Ascending Aorta size question

[fayf]

Ten months ago, I was diagnosed with congenital Ascending Aorta aneurysm.  I am 105 lb and 5 ft female.  The size was 4 cm.  The most recent CT scan show it is 4.2 cm.  Is this fast growing?  I don't smoke nor drink.  My primary doctors send me to a cardiovascular thoracic surgeon.  My surgeon told me that he will worry about it when it is 5 cm.

The past weekend, I had a chest pain.  In the past, I always thought it was acid reflux.  But this time, when I had the pain, with sensation of vomiting, coupling with numbness of both arms, and my fingers became stiff.  This is when my husband was driving me to a restaurant.  I started to have the pain.  I knew that I did not eat anything to upset my stomach.  I have been cautious due to my frequent stomach aches.  The numbness of arms and stiffness of my fingers scared me a little.  I kind of believing it was not acid reflux (I saw doctor and did endoscopy and nothing was found).  

I am wondering is the chest pain caused by the ascending aorta aneurysm.  Should I more aggressively seeking for possible surgery?  I asked my surgeon friend in a big city.  He told me that he would go to Taxes Heart Center for ascending aorta aneurysm.  He said a place with experience in ascending aorta.  My friend does not know much aorta, but he said that the 5 cm measurement is average.  For a tiny small person like me, he thinks it may be 4.5 cm.  

I hope that someone can give me some advice.

[nanny10964]

I had a CT scan with contrast that showed dilatation of the ascending aorta up to 4.1cm,does this mean a aneurysm

[fayf]

I am the same.  I took anti oxidants.  My main diets are fruit and vegetable.  I eat healthy food.    I like the natural food.  I am always preaching healthful behavior to my friends and encourage my friend to stay away from soda and cookies.  I ski in the winter and swim in the summer.

My doctor told me that this is congenital and most likely my family may have other members had it that they did not know.  My surgeon is monitoring me and he did not give me any medication.  I will see him on December 2nd.  My surgeon is a local small town cardiovascular thoracic surgeon.  I do not know how many patients with ascending aorta aneurysm patients that he has.

Why do you have to go to hospital?  Could you please inform me so we can check notes?  I had an operation on congenital choledochal cyst two years ago at Sloan Memorial hospital.  The surgeon in Sloan told me that the best place for ascending aorta surgery is in Texas Heart center.  I read some articles from Stanford University about aorta surgeries.  I asked my surgeon if he know Stanford is good enough.  The surgeon in Sloan said the only one with extensive knowledge and experience is in Texas, the founder of the procedure of Aorta surgery.  They operated hundreds in a year.  I live in New York and nor sure about Texas.  How is John Hopkins Hospital?  Thanks for sharing information.

[Debbie810]

I just had the same dx and am also 5 ft. 103 lbs. My aorta measures 3.7cm. I am going to go to John Hopkins on December 3. I too had to go to the hospital. I had chest pains. I am not a smoker no high cholesterol, etc. Google the best heart hospitals to find the best one in your area and go to that one.
I am so surprised by this dx for myself. I watch what I eat I am not overweight and have taken care of myself my whole life. Except for stress!!! I am 54. What a disappointment to have this diagnosis. The doctor at the hospital put me on beta blockers. I hope he did the right thing. All I know is that you should always go to the best place and go to a doctor that does that surgery the most.
Good luck
Debbie

[kenkeith]

It would be helpful to have a base line for your aortic size as there are variations related to physical size, etc. Generally, the ascending aorta grows at a rate of 0.10 cm per year. An aneurysm increase in size by 0.4cm in any one year then surgery should be performed.

Congenital ascending aortic aneurysms frequently cause dilatation and leakage of the aortic valve. This can result in shortness of breath or even heart failure should the leakage be severe. Ascending aortic aneurysms can also result in a dull pain underneath the breastbone or radiating to the upper back.

Based on statistics it is recommended that asymptomatic ascending aortic aneurysms be resected at a size of 5.0-5.5 cm.  You didn't state the status of your aortic valve, but if severe aortic insufficiency is present in the setting of a bicuspid valve, the ascending aorta should be resected when it is 4.5 cm in diameter.

Hope this helps.