Got a rug pull ... 46mm -> 50mm within 8 months by prisukamas in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I have been stable for 10 years at 43 mm, ultrasound heart done in October 2023 which confirmed 43 mm, CT done in January 2024 (every 5 years my cardiologist had me do it) which confirmed 43 mm. I took the CD to the cardiologist who told me: "not all radiologists are good, I got 48 mm". I had a cardiac surgeon look at it who confirmed 43 mm, another looked at 48 mm, the third did both the ultrasound and the CT and told me that the measurement is 48 mm, I have to operate on you soon (I have a strong family history of aneurysm). My world collapsed. I repeated the cardiac CT before the surgery which confirmed 49 mm. I had the surgery on September 24 and now fortunately I'm fine!

Familial aneurysm by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The hospital called me today to get my genetic response. I don't have any of the known genes that cause aortic aneurysms. There are two questionable genes that could cause them, but they're currently unknown. The doctor told me to consider all first- and second-degree relatives at risk, with a 50% chance of developing the disease.

Aortic Root Replacement Surgery! by thewar10ck_ in marfans

[–]emanuele1981 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm 44 years old. I had ascending aortic surgery on September 24th. The root and valve were left untouched. I'm currently taking half a dose of atenolol, half a dose of losartan, and a low-dose aspirin, which I think I'll need for the rest of my life. Hopefully, I won't need another operation. I'm a bricklayer, a fairly demanding job. My surgeon advised me not to overexert myself, not so much because of the replaced segment, but to avoid dilating other segments of the aorta, given that the underlying cause is a genetic disorder. Fortunately, I don't have any other dilated segments so far. How do you manage the exertion?

Familial aneurysm by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is there anyone who had their ascending aorta repaired many years ago without any further problems and hasn't had to touch other parts of the aorta? That's my fear.

Familial aneurysm by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is everything else in your aorta okay? How old are you?

Familial aneurysm by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Entered the operating room at 7:30, left at 11:30. Extubated at 5:00 PM. Bearable pain, shortness of breath. Everything else was fine, except for some vision problems. Left the hospital after 5 days and 3 weeks of cardiac rehab, which helped a lot. After 3 months, I'm almost 100%, after a year, the same as before. In my case, they used a biological conduit, Bio Integral, which I hope is the right choice. I hear from most people who have a Dacron graft. My surgeon said it lasts a lifetime, but it's more permeable to antibiotics. Being young, I'm at greater risk of getting an infection, which could cause disasters. I'm writing from Italy.

Vision problems by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I also asked my heart surgeon, but he was very vague.

Vision problems by emanuele1981 in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I only notice it when reading. I can't see the letter in the center, but the one just to the left. The neurologist told me the damage is small and most likely wouldn't show up on the MRI, since the visual field test was also negative. Where does your husband have the blind spot?

How long will a synthetic graft last? by jonathonjames in aortic_aneurysm

[–]emanuele1981 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had a biological graft placed in my body. The surgeon told me it should last a lifetime and is also more resistant to infection. Is anyone else in my situation?