Anyone understand this?

[wilsond]

Good day all!

Just got my report from my face to face appointment last week.

It mentions a 'mild aortic root dilation ,maximum 3.5mm' This wasn't mentioned at my last Echo last year,and I wondered if anyone knows what it means?

Also mentions a PR interval of 224 milliseconds...again ,what is it?

I can ring and check but don't want to bother them as they are so busy,if anyone can put me right here?

Thank you xx

[BobD Volunteer]

The PR interval in milliseconds is the length on your ECG of the big wiggle.

Dilated or enlarged Aortic root means that the large artery where it leaves your heart is slightly bigger than normal. I know that they worry about aortic aneurysms but as this is described as mild I wouldn't think twice. Echocardigram results are very subjective and dependent on each operator so I was told some years ago.

[wilsond in reply to BobD]

Righto Bob thank you. Xx

[Cliff_G in reply to wilsond]

Agree with the above, however, one point, the aortic root is described as 3.5 mm. I would expect it to be 3.5 cm or 35 mm.

[wilsond in reply to Cliff_G]

My mistake. 3.5cm thank you Cliff

[Cliff_G in reply to wilsond]

Yes, that dimension won't normally give doctors any concern, unless you have any other aortic risk factors, such as a bicuspid aortic valve, Marfan/EhlersDanloss/Loeys-Dietz/Turners, or any family history of aortic problems, or are very small in stature.

[wilsond in reply to Cliff_G]

I do have a bicuspid aortic valve,which is why I have a regular Echocardiagram .What is the concern regarding this please? Curious not getting overanxious,no one else seems to be! X

[Cliff_G in reply to wilsond]

With bicuspid, the flow of blood out of the valve is more one-sided and can tend to lead to an aneurysm in the ascending aorta, which then has further risks. It's good that you're being monitored for this, as surgery to replace the aortic valve is often coupled with replacing the ascending aorta, as another poster here has had.

[wilsond in reply to Cliff_G]

I see ,that makes sense. Yes reassured to be identified and thus monitored. Thank you Cliff

[Still_Breathing]

When mine was detected, it was 6.6. The consultant said this was right in the zone for surgery.As it was explained to me, dilation is normal however mine was not it was accelerated and is a genetic problem I.e. it was not my life style that caused it.

If I was not in the zone for surgery they would have monitored it regularly until I was in the zone.

At the time with mine being 6.6 he gave me 3 years to a max of 5 years if I did not have the surgery.

I had the aortic valve replaced with a mechanical one and the ascending aorta was repaired during OHS, that was 3 years a go in August.

So I would imagine they will monitor you on a regular basis.

[wilsond in reply to Still_Breathing]

Thank you for this and glad you are ok. Xx

[Ppiman]

My brother in law, who has had a valve replaced many years ago, has this, but much more so than yours. That figure seems, from what I know of his condition, nothing at all to worry about. The aorta has a bend in it (i.e. a "root", and it can dilate at this point and even rupture, but yours is near normal, if I recall the measurements.

Steve

[wilsond in reply to Ppiman]

Thank you Steve,appreciate the clarification. It wasn't mentioned on a tele appointment recently. I'm under one hospital for bicuspid valve care and was told all OK, heart function decent ,valve behaving although slight stenosis ( same for 5/6 years) He didn't even mention this bit!

So when I had the report of the face to face at Hospital 2,regarding AF care,I was a bit surprised and wondered what it meant,as they never commented on it while I was there either.

Reassured it's nothing to get worked up about.

Thank you

[Ppiman in reply to wilsond]

Yes - I wouldn't be surprised if a lot of people have this kind of dilation without its ever being mentioned or, of course, ever checked. My brother-in-law ought to have a new valve but they are reluctant owing to the dilation he has, but it hasn't changed in years. I forget his figure but it is well above yours for sure and in what is called the worrying zone. He's 78 and doing well.

Steve

[wilsond in reply to Ppiman]

Thanks Steve. I shall now have the confidence to buy green bananas!lol! Seriously that's good to hear. As I'm being monitored ( although I did have to remind them I was due for review)I'll put it out of Things to Worry About box! X

[Ppiman in reply to wilsond]

Hee hee. I think you could even set a banana seed and be picking the fruit in a few years!!! 😂

[wilsond in reply to Ppiman]

Lol!