“Ascending aortic aneurysm?”
I was diagnosed with AAA about 2 years ago. Based on a CT scan it seems to have grown from 4 cm to 4.2 cm in last year. My doctor says don't worry "yet". I am.
2 questions: What is the margin of error for these measurements, and do they round off to the nearest mm and not use 100ths of a cm?
2 questions: What is the margin of error for these measurements, and do they round off to the nearest mm and not use 100ths of a cm?
Male | 70 years old
Medications: levothyroxin, fenofibrate, toprol, nexium
6 Answers
Mark Rasak
Cardiologist
Your doctor is correct. The CT scan is very accurate. Not a concern until it's greater than 4.5 cm.
Yes, the margin of error allows that there may have been no change. Even if there was twice the change it is not yet at a dangerous level so they will probably arrange another CT in a year or two, to get a clearer idea of whether it is progressing. In the mean time it is vital to keep your blood pressure on the low side of normal, by regular medication (in addition to the metoprolol) if required.
It's about 5 cm start to consider Surgery.
The margin of error for all imaging test , whether it is an echocardiogram, carotid study, lung nodule or aorta size can be a lot, but it is in millimeters not centimeters. The dimensions you have now can be monitored. The endografts are very successful and much easier on your body than open surgery so there is a trend to do them in the 4-4.5cm range rather than> 5.0 cm
Aortic aneurysms usually grow very slowly, about 0.8cm -.16cm per year. I don't know what the margin of error is, but the measurements are usually very accurate, either by CT scan or echocardiogram. You need to keep your blood pressure under tight control, which I'm sure your doctor has told you. They usually wait until about 5cm before surgery is recommended, unless there are other variables involved. A radiologist, or nuclear cardiologist may be able to answer your question more thoroughly.
Your Doctor is correct. It is not large enough to correct at this size.
