Mark's Posts

Diagnosis: Aortic Regurgitation, Aortic Stenosis, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Member Since: September 24, 2018

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Mark Jaycox posted an update
2 years ago (March 10, 2024)
I had my OHS over 5 years ago. I chose the Edwards Inspiris Resilla valve. I had a bicuspid valve. The reason for this post is I just had my 5 year anniversary and feel great. I went in for my echo and my cardiologist discovered my aorta grew from... Read more.
I thought 5.5 was the surgery range for using use below formula What is normal aorta size by age? "); display: inline-block; height: 24px; width: 24px; transform: rotateZ(180deg);"> The upper normal limit for ascending aorta can be calculated with the formula D(mm) = 31 + 0.16*age and for descending aorta... Read more.
Surgical in major medical centers (like Cleveland) is 5.0 for average height/build. Nobody can say how fast/slow they'll grow. Took me many years to go from 4.5/6 to 4.9. I was getting scanned ever 3 months at that point. In the end, however, it was my valve that forced the... Read more.
I wonder if the guidelines before valve surgery are the same as post surgery. It also probably depends where the aneurysm has formed.
My blood pressure is fine and I'm sorry I made a mistake. I meant to say if it gets to 5.5 not 4.5 so I have .9cm to go.
My cardiologist also said 5.5 but the surgeon said 5.0.
Mark Jaycox posted an update
2 years ago (February 28, 2024)
Update: I went on Virginia Mason’s website and found the tests results. The ascending aorta is ectatic, measuring up to 4.6cm in diameter. Everything else in normal. My last CT scan was in 2018 when it was 3.9 so its grown .7 in 6 years. I will need the cardiologist... Read more.
😂 J Alexander Lassally reacted to this
Don't know yet. I'll know after my next visit in April.
The doc may mean a beta blocker to slow the heart rate and lower the Blood pressure. I was put on a beta blocker when my aneurysm was discovered in 2016. (I had surgery in March 1017). Hopefully the aneurysm will stabilize and you will not need another surgery!
Yes, hopefully it will settle down with the medicine.
Mark Jaycox posted an update
2 years ago (January 24, 2024)
I just celebrated my 5 year heart valve anniversary last month. Yesterday I saw my cardiologist for my echo. After having the echo I met with my cardiologist and he gave me the good news my valve looks great. I was so excited I started to get up and leave... Read more.
Wow, that is hard news to get. I have read several accounts of this happening, so hopefully someone will chime in and connect with you. I guess I was “lucky” that my aneurysm appeared first, and therefore was the driving force in getting my surgery. I did have my bicuspid... Read more.
Mark, I had a .7 cm difference on my aortic aneurysm between echo and CT. CT is the gold standard for measurement. I'd encourage you to have the CT and then see what's next.
Hopefully CAT scan will show better news than echo 🙏
Yes, the CT is the gold standard. I’ve had at least one echo that was far off.
UGH!! Not great news but like everyone said, wait for the CT measurements. I was lucky enough to have my aneurism repaired during my aortic valve replacement. I had been under surveillance for 10 years for the aneurism and the valve drove the surgery!!! Good Luck!
Sorry to hear this, CT is best but also wait to hear the full results, it seems common seen a few people say it’s happened to them but it’s been managed well. Wishing you all the best
First off, sorry to hear about this Mark. I did want to ask if had noticed or experienced any symptoms recently that would be related? I just scheduled my 2yr follow up echo and then cardiologist appointments as this will also be my post op five year scan. I'm hoping... Read more.
I'm going in for the CT scan on Feb 16th so I'll send an update after the visit.

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