Enlarged aorta

[Eily22]

I have a enlarged aorta left side descending , at moment 4.7cm

[080311]

Hello Eily22

Welcome to the forum, I can’t understand what you are asking or are you just introducing yourself?

If you have any questions just post and someone will be along to help you if they can.

Again welcome

Best wishes Pauline

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Hopefully they are monitoring regularly. I would expect a minimum of every 6 - 12 months. The critical point is 6cm when the DVLA get involved. To quote:

You must tell DVLA if your aortic aneurysm is 6 centimetres or more in diameter despite treatment. You must not drive if your aortic aneurysm is 6.5 centimetres or more in diameter.

Hopefully they will operate before you get to this point. The most important points are to maintain a healthy BP and not to smoke. If offered (if not already on them) BP or statins please take them. A friend survived a burst aorta (at 7cm) but you don't want to go there.

[Eily22 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks most helpful, on bisoprolol 1.25 and a looping 2.5

[Eily22 in reply to Eily22]

Sorry should be amlodipine 2.5mg

[Dave136]

I got the same mine was 4.9 on echo then two months later had to go for a PET scan now been 3 months since that and still waiting to see cardio surgeons

[Eily22 in reply to Dave136]

I found out I had an enlarged aorta about 3 years ago at the moment it’s staying the same size, but it’s a worry waiting for the next CT scan results

[heart_surgery]

Hello Eily, I had a dilated Aorta ... usually the protocol is "watch and wait" that means annual or 6 monthly MRI scans to monitor the dilation. The "rate of expansion" is as important as the actual diameter. However there is a cut off point of expansion when surgery is required. There are international guidelines in surgeons circles about what that is. I think in Europe it is 5.5 or5.6 cm but if the aorta is expanding by more than a certain amount every 6 months that can also have an effect on decisions. What you don't want is a "dissection" which is when the aorta wall gives way or the lining of the wall separates. If you are tricuspid (three leaves to your aortic valve) then you are better off, sometimes the valve needs tightening up if it's leaking a bit as well.

I was told when I bagen the monitoring process that I would eventually need surgery but in my forties I just put that to the back of my mind and forgot about it.. I just turned up for my scan every 12 months or so. I didn't actually believe it would happen. Very gradually it expanded until I had my surgery last August. There is a type of surgery which involves fitting an external support stent like a sock to support the aorta. It's called PEARS... personal external aortic root suppport. You might like to look into that although at the moment technically only available for Marfans sufferers. At 4.7cm nothing will happen anytime soon, but you will probably need surgery later in life, I am 63 now. I wanted PEARS and everything was prepared for that surgery at the Brompton but when the surgery began it was decided that my aorta was in too poor a state to save and I had a Dacron Implant. that was a great shock and disappointment for me, I had no idea that surgical plans can be radically changed in theatre.

It can be stressful and lead to a lot of anxiety, what I mean is it will be, so stay calm and relax you'll be OK.

TIm Smith

[Eily22 in reply to heart_surgery]

Thank, I get aorta checked every year, the last two years it stayed the same size , it only came to light because I was tested for something else, I was told it would be operated on when it was 5.7 cm it’s nice to here other patients experience,

[cassie1957 in reply to Eily22]

Gosh so glad I found this thread. Ive been out of my mind with worry,not slept,ate for a few days. I went for a NHS lung test,results came back asending aorta 4.4 . Ofcourse I googled it & its just put me in the most anxious state ever .I have been referred to specialist god knows when ever that will be. Just cannot stop crying & there was I worried about a knee injury. Sorry guys just feeling off colour after this news

I

[Eily22 in reply to cassie1957]

A bit like me, I was very light headed in an exercise class after a couple of times of this happening, a retired nurse suggested I see a Dr. Anyway he sent me for a heart scan and the scan showed an enlarged aorta, in the beginning a scan every year, but as it’s not changed in diameter it’s now every 2 years, So it’s a case of wait and see,

[Eily22 in reply to heart_surgery]

Again thanks, your post gives me better information to ask the right questions when I hopefully see a Dr. But with covid it’s near impossible,

[SecondOHS]

My aorta was 5.4cm. I am now the proud owner of a new aortic root (look up David procedure). Keep getting checked out, as it is something they need to keep an eye on...

[Eily22 in reply to SecondOHS]

Thanks ,