dissecting aortic aneurysm

Posted by Cindy Ertle on April 24, 1999 at 19:54:14
My sister had a dissecting aortic aneurysm at age 54. It disected into the coronary vessels and almost to the kidneys.  they were able to repair her aortic valve and she had a sucessful recovery.  My questions are:
1. She still has a lf bundle branch block. Is this common?
2. She also has hyperkinesis of the septum. What is this?
3. Will she ever need her aortic valve replaced.  What symptoms would there be if it were not working properly?
3. Our fraternal aunt also had a ascending aortic aneursym, which was not from a dissection.  Is there any chance the two are related?  
Thanks for the infomation.  Cindy

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 25, 1999 at 07:38:33

Dear Cindy
A LBBB can occur because of coronary artery disease, heart attack, aging, or diseases of the electrical conduction system of the heart.
Hypokinesis of the septum refers to a part of the heart that does not contract properly.
She may need her aortic valve replaced in the future. Patients with aortic dissections often have diseased aortic valves also. Aortic valve problems usually cause symptoms such shortness of breath and easy fatigue.
Aortic disease often does run in families.
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.
Posted by Todd on April 26, 1999 at 10:06:47
Aortic aneurysms are common in people with the Marfan Syndrome - these people are often very tall, have eye problems and other skeletal problems.  Marfan's is  passed down in a dominant gene.  There is research being done to identify a genetic defect that causes aortic aneurisms in families not associated with Marfan's.  Like Marfan's, this trait is passed down dominantly, that is, if one has an affected gene, there children have a 50% chance each of having it.  I would think that it would be a good idea for you to see a cardiologist and have an echo of your entire aorta - just to be safe.  I had an aortic aneurysm repaired and my valve was also repired.  Depending on the repair, the valve could last a very long time, although sometimes the valve fails after only a year or two.  I see a cardiologist every year now to have an echo.  My brother had an echo - his was normal.  My children will be evaluated by a cardiologist sometime preteens as they have a chance of having what I had.  Good luck to you and your sister.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 26, 1999 at 15:40:47
Dear Cindy
It would make sense for you to get checked out by your doctor. It is unclear what your exact level of risk may be and precisely what testing would be necessary. However, your doctor's evaluation might provide useful information.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by Cindy Ertle on April 26, 1999 at 20:40:15
Thanks so much for the quick responses.  It's just great to be able to converse with others with similar problems.  I will pass the info on to my sister.  She may decide to have her children checked.  Also, she takes a high dose of Tenormin, 100 mg twice a day.  She is easily fatigued, so how do you decide if it is the medicine or a valve problem.  Sometimes she can walk a mile or two and other times she becomes very fatigued and complains of middle back pain. Thanks again for your help.

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 30, 1999 at 10:33:15
Dear Cindy
If she has recovered from the surgery, the valve should not cause fatigue now. More likely, the dose of medication is contributing to her fatigue. However, she should not change her dose without consulting with her doctor.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.