Asending Aortic Aneurysm/ Can't have children

[laggirl]

Anyone else here suffer the same fate? If so how did you deal with this info? Are there any books on this??

[kenkeith]

There is successful minimally invasive surgical techniques that are now routinely being applied to ascending and arch aneurysm resection. Instead of dividing the breastbone, the upper part of the sternum is only partially divided. This allows for less blood loss and quicker recovery.

You don't indicate the size of the aneurysm, but usually when the size is about 5.0-5.5 cm, then surgery may be an option.  The ascending aorta grows at a rate of 0.10 cm per year and if the size increases 0.4 cm in any one year then surgery should be performed.

Often the condition is the result of of a bicuspid (syndrome) valve,  the ascending aorta should be resected when it is 4.5 cm in diameter. If you symptoms related to the aneurysm, then the aorta should be resected regardless of size.

[ed34]

I remember about 2 years ago, a large stent was developed for the aorta. There was a lot of arguments between the UK government and Caridiologists over the cost of the stent, the government saying it is not cost effective. Cardiologists argued that surgery after care with usual treatments costs far more when combined with the surgery itself, making the stent much cheaper. Was this technique never used? It was on the news in the UK but I didn't hear anymore about it.

[kenkeith]

For an aneurysm there can be a replacement called an aortic graft. This graft is made of a strong, durable, man-made plastic material  in the size and shape of the healthy aorta. The strong tube takes the place of the weakened section in your aorta and allows your blood to pass easily through it.  

Instead of open aneurysm repair, the vascular surgeon may consider a newer procedure called an endovascular STENT graft. Endovascular means that the treatment is performed inside your artery using long, thin tubes called catheters that are threaded through your blood vessels. This procedure is less invasive, meaning that your surgeon will usually need to make only small incisions in your groin area through which to thread the catheters.