How serious Is A Dilated Ascending Aorta?

This video discusses the topic of dilated ascending aorta and aortic root aneurysm and whether they are dangerous. The video starts by introducing the anatomy of the aorta and its importance in carrying blood around the body. Mr Birdi, Top Heart Surgeon, explains the difference between normal and abnormal aortic roots and why the latter can cause severe complications like aortic dissection or rupture. The video goes on to talk about how doctors decide when it is time for surgery, and the guidelines they follow to decide whether to replace the aorta with a man-made tube or homograft. Mr Birdi then discusses the two key numbers that patients need to remember to understand when the time has come for their dilated ascending aorta or aortic root aneurysm to require an operation. Additionally, the video highlights some other important factors such as the type of aortic valve and family history that doctors consider when deciding whether to operate.
If any of the following topics are of interest to you, then this video will be useful: dilated ascending aorta, dilated aortic root aneurysm, aortic dissection, aortic rupture, surgery, guidelines, bicuspid aortic valve, normal trileaflet valve, homograft, and family history.

REFERENCES
2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines

Height alone, rather than body surface area, suffices for risk
estimation in ascending aortic aneurysm

The information provided in this video is for information only and does not replace advice given to you by your doctor.

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[Doug-tpjp]

Learned more from this 5 minute video than from my multiple visits with both my cardiologist and my heart surgeon. Thanks

[MarkCw-fxfv]

Many thanks just been diagnosed with this and awaiting the dilation size at 51 I feel young but this has surprised me

[MiThreeSunz]

A very informative and helpful video Dr. Birdi. I’m a 64 year old male recently diagnosed with an ascending aortic aneurysm with a dilation of 40 mm.

[kiva]

Excellent video! Thank you for posting the link to the height / risk research document.

[victorlloyd]

Thanks very much for this. I have been scheduled for the surgery and came here and similar videos to learn more about the condition and the steps ordinarily taken to either ameliorate or reverse the problem. Thank you.

[ElkoJohn]

Best video on this topic that I have seen. Much obliged.

[markstuart]

Very informative for personal deicision making

[cliffg]

Hi, nice video. Hopefully you've seen the updates Elefteriades' team have issued papers on in the past two months. Not made it to guidelines yet, but clear that if you can get fixed in a high-volume centre where the surgical risk is lower, you should be looking at intervention in tricuspid non-CTD non-familial at 5.0 cm, or even less. One of the papers has an interesting age-based nomogram. Vital to get your BP down immediately and effectively, below 120/80, and not the NICE/NHS figure of not treating until 140/90.

[phucyutoob]

Is it possible to have a mild dilated aorta without having an aneurysm?

[Dinoslava]

Hello, I’m a 49 year old female that after having moderate pneumonia had a follow up diagnostic test (ct w/ contrast) that discovered I have a bovine arch and a thoracic aortic dilation of 4.0cm. I’m not going to lie, I’m scared. I currently have controlled hypertension, . In the past I suffered from migraines since teens, had severe preeclampsia with two pregnancies, and now I worry if this is all related to this dilation. I have a lot of risk factors, I haven’t seen a cardiologist but I plan to. I was told to redo the CT in 1 year. Is this protocol? Honestly this diagnosis has left me stunned and anxious. Im grateful for the findings, but I’m lost on the outcome and what the future holds for me now.

[ants]

Doc I have a BSA of 2.25 I got an echo at hampden stadium and my sinus valsas was 4.0 I then got a dye CT scan and it was still 4.0 then I went back for a echo a year later and it was 4.0 - everything else normal with triscup value all normal - cardiologist says come back every 5 year - is that safe you think?

[gumbypuga]

I’m 53 years old had my aortic valve replaced 17 year ago with a mechanical valve.. last year my ascending aorta was 5.0 waiting for my appointment in march to see if still the same I really hope not to have another open heart surgery

[kikiob]

Last year I had a cardiac score test performed. Not needed, the local hospital had a special for heart month, and I just wanted to see how I scored. It was perfect! They did notice that my ascending aorta was dilated at 4.4 cm. My doctor said it wasn't of concern. At this years physical I reminded my doctor so she decided to send me for another scan to see if there were any changes. I just got my results back today and the number has not changed. Still 4.4 cm. I haven't spoken to my doctor yet about the results, but when she gave me the scan referral earlier this year, she said I could have been born with this. Is this true? Can people be born with this condition? For reference I'm a 48 y/o female. No family history of heart conditions.

[englelisa]

The study was technically limited.
• Heart Rhythm: sinus rhythm.
• Normal chamber sizes.
• The left ventricular global systolic function is normal. No left
ventricular segmental wall motion abnormalities identified, but
endocardial definition is suboptimal.
• Valves poorly visualized, by color/ Doppler, no obvious significant
abnormalitites
• The aortic root is grossly normal in size at the sinuses of Valsalva.
The ascending aorta is mildly dilated. Ascending aorta measures 4.1 cm@
3.1 cm distal to STJ
• The inferior vena cava is not well visualized, probably at least mildly
dilated
• Compared with prior report dated 1/28/2022: ascending aorta was not
visualized on prior study
I am a 56 year old woman with a bmi that is 66.
Do you think it would be safe to have weight loss surgery?

[JonathanFederico-bg]

thanks for your video. I have an aortic anuresym at 4.2cm with a bicuspid aortic valve the valve has a tiny leak but its been like that for years and the valve itself hasnt got worse. My question is is there a chance that I can live with this with out surgery im only 33 if I do need surgery can I live a normal life afterwards.

[amouageinterlude]

Hi, nice Video. My Cardiologist told me i have a ascending aorta between 40 to 42mm. Im very tall (6 feet 7) and ive been doing weightlifting for the past 10 years. BSA is 2.45. My Cardiologist told me i can continue weightlifting and its not as bad as it sounds. Do you agree? Best regards from Germany.

[sumitchourasia]

Last year my father died after operating surgery. He had server aortic reguration and bulging descending aorta. His age was 62. We hoped that after surgery hw will be fine but unfortunately the operation resulted many side effects from stroke to blood clotting to infection all this took his life 😢.

[fredericktinnin]

My wife was just diagnosed as having mild leaky mitro valve. The doctor she saw for the first time said it's nothing to worry about. That the heart murmurs are fine. Should we worry? What can we do. I've been following you for 7yrs.

[sWavrDude]

Found out yesterday, while doing a coronary calcium scan, that I have a mildly dilated ascending aorta. Normal is 3.7-4.0 cm. Mine measured at 4.1. So maintaining good pressure is ultra important to stabilize. No family history of aortic aneurisms.

[sondersrn]

My female relative was diagnosed with ascending Aorta aneurysm 37mm x 37mm she was diagnosed with aspiration pneumonia 5/2024 had a CT scan that is how they found it . She has gone to numerous doctors because she has difficulties swallowing and cough now she complains of pulsating pulse in her abdomen when she goes to sleep . Are those symptoms related to the aneurysm? Should a cardiologist be the specialty following the patient ?