I just had a echocardiogram, where the aortic root was measured. It was 44mm, vs. the upper end of normal which is 39mm. Anyone else dealing with this issue and what has your doctor said about it? I don't see my doc until March. Thanks
I dont think 44 mm. is worthy of any more attention than a periodic check to see that it remains stable.
You are in the "gray" area where some doctors would call it a dilation, some an aneurism, and some, particularly if you are tall, as high-normal.
Sometimes when the root is too large, it causes leaking of the mitral valve (at the base of the aortic root) and regurgitation which can be heard as a murmur.
I wouldn't worry too much about it but just put it in your back brain to remember to check on the size again in a couple years to see if it is growing. Of course, if you have or develop a murmur, more active engagement is probably required.
I just had a echocardiogram, where the aortic root was measured. It was 44mm, vs. the upper end of normal which is 39mm. Anyone else dealing with this issue and what has your doctor said about it? I don't see my doc until March. Thanks
The normal range for root is 2.0-3.7cm or convert 20-37mm, 39mm is somewhat more liberal. According to the echo report my aortic root is 3.4cm, and I have moderate mitral valve regurgitation. Areas of interest include the leaflets that should close and prevent any backflow during systole (pumping phase), as well as the cordae that attach to the leaflets are normal and not elongated, and no pappilary muscle damge that the cords attach. If the leaflets close properly when appropriate, there is no problem in my opinion, but there should be an explanaton! The doppler with the echo would color-code blood flow and show whether or not there is any regurgitation. You do not indicate leakage so I assume there is none.
Was the aortic root the only dimension out of range?
I apologize for not responding sooner, for some reason, no email notification was sent. My cardiologist said there was mild regurgitation but the leaflets are doing o.k. In the last 7yrs my aortic root has changed from 41mm to 44mm, so it maybe an age thing causing expansion. I'm fairly tall, (6ft 4") so they check me out every year. The only other issue is A-Fib which is controlled by meds. I try to keep my BP low as possible. I haven't a clue as to what the ascending or descending aorta's are, but plan to get a copy of the echo.
I appreciate the insight; I don't like being outside the "normal" range, but at least it's a "known." It's the ones we don't know about that come home to bite!
Thanks for following up on your condition. And good news is always welcome and interesting.
It is difficult to get an exact measurement as the borders of the valve and heart wall are "fuzzy" on the echo screen. The tech manually places the transducer image on the border and attempts to make an exact representation...so there almost always is a variation in the size.
Many people as they age will experience an increase in heart size that may account for some insignificant increase in the size of the root. Your dimension of the root maybe normal for you and no problem. No significant leakage is the important factor.
