Bigred
Active member
I got some conflicting info at the beginning of the week. I was planning to wait until I receive a copy of my medical records but this has been bothering me.
Background info again, had an echo, ct scan (w/out contrast) and t.e.e. done in '01. I was not told my aorta was dilated at the time. I had a visit 3 weeks ago and was told the dilation at the time was 4.0 cm by the staff cardiologist. I had a ct w/contrast done and got the results this week. 4.5 cm which according to the ACC/AHA 2006 guidelines and Deborah is within safety limits until it reaches 5.0cm (as I'm sure most of you are already aware of).
Here's the problem, the fellow (resident) that saw me w/the staff doc gave me the info. He said well that's good, it actually went down some. Huh? I asked what he meant and he said that from '01 my chart shows 4.9 and 4.7cm. I asked that since I didn't have contrast at the time that rather than it decreasing wouldn't the contrast just be a more accurate measurement. This really was meant as a question to him, I wasn't trying to play doctor, but he hurried me off the phone and said " well the most important thing is that it didn't get any larger".
I know I should be relieved that after 8 yrs my aorta apparently has been stable but considering the fact that I was not aware it was dilated until 3 weeks ago, this is still some uneasing news. If my readings were 4.7 and 4.9 cm (still don't know which tests measured what) is .4cm deviation considered normal?
Has anyone else had their aorta remain stable for a prolonged period of time? just wondering if this has not changed in 8 yrs if I'm looking at 10-15 yrs before I would have to consider surgery.
Background info again, had an echo, ct scan (w/out contrast) and t.e.e. done in '01. I was not told my aorta was dilated at the time. I had a visit 3 weeks ago and was told the dilation at the time was 4.0 cm by the staff cardiologist. I had a ct w/contrast done and got the results this week. 4.5 cm which according to the ACC/AHA 2006 guidelines and Deborah is within safety limits until it reaches 5.0cm (as I'm sure most of you are already aware of).
Here's the problem, the fellow (resident) that saw me w/the staff doc gave me the info. He said well that's good, it actually went down some. Huh? I asked what he meant and he said that from '01 my chart shows 4.9 and 4.7cm. I asked that since I didn't have contrast at the time that rather than it decreasing wouldn't the contrast just be a more accurate measurement. This really was meant as a question to him, I wasn't trying to play doctor, but he hurried me off the phone and said " well the most important thing is that it didn't get any larger".
I know I should be relieved that after 8 yrs my aorta apparently has been stable but considering the fact that I was not aware it was dilated until 3 weeks ago, this is still some uneasing news. If my readings were 4.7 and 4.9 cm (still don't know which tests measured what) is .4cm deviation considered normal?
Has anyone else had their aorta remain stable for a prolonged period of time? just wondering if this has not changed in 8 yrs if I'm looking at 10-15 yrs before I would have to consider surgery.