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Questions posted in the
Heart Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.
Question Title: abnormal thoracic aortaForum: The Heart Forum
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| I have been examined and re-examined to determine the status of my aortic and mitral valves. The aortic valve is bicuspid and in poor shape and echos show the mitral regurgitation, but the cath. done disagrees and the doctor said the mitral is "holding its own". I have had chest pain for nearly a year, with some pain down l. arm at times. A CT scan, done for a cyst found in my liver, showed a "major abnormality" of the acending aorta. It is twice as large as the descending aorta. The doctors seem "laid back" about my condition and I am repeatedly told that it is "too dangerous at this time" to operate. What is the likelyhood, that if the mitral and aortic valves are NOT repaired, that this enlarged aorta could rupture? --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Warren It sounds like you have an aneurysm of your ascending aorta. If this is large enough, or if it is causing symptoms such as pain, surgery is indicated to prevent rupture. The risk of rupture depends on the size - the larger the aneurysm, the more likely it is to rupture. This is true whether or not the valves are repaired. I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck. Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
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