PVC's and Aortic Aneurysm

[puppythreads]

Does anyone else with aortic aneurysm suffer from multiple PVC's?  I was wondering if it could also cause a persistent cough, shortness of breath and hoarse voice?  My Docs say no, but still I wonder.

[skydnsr]

I don't think what you are going through is anything trivial.  I didn't realize you didn't have good access to care.  I'm sure glad you do have coverage now.  You need a really good cardiologist, preferably one that has a particular interest in aortic disease.  You may need a surgical consult, as well, but the cardiology workup will have to come first.  The cardiologist will need to run tests that the surgeon will want to look at.  If you end up having to see a surgeon, he also needs to have a special interest and experience in working on the aorta.  Go to the most advanced heart center that you can get to, and don't delay.  Good luck.

[puppythreads]

I am glad you wrote again.  My pulmonologost actually mentioned that I had some diastolic dysfunction on my echo that i had done about three years ago.  No one ever mentioned that before and when I told my vascular surgeon about it, he just dismissed it as nothing.  Honestly, I think Docs have this bad habit of withholding evidence from patients, and that is not a very good thing in these days of the internet.  

My cardiologist said "I am just thinkng about the PVCs too much."  But they are getting so bad that I have bigeminal runs that last 20-40 seconds, then a few normal beats, then another 20-40 seconds and this will go on for HOURS, almost every day.  I am fine in the morning, but as the day progresses or if I even try to exercise it gets really bad.  The cough is getting really bad and now I bring up alot of fluid.  The pulmonologist says its just post nasal drip.  But I tried to tell her that I mostly only cough when I am having bad PVC's.  She just wont listen.

The good news is that I just got Maine Care back so now I am insured and can change docs because as you said I do need expert care, or at the very least Docs who are willing to listen and not just keep dismissing me.  Thanks for your input.

Karen

[skydnsr]

Looking back on this thread, I see I failed to mention that cough can also be a symtom of congestive heart failure.  Besides an arch aneurysm pressing on the larynx, another possibility could be that you have aortic valve disease that is advanced enough to be affecting your heart as a whole.  Congestive heart failure is one of the late effects of valve disease.  It would help if you knew where exactly on the aorta your aneurysm is located.  It would also help if you knew whether you have heart valve disease, and if so, which valve is affected.  Again, you need expert care.  Good luck.

[skydnsr]

I have heard of thoracic aortic aneurysms, especially in the arch, causing cough or hoarsness if the aneurysm is pressing on the larynx.  PVC's can be associated with aortic valve disease, which often accompanies an ascending aortic aneurysm.   Shortness of breath can be a symptom of congestive heart failure, which also can be a complication of valvular disease.  As a survivor of an ascending aortic aneurysm and aortic valve replacement, I have had both PVS's and SOB myself.  IMHO, you need to consult more knowledgable doctors.  Specialists in aortic medicine are usually only found at major heart centers, but it sounds like that's what you need.  Best wishes.

[nickppatel]

I believe there is a correlation between PVCs and AAs.  I'm not aware of either one causing cough, SOB or hoarse voice.