MNmom,
Your situation is a turning into a disturbing dilemma.
You have seen your Cardiologist (who you trust) and he has recommended a Surgeon (who you seem comfortable with), BUT, all these strangers on VR.com com are still concerned because of THEIR "Near Death" Experiences.
I have a vague recollection of someone citing a 5% Risk of Rupture for a 5 cm Aneurism. You and your Doctors are 'Betting' that you will fall in the group of 19 patients who do NOT rupture and all will be OK in 2 months when you have your surgery.
The PROBLEM with that "Bet" is that someone is the ONE out of 20 whose aneurism does rupture and that typically results in SUDDEN DEATH with NO SYMPTOMS and NO WARNING.
We read those stories in the newspaper every once in a while. What if you are that ONE? How will your children fare without their Mother?
The people who are urging you to seek a second opinion (preferably from an Aortic Specialist who has seen MANY similar cases) are speaking from their EXPERIENCE having been at Death's Door but brought back by getting EXPERT Medical intervention in the nick of time.
These people are concerned with the apparent Lack of Concern displayed by your Cardiologist and Surgeon. I too am concerned about their lack of concern. Sudden Death can result from a Stenotic Aortic Valve but they 'usually' give some warning such as shortness of breath or 'chest pain' on exertion, and sometimes not.
Aneurism's on the other hand have NO Symptoms and usually little or NO Warning. They just Rupture or Disect and the patient DIES in 9 out of 10 cases. Our moderator ROSS is one of the 'lucky' survivors of an aortic disection because his local cardio recognized there was a serious problem (in the ER), ordered the right test, and had him sent to the Cleveland Clinic by Helicopter. Close Call!
Your Cardiologist says that your Surgeon has the skill to replace a dilated Aortic Root. The skeptics would want to KNOW how many Aortic Root replacements he has done and his success rate. They would also want to KNOW that he has the Skill and Experience to replace the entire Aorta including the difficult Aortic Arch "just in case" your BAV and possible (probable?) Connective Tissue Disorder extends that far. This is where the difference between a surgeon who 'has done' a few aortic root replacements and an Aortic Specialist who has seen the "worst of the worst" can literally spell the difference between Life and Death.
Our member "Oaktree" had a tissue valve replacement from a local surgeon who assured her it was a "world class" solution to her problem. Shortly thereafter, she developed an Aortic Aneurism and the Stitches holding her tissue valve began to come loose. Another member of VR.com urged her to seek out an Aortic Specialist. By the time Oaktree got to the Heart Center in Houston, she was at Death's Door. The 'Specialist' pulled her back from the pearly gates in an all day operation. Her words to you is her way of trying to SAVE YOU from a similar experience.
It's a Tough Call knowing who to Trust. Maybe it would help if you shared this decision with the people you know, love, and trust, starting with your Family, i.e. Husband, Parents, etc. Don't you think that getting a second opinion from an Aortic Specialist is worth the effort if it could Save your Life?
Three common themes here on VR.com are:
"The WORSE things get, the FASTER they become WORSE"
"When you have a High Risk condition,
it is best to seek a Surgeon with the MOST EXPERIENCE
dealing with the procedure YOU will need."
"SOONER is BETTER"
'AL Capshaw'
