keith.uk
10-09-2008, 08:25 PM
I had a Drug eluting stent put in my blocked artery on 7-9-06
and have been told by cardiology I have a small artery blocked at 80% now but they will not do anything with it they say its too narrow so can someone please explain why.
thanks
and have been told by cardiology I have a small artery blocked at 80% now but they will not do anything with it they say its too narrow so can someone please explain why.
thanks
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Beefsteak
10-10-2008, 12:39 PM
Hi Keith, I think what they mean is the artery is too small to easily place a stent. The extent of blockage at 80% is not the problem. As you probably know the stents are inserted collapsed and then expanded inside the "blockage". After a time the stent merges into the artery wall. The stent size is expertly matched to the artery it fits. Very small arteries require very small stents and there is a lower limit of about 3mm. With stent technology the minimum is coming down. It was 4mm not so long ago. Sizes go up to about 10mm.
My problem is the blockage is right at a branch (LAD) and there is no stent that can be placed without protruding into the flow of another branch. My cardiologist said if there is any protrusion at all it means trouble and anguish!!:eek: What I need is a "Tee-shaped" stent that can be somehow inserted into the intersection and then sprung apart to open up all 3 branches.;)
We all live in hope!!
Beefsteak.
My problem is the blockage is right at a branch (LAD) and there is no stent that can be placed without protruding into the flow of another branch. My cardiologist said if there is any protrusion at all it means trouble and anguish!!:eek: What I need is a "Tee-shaped" stent that can be somehow inserted into the intersection and then sprung apart to open up all 3 branches.;)
We all live in hope!!
Beefsteak.
hopesprings2
10-10-2008, 03:03 PM
guess it depends on where it is and the risks
keith.uk
10-10-2008, 07:07 PM
Thanks for reply my Doctor said another 20% and I will have a heart attack and it will be gone easy for him to say it my kill me we live and hope my
2 cardiology said this is the one thats causing my angina so they have my meds up I now take this lot
aspirin 75mg
bisoprolol 10mg
clopidogrel 75mg
Isosorbide mononitrate 60mg x2
nicorandil 20mg
lansoprazole 30mg
simvastatin 80mg
tildiem la 300mg
Gtn
2 cardiology said this is the one thats causing my angina so they have my meds up I now take this lot
aspirin 75mg
bisoprolol 10mg
clopidogrel 75mg
Isosorbide mononitrate 60mg x2
nicorandil 20mg
lansoprazole 30mg
simvastatin 80mg
tildiem la 300mg
Gtn
Beefsteak
10-11-2008, 11:50 AM
Keith, You might consider a treatment called EECP (enhanced external counter pulsation). This is a non-invasive treatment where lower-body pressure cuffs are used to assist blood flow back to the heart, in rhythm with the heartbeat. This seems to improve blood circulation and reduce angina.
The treatment emanates from China and is not well-understood, and not so widely-used in the West. But there are clinics dotted around, including some in the UK.
It is sometimes the choice for those whose only other option is bypass surgery.
You need a doctor who has used it.
Cheers, Beefsteak
The treatment emanates from China and is not well-understood, and not so widely-used in the West. But there are clinics dotted around, including some in the UK.
It is sometimes the choice for those whose only other option is bypass surgery.
You need a doctor who has used it.
Cheers, Beefsteak
harka
10-11-2008, 08:04 PM
The reason they don't open that artery is likely because it is your right coronary artery or the RCA, and studies have shown that opening chronic blockages in this artery don't often benefit the patient. Usually this is because smaller, new tributaries form when this artery gets blocked, and while they don't do the same job as the original artery did, they do a good enough job that it doesn't make a huge difference if you open the artery or not. However, if you present with an acute heart attack and the only blockage is found to be in the RCA, they WILL open it up.