aortic root

[JRJ]

I have posted a couple of months ago regarding tight chest and stomach. At that time I was awaiting results of an Echo. They finally came back.

the report stated that I had and enlarged aortic root for age (32) approx 4cm. And that my ao valve was tricuspid (3 valves) showing a slight fusion between two valves. everything else looked normal no increase in heart size, good EF 67% ect.

his conclusion was that it was a slight defect most lightly congenital in nauture and recommends preventative antibiotics for dental surgry ect.  

he did not mention the aortic root in the conclusion but 4cm seems to me to be something concered about I am 6.2" in height could this be a normal reading. I will attend a cardiologist just waiting on a referal letter from my GP. What should I ask him when I see him.

Many thanks

Jrj

[Cleveland Clinic]

jrj,

Thanks for the post.

An echo is not the best test to evaluate the aorta. It sometimes can give you an idea if there is an abnormality but the best test to assess the aotic dimension is really a CT or MRI. This is due to the fact that an echo really only gives you 2 dimensional represenations of a 3-dimensional object. Think of slicing an egg at different angles. In the shortest dimension, it looks like a circle while in the longest its an oval. If you have a bicuspid valve, prophylaxis is indicated and assessmnet of your aorta in serial fashion should give you idea if there is any increment change.

good luck

[LukeL]

A tricuspid aortic valve is normal and while very unlilkely a person around your height should consider Marfan's syndrome as a possibility. You would be on the short side if you have the disorder, but any time you see aortic problems in a fairly tall person you should consider it.

Of course I am not a doctor and you should discuss this with him.

[rajah3366]

Interesting. I had an echo done recently which said I had an enlarged aortic root, including ascending aorta. I'm not sure what this means, but the only number outside of the normal range on my echo was the "AO" walue (which was 3.9).

I had a follow up MRA that came back with "an aortic ROOT size of 2.6 with no dilation, anneurism or dissection found". However, it said nothing about the size of my ascending aorta.

I'm not sure which report to go by. How do they measure the "AO" value on the echo? Are echos often misleading (on the higher side) becuase of the 2D representation of a 3D object (aorta in this example)?

I am under the impression that echos are best for checking over valves and leakage while MRAs and CT's are best for measurements. Is this right?

[mend]

I have had two echos to follow the aortic valve.  I am confused about the answer the cc dr gave.  I have been told by my first cardiologist  that I will need surgery in 1-2 years.  I have aortic stenosis.  I am being tested again in 6 months with an echo.  I also have blockages that cause Ischemia.  One dr thinks that I may have to go ahead with surgery even though the valve is not quite ready because of Ischemia. I have 5 blocked arteries, but they are only 60-70%.   The cc dr said, I believe,  that an MRI was better than the echo.  I don't know if that would aply to me.  I have not been able to post.  Does anyone have any suggestions or opinions.  Thanks

[nahclifer]

I am 42 years old and was told 1 year ago that I have a dialation of the aortic root.  I believe my dialation is 4.8 cm.  My cardiologist informed me that surgery was not necessary unless the dialation reached 5.5 cm.  He has me on 50 mg of Toprol XL, once a day.

I have undergone 2 stress tests (one today), 3 echos, 2 sets of X-rays prior to and directly after the treadmill and 1 CT scan with contrast.  The CT scan confirmed the results of the echo.  I have another appt. next month and I'm sure they will order another CT - does any one know of a person who has actually had tgo have the surgery to correct the dialation?  If so, what was the recovery time and how are they today?

[desertrat49]

I was diagnosed last June with a 4.2 aortic root aneurysm via a ct scan.  Echo was also done at the time.  All of us on here living with this condition are the only ones who can understand what one goes through living with this.  I have tried many times to post questions on here but to no AVAIL.  I am not pleased with my Cardiologist here at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, FL.  Not too informative and would rather have me deal with the family practioner out here first with questions or concerns.  I have found out more on the internet than from the doctors.  Matter of fact after my ECHO in Jan., the nurse call me to tell me that my aneur. had not changed and that I would not need to be checked for ONE YEAR.  IS that standard with everyones doctors on here?  Seems to me I would feel better with every 6 months....BETTER yet every month (But I do know that is not possible) but you all know what I mean wanting to be checked quite often.  I told the nurse to have my Cardiologist call me as I had some questions.....TOOK HIM A WHOLE MONTH TO GET BACK TO ME....even after I had called after waiting 2 weeks...took him another 2 weeks.  Caught me off guard and I forgot to ask him some of the questions I had intended to.  According to him it is standard procedure to wait 1 year if your aneurysm has not changed from the previous test.  I also noticed my cholesterol shot up an extra 20 points after going on Metoprolol (25mg twice daily) was not eating anything with cholesterol.  I have read where BETA BLOCKERS can increase cholesterol.  Was wondering if that has happened to others on here????  I don't like the way BETAS make me feel either.  Feel like I just got up from a LONG NAP when I sit down....Find myself dozing off easily.  JUST don't have the energy I use to have.  My doctors never explained to me about the ideal BP for me as well.  I also found out on the internet about lifting.  When I asked the doctor he told me nothing over 10lbs.....I see on here other doctors say differently.  I lift over 10lbs that is for sure.....How often does anyone on here check their BP?  Those waiting in LIMBO like myself how often do you go in for ECHOS????  How are you doing on BETAS?  Have you found your cholesterol going up on BETAS????  I am praying real hard that I will be one of the LUCKY ones and never progress any further....BUT one never KNOWS with this condition.  IT IS HELL to live with.  Most people just don't UNDERSTAND....WELL, thanks to anyone for reading this and I do hope I hear from MANY....I am in the process of finding another cardiologist in my area...BUT IT IS VERY HARD TO FIND ONE or I should say HOW DOES ONE FIND A CARDIOLOGIST WHO IS WELL VERSED IN THIS and IS VERY GOOD TO DEAL WITH??????????  I am not impressed with MAYO here in Jacksonville, Fl.....THANKS everyone and I do hope everyone is feeling well......Christine

[dvd123]

Aortic root up to 4.1cm (by mri)is normal for average 50 year old person according to some cardiologists.Any truth? Does anyone know whether aortic root upper normal limits are the same by echo(3.7cm) and mri(3.9cm)?

[mom1014]

A related discussion, Aortic Root Enlargement was started.