2016 and all is well. @smithjss

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How big?

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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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Have hsd 2 cts mine is 4.8 now just watchful waiting

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Profile picture for srlove @srlove

Diagnosed with this 6 months ago. Just now starting to have minor chest pains. Have CT scan with contrast on Thursday ...anyone else have this. What comes next? A little concerned. Thanks.

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Mine is 4.8. Worried about future

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Profile picture for jimmorgan @jimmorgan

Have one but no surgery yet. Watchfull waiting.

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Want more info

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