6.3 Aortic root, father died age 60 AAA

Question

Hi everyone, I am 45 y/o female with 1997 surg Ross procedure where they take your pulm valve and use it to replace your leaky, regurgitating aortic valve, then give you a cadaver (dead persons donated tissue) valve for your pulmonary position. Dx's are bicuspid valve disease,congenital...found in 1996. My major concern now is the cardiologist is telling me I have enlarged aortic root at 6.3 cm. My father died from AAA at age 60 from rupture of same. They found his AAA 2 yrs prior at which he was at 6.0cm. We don't know the size at rupture. I work 2 jobs, shortness of breath, lifelong nonsmoker nondrugger. They are sending me tomorrow for CT Abdomen w/contrast one week after Echo showed the 6.3cm dilatation. Does this sound like good course of action....AND.....those who have had surgery for AAA any comments/suggestions are welcomed.
Thanks Milo_1

This discussion is related to aortic root.

tonyjstock · Answer

Hi Colleen... 

I just turned 45 and had an aortic aneurysm measuring 6.0 cm repaired about 3.5 years ago.  My aortic valve was also leaking severely and had to be replaced - I went with the mechanical valve - a St. Jude titanium valve.  A normal ascending aorta measures 2.0 cm - approx 3.7 cm.  They usually start to consider surgury when it gets around 5.0 cm.  Sounds like you will be having the same surgury I had if they are unable to repair the leaky valve - the aneurysm is usually grafted with some type of decron synthetic.  The only disadvantage to the mechanical valve is that you have to be on blood thinners (coumadin/warfarin) for the rest of your life.  This has not been a problem for me and the blood tests are a simple poke in the finger.  Hope this info helps you out a bit, feel free to hit me with more questions if you like, I am a cardaic sonographer by trade (got into it after getting downsized and following my open heart! )

Tony

milo_1 · Answer

Just got a call from my cardiologist. Said the aneurysm is an ascending aortic aneurysm, 6 cm in size, and that I also have (again, be sure to read original post)severe aortic regurgitation again. He set me up with a surgeon on the 18th of July. I dont know what else to say. Someone please respond who has had ascending aortic aneurysm?
Thanks,
Colleen

Momto3 · Answer

Hi milo_1,

Your post is fine here.  Congrats on your successful Ross procedure!!  As for the AAA, given your family history, I can certainly understand your concerns.  Has the doctor suggested surgery at this point?  Or, are they waiting for the additional test results?

I'm sorry I can't help much.  I am not too familiar with treatment options for AAA.  I'm assuming your doctor is being very thorough and taking into account your father's history.  Hope the test goes well.  Let us know what's going on and how you're doing.

Is the shortness of breath a new symptom?