ectasia

[St9]

What does mild ectsia of the ascending thoracic aorta mean?

[skydnsr]

That's good.  If the third opinion is not to your satisfaction, may I suggest having a cardiothoracic surgeon look at all of the imaging.  The surgeon's opinion is the one that counts the most, because the main concern here is whether or not you need surgery.  I would look for a surgeon who is qualified to operate on the arch, if necessary.  Not many surgeons have that kind of expertise, so depending on where you live, there may not be anyone local -- but then again, you won't necessarily have to travel to see him in person.  Those guys can usually tell what kind of treatment is needed by looking at your records.  If things even go so far that surgery is suggested, then I would travel wherever I needed to go to get the best surgeon.  But hopefully, that's not going to be necessary.

[St9]

Thank you so much.  I have received such conflicting feedback from a FNP and my MD.  Have sent everything to my cardiologist including the CD
they gave me.

[skydnsr]

That's okay, you're welcome.  I just would check with the doc and see what follow-up is necessary.  It sounds like maybe the ascending aorta is bigger than the arch; those are actually two different areas of the thoracic aorta.  Ascending aortic ectasia is sometimes associated with aortic valve leakage, so don't be surprised if your doctor wants you to have an echocardiogram to look at the valves.  (When the ascending aorta enlarges, it can pull the aortic valve leaflets apart, and then there can be some backflow through the valve.)  If you have any symptoms, I would complain to the doctor about them and not discount your feelings as "just getting older."  Post back anytime you want to, and good luck.  As I said earlier, a certain amount of enlargement of the thoracic aorta is normal with age.  Hopefully this will never cause you any problems.  

[St9]

These are the 3 "impressions" stated on my report:
1.  Mild aortic atherosclerosis, mild ectasia of the ascending thoracic aorta
2.Scarring within the inferior lingual on the left
3.There are two small right lower lobe pulmonary nodules.  Follow up in several months.  These likely are benign.

You have been so helpful.  Thank you so very much.

[skydnsr]

It's still considered mild ectasia, even though you're of short stature.  It's just not AS mild as if you were 6'4" and the same age.  Your doc may want to keep an eye on it, though, in case it gets ideas about getting any bigger.  And I don't know if you're lifting heavy weights, but if so, that might not be advisable.  I'd check with the doctor to see if he or she wants to give you a weight-lifting limit.  Lifting lighter weights for reps is generally considered okay, but lifting heavy weights to try to max out is oftentimes frowned upon.  Was the arch the only place where the aorta was enlarged, as far as you know?

[St9]

Thank you so much.  Very helpful.  I am not a large person...5'2" and 135.

[skydnsr]

That's not super alarming.  "Mild" really is mild, in your case, it seems.  The aorta normally enlarges with age, so it may just be normal aging that accounts for your mild ectasia.  If you happen to be a large individual, then you will naturally have a larger aorta, so that's part of the equation, also.  Do you know if the aortic valve is functioning normally?  If so, that's another good sign.

[St9]

Thank you for the information.  I am 75 and exercise regularly and weight train doing "super slow" 1 time a week.  The report said "Aortic arch is 3.8 cm".
Thanks

[skydnsr]

It means that the ascending aorta is enlarged.  To my mind, it is important to understand exactly what the radiologist meant by "mild."  The significance of it varies with the exact measurement, your age, and whether or not any other cardiovascular conditions are present.  It might be something that you will never have to do anything about, or it might be something that you will eventually have to have surgery for.  You will probably want to keep an eye on it, in any case.