I will make this short if I can. On 7-19-07 I had a stent placed in my left anterior descending artery. I had one in there already from 9 years ago, but during a heart cath the cardiologist said I was about 90% blocked around the old stent and wanted to put a stent in directly above it. I was released from the hospital the next day 7-20-07, and I felt fine. after finally getting a good nights sleep, I woke up the very next day 7-21-07 early, and feeling good.
Well I felt good for about 1 hour, and then had a big heart attack. I was transported by helicopter about 25 miles away, and was given morphine, nitro, baby aspirin, and other stuff not sure of. When I got to the hospital, I was given a heart cath again, and they found that the previous stent that was just put in, was not placed correctly. the end of the stent was collapsed, and there was space between the artery wall and the stent.
Well, I had to have open heart surgery and a single bypass done, and have been released from the hospital. Whether it be single, double, triple, quad bypass, they still open you up, and it sure isnt very comfortable.
My question to you good people is, have you ever heard of a stent clogging in 2 days, or does this kinda seem that someone didnt expand the stent fully enough. there are 2 different hospitals involved here. The one where I got the stent, and the one where I had surgery. I could really use some good advice on things to remember while recovering, and any one elses experience with a dramatically failed stent like I had.
I will make this short if I can. On 7-19-07 I had a stent placed in my left anterior descending artery. I had one in there already from 9 years ago, but during a heart cath the cardiologist said I was about 90% blocked around the old stent and wanted to put a stent in directly above it. I was released from the hospital the next day 7-20-07, and I felt fine. after finally getting a good nights sleep, I woke up the very next day 7-21-07 early, and feeling good.
Well I felt good for about 1 hour, and then had a big heart attack. I was transported by helicopter about 25 miles away, and was given morphine, nitro, baby aspirin, and other stuff not sure of. When I got to the hospital, I was given a heart cath again, and they found that the previous stent that was just put in, was not placed correctly. the end of the stent was collapsed, and there was space between the artery wall and the stent.
Well, I had to have open heart surgery and a single bypass done, and have been released from the hospital. Whether it be single, double, triple, quad bypass, they still open you up, and it sure isnt very comfortable.
My question to you good people is, have you ever heard of a stent clogging in 2 days, or does this kinda seem that someone didnt expand the stent fully enough. there are 2 different hospitals involved here. The one where I got the stent, and the one where I had surgery. I could really use some good advice on things to remember while recovering, and any one elses experience with a dramatically failed stent like I had.
Hi,
Stents come in different sizes. You either have an above abnormal artery size or there was an improper size implanted.
I suggest you get a copy of the cath procedure. It will provide a description of the procedure (mine is very detailed). Gives angles of observation, size and type of stent implant. It should state in conclusion something similar to wide open lumen (inner diameter of artery) with 0% residual stenosis, and no complication.
Then get a copy of the surgery report to get a perspective for the surgery. See if there is any irregularity in stent implant based on clear view of the surgeon. If you believe there was negligence seek compensatory damages. Its a rare occurrence and a prima facie case of negligence (from what I read).
Sorry to hear about your ordeal. The STLLR study that was done on the subject of stent placement revealed that up to two-thirds of the placements were not properly or imperfectly performed. With such a huge percentage of malplacement, you wonder why we don't hear more about cases like yours. I have a feeling that many more such cases are either covered up or just blamed on factors other than the proficiency of the cardiologist doing the procedure.
The study found that the problems from improper placement arise because the stent does not completely cover the diseased surface of the artery stented which results in allowing that area to build up tissue and reclose more often.
Another problem was that the stent was not fully expanded because the doctor performing the procedure was afraid to tear the artery wall, leaving a small space between the stent and the wall of the artery, again allowing for tissue buildup and reclosure.
The way the procedure is being done in many cases under angiography alone leaves a lot of guessing room as to the proper placement of the stent. Using intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) virtually eliminates this problem. So it would be prudent for a patient contemplating an angioplasty with stent placement to ask his cardiologist beforehand whether he uses IVUS or not. Check out if they used this technology in your procedure.
Your case could very likely fall in one of the above categories. The fact that you already had an old stent in that area could have also played a role in your complication. I did read about a couple of cases where the stent reclogged within a very short period of time because supposedly the the doctor failed to prescribe anticoagulant (plavix/aspirin) following the stent placement. I hope that was not the case here.
Looking on the bright side, and with all the controversy about drug eluting stents and long-term use of plavix that goes with that, it might have been a blessing in disguise because bypass surgery has a better long-term proven record, especially in your case since you already had an earlier stent that restenosed.
Right now you should concentrate on getting well after your bypass. Research and read all you can about your condition. Join a rehab program as soon as your allowed to. Exercise, diet, proper medication along with stress reduction are your best defense to keep that artery open and to put this bad experience behind you. Good luck to you.
Thanks to both of you for some very experienced and knowledgable comments. I am, at the moment, worrying only about my recovery, and learning to live a healthier lifestyle. I havent smoked in 14 days, and I am dedicated to eating better. This is not something I wish to ever have to endure again. However, I simply cant get it out of my head that this shouldn't have happened. The stent was obviously not placed correctly. I have absolutely no desire to get legal representation on this matter, however, this was such a blatant example of negligence, I feel I have no choice. Again thanks guys for your knowledge and insight.
Leaving a gap by using too small a stent is probably the single worst thing a stneting doctor can do. That small area "behind" the stent is a place where blood is slow or even entrapped and a natural (or UNNATURAL) locus of clot formation.)
Wht I am enviosioning is your doctor trying to make one continuoues stent and placing the new one slightly INTO the old one...necessitating a smaller stent and possibly causing that "end collapse."
Good luck with your lawsuit, you deserve a large settlement.
nosa,
Quote:
The STLLR study that was done on the subject of stent placement revealed that up to two-thirds of the placements were not properly or imperfectly performed. With such a huge percentage of malplacement, you wonder why we don't hear more about cases like yours. I have a feeling that many more such cases are either covered up or just blamed on factors other than the proficiency of the cardiologist doing the procedure.
Your heads up on this is very important and its is doubly important that everyone consider this before getting a stent placed for reasons other than SERIOUS pain or diablement. Stents are not for SLIGHT cases of angina, or worse for SYMPTOMLESS conditions that only come to light becasue of angiography. STENTS are NOT benign.
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