General Chat

Has anyone had an aneurism repaired? They have just found a large one of my B-in-L's abdominal aorta, about 8cms across, and he is awaiting an operation to repair it. How do they go about it?

My father in law did years ago. He was told that it would last about 15 years. He died over 20 years after the repair of a totally unrelated illness (cancer) and never had a moments problem after he got over the operation.

By the way he was 84 years old when he died.

Edit - Looks like Uzzi's father had the same op as my FIL

My Dad had his aneurism repaired when he was was 80, they put a sleeve over the bulge is the simplest way to explain it. he was out of hospital and about very quickly for his age. Sadly he died 6mths later of leukemia.

Thanks for the replies. I will keep you updated.

Local man was having his aneurism monitored QA in Pompey. Went for his usual check, told to come back after the usual length of time.

On the way home he closed the A27 for four hours. His aneurism had burst while he drove home.

Quite an extreme way to jump the queue I would have thought!

I am being monitored six monthly as mine grsdually gets a bit larger. If you read Dr Google I understand 5.2 cm is where they start thinking of operating. I gather it is inserting a sort of stent and sealing over it rather than the anticlot type stent.

Am I the only woman to have one? Dr Google refers exclusively to men.

It is now possible for all men over 65 to have a free scan for this - OH checked with his doc who said he -OH - could arrange it independently on line.

Elizabeth - in our Trust area, letters are sent out all men in their 65th year, inviting them to a screening for Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Men are 6 times more likely to have one than women. You must be unlucky :-0

Risks increase if
You are or have been a smoker
You have high blood pressure
Your brothers, sisters or parents has or has had one.

Results
Less than 3cm - normal
3cm-4.4cm = scans every 12 months
4.5cm-5.4 cm = scans every 3 months
5.5cm or larger = specialist scans and consultation about treatment which could involve an op.

The cause of my mother's death in 1994 was Aortic Aneurism, she was 85, it was discovered apparently when she had a bowel op 2/3 years previously but as far as I know she was not offered an op to repair it. (Or more likely, she was and refused).

I had the test last year. Apparently if you are normal at 65 or over then you don't need testing again.

My brother in law had an aorta aneurism .he had a sort of coiled stent put in that opened up in the bulge but then stopped it getting bigger and stopped the blood flow going into the bulge

In 2009 my brother went for a routine test and was found to have an Abdominal Aorta Aneurysm measuring 4.1cm. He has this checked every six months. Last weeks scan showed this was 4.3cm. He has been reassured that he will be monitored closely

Initially the family went into panic mode, but the Vascular Consultant has reassured my brother that everything is under control and AAA can be very slow growing.

8cm is large Bob. I hope that your brother in law is operated on soon and that all
will go well for him then.

Well, after a series of tests, it was decided that it would be fixed with a stent, waiting time 10 weeks. Then it was decided that a stent would not suffice, and they would go in with the knife, so another CT scan. They then decided that they couldn't go in with the knife as it would be too dangerous, and have referred him to yet another department. He got this information late on Friday, from a secretary, too late to ask questions, and it is a bank holiday week-end. Watch this space.

Well that is just typical Bob. I hope everything can be explained fully after the bank holiday so that your B in L can be reassured and then given the correct treatment.

He is going under the knife next Wednesday.

I am sure that everything will go well for your B in L Bob. This is planned surgery.
The alternative of the AAA rupturing doesn't bear thinking about. Keep positive!

Well, the operation was a success. The surgeon said that the aneurism was about 13cms, and he was lucky that it hadn't already ruptured. Doesn't bear thinking about, especially if he had been driving! We can go on our camping trip to Devon tomorrow with confidence. (Not with him of course, just my side of the family)

That is great news Bob. I haven't heard of an abdominal aorta aneurysm of 13cm!!!

Thank goodness it is sorted so everyone can relax and breathe a sigh of relief.
I hope your brother in law makes a good recovery. Enjoy your holiday in Devon now.

Just wondering how your B in L is now Bob. Hope he is recovering well.

He is hoping to be discharged today. The weather in Devon was wet, and wet, and wet. I came home to find £100 cheque for winning on the premium bonds.

Great news, so glad to hear he's on the mend. I know how we worried about F I L but he was fine.

Hope he recovers as quick as F I L, we were astonished. :-)