Dilated Aortic root on echocardiogram

[Natbat87]

Hi all, I had a letter from Cardiologist a few months back now confirming he thinks I have pots and to start ivabradine.

The letter also said I have a mild dilated aortic root. There was no explanation or further than literally just that sentence.

I've no idea what this actually means?

I've tried ringing his secretary but all I get is I will have a follow up appointment soon. She said before Christmas but that's not looking likely now I've not heard anything.

I have a whole host of other illnesses including rheumatoid arthritis, raynauds, asthma, liver disease etc.

Just seeing if anyone can shed any light and give me some pointers of what I need to be asking?

By the way, I'm only 34.

Thanks for reading and for any replies x

[JulianM]

Really hard to say what the finding of a dilated aortic root means, if you haven't been given a measurement for it!

It would be most significant if you have close family members (genetic relatives) with aortic disease or connective tissue disorders.

It could also be clinically important if you have a bicuspid aortic valve or some level of regurgitation, meaning that the aortic valve isn't closing properly. Again, the echo report should have reported on these things, one way or another.

I have had repeated echocardiograms reporting my aortic root as 3.9cm, one report said it was mildly dilated, the other that it was normal, though they both agreed on the figure!

My own reality is, that while my root may be on the large side, it's the 4.8cm dilation of my ascending aorta that is the problem I and my doctors worry about. By comparison, when I got to see the whole thing on an MRI, my aortic root looks very normal indeed ...

The bottom line would be, don't worry too much about it, it does sound like you have a lot of other issues going on and while it's worth asking for more information it's very unlikely that a mildly dilated aortic root will cause immediate problems. All the best!

[lilymeg]

Hi, I was on ivabradine for about 2 years, I asked to be taken of it because I felt that it was slowing me down too much, cardiologist agreed. My main cardiac problem is paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation.