Patient
"I am a 48 y.o. male (D.D.S. by profession) who monitored an ascending aortic aneurysm for ten years with echocardiograms every 6 months. With time my diagnosed (by an allergist) 4.7 cm increased to 5cm. Mayo Rochester originally recommended open heart surgery at 5.5cm, since I had no artery, valve or aortic trunk issues, but changed their recommendation to immediate open heart surgery when I reached 5cm. I sought a 2nd opinion from Dr. Eales at Abbott, who asked me why I was in such a hurry to undergo such an invasive procedure with no symptoms, risks or previous history. Knowing the risks (aortic dissection would require a rush Med-evac by helicopter 90 miles North or South) we decided to monitor another 4 years until I became 5.4cm. A pre-op CT revealed my aneurysm was actually 5.7cm and I knew it was time to sign up. I researched successful surgeons on the internet with mixed success and wondered if I should fly to Ohio where I heard the NBA sends their multi-million dollar athletes. Dr. Eales and his team accommodated my request for a pre-Thanksgiving surgery so I could be back to serving my patients starting 2017. I am extremely pleased with my choice of surgeon and hospital and would like to give Dr. Eales and his team 5 STARS for their professionalism, accommodations, expertise, attention to detail and caring bedside manner. I would like to extend a BIG THANK YOU for helping me put this unfortunate vessel abnormality behind me! It has been 7 weeks and I am back to saving teeth!" -- Keith Flack , Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 11/21/2016