Aortic root
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Can someone tell me that when describing vessel size, if the term "dilated" is the same as an aneurysm? I'm a 31 year old male 6'3" 210 with history of "controlled" hypertension and my latest echo shows a 3mm increase in my aortic root from 2.5 years ago to what is now measuring 4.1cm. The physicians report refers to this as mildly dilated
2 likes, 11 replies
noreen19250 ryan79389
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Paganalley ryan79389
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sandra65273 ryan79389
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maximo_jr.21795 sandra65273
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I have 4.8cm ascending aorta ang 4.6 cm descending aorta. Im 37 years old and 5'2.5
My cardiovascular surgeon advised me to undergo open heart surgery, since my condition is too risky for me since my aneurysm is familial. My dad and my uncle died from aneurysn as well. I'm just confused because most of the articles I read, the operable size is 5c.m.
lee_54830 sandra65273
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I have a mechanical aortic valve after undergoing surgery for an aortic root and vale replacement. My anerysm in my ascending aortic root had dilated to 8.8cm and my valve had stopped working. I had no blood circulating around my body but bleeding back in on the heart (severe aortic regurgitation). I was operated on within five days.
The first scan showed me at 8.2cms but three days later it had grown further to 8.8cm and my ankles had swollen to twice their size, all bewildering stuff as I thought I had a virus and went to get it check out and they find my massive dilation. I am 48, 5 6tall and there is nothing else wrong with my heart, it's in good condition, they believe my aneurysm was caused by blood pressure or connective tissue issues.
I've since had a blood vessel burst in my leg sending my entire leg and crown jewels a very deep purple. I couldn't walk for a week or so. I'm now scanned regularly so they keep an eye on where, if or when the next one may appear.
The surgery itself was no problem, it was an 11 hour operation and I woke the next day my chest was on fire. They even sit you up for two hours for your circulation which wasn't very nice, all I wanted to do was lie down.
However, I returned to work within two months, the recovery went very well and I feel fine now apart from my valve is very nosy and clatters away at night. I wear ear plugs for that, most people plump for the bovine valve however, I plumped for a mechanical one as a bovine valve has a l ife expectency too and the surgery depending on your age will happen again (bovine valves last around 10-15 years, sometimes longer). My mechanical valve should last forever.
I manage my own INR and have bought at coagucheck machine and get test strips from my gp on prescription, this is so much better. I don't have to troop up to the hospital every week to the warfarin clinic. I simply test myself at home and dose my own warfarin. It's easy once you get used to it.
Hope this helps
Lee
sandra65273 ryan79389
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maximo_jr.21795 sandra65273
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sandra65273 maximo_jr.21795
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lee_54830 ryan79389
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As far as i'm aware, that may be the same. I had an aortic aneurysm in my ascending aortic root and I had dilated by 8.8cm, my aortic valve had stopped working so no blood was being circulated around my body but bleeding back in on the heart (severe aortic regurgitation). I had an aortic root and valve replacement within five days of them finding the massive dilation, I'm a very lucky man.
I've now got a mechanical aortic valve and false aortic root however, they link my aneurysm to blood pressure and connective tissue disorders. I have since had a burst blood vessel in my leg (making my entire leg and crown jewels go entirely purple. I'm now regularly scanned for anerysms as they dont' know when, where or if my next one will be. I just get in with it and the hospital have been great.
Whenever I bruise (which is ofter as my mecanical valve requires me to take warfarin for the rest of my life) people panic and i'm hauled off for scans, this is rather tiresome but as I say, what can I do? I just get on with it. I'm 48 and there is nothing else wrong with my heart, no disease, no cholesterol issues etc. The correct size for an aortic root can be from 2.5-3cm.
You will require surgery for this before it gets larger but your valve doesn't sound like it has any issues so hopefully it won't need replacing. If it does you'll have the choice of a bovine valve or a mechanical valve. Beware, my mechanical valve is very noisy and clicks away through the night. I now wear ear plugs.
The dilation is the size it has swollen to. I really hope this helps.
Lee
ryan79389 lee_54830
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lee_54830 ryan79389
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Hi Ryan
That's good news, long may it remain the same size I hope. Wishing you all the very best for the future.
Lee