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Reocclusion After Angioplasty With Stent

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What are the chances of occlusion reoccurring after angioplasty with stent?

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Current Postings on This Page (57):

• Mondhu in Maldives -- First of all, we are not doctors and, as our disclaimer states: "No information on this Forum should be viewed as a substitute for medical advice or as a consultation with a medical doctor." You should read over our various Forum Topics on heart attack, exercise, etc., but basically you need to lower your risk factors: watch your diet, exercise and take your prescribed meds. Plavix (clopidogrel) is an anti-clotting drug, not necessarily "anti-clogging". What that means is that Plavix keeps the blood from clotting inside the stent (called thrombosis: a very serious event) but it doesn't stop the progression of coronary artery disease, which can cause tissue growth inside the stent, or elsewhere. For that, you need to do everything you can to lower your risk factors (as described). Rosuvas which is a statin (called Crestor in the U.S.) will help lower your cholesterol. Long-term effects of Plavix vary with individuals and you can read about them elsewhere, but the fact that you are recovering well is a great sign. Just keep it up, and discuss these issues with your cardiologist who can perhaps prescribe some specific things for you to do to continue your recovery.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 12, 2012

• Hi Doctor, I am a 44 year old Male who suffered a heart attack just 4 weeks back. Upon doing an angiogram, it was found that there was a 100% occluded proximally at RCA. PCI to RCA was recommended and PTCA and stenting was done a week later. The stent was 2.75x28mm "Xience Prime" (DES) at 10atm. And it was post dilated with 3x10mm "Falcon Forte" NC balloon at 12-14 ATM. A good angiographic result with TIMI III flow was shown. I have been prescribed Plavix 75mg, Ecorin 150mg, Rosuvas 20, Imdur 30, Tanatril 2.5mgm and Partocid 20. Now I am recovering well with little discomfort. Pls clarify to me how I should change my lifestyle and what are the long term effects of being on anti clogging medication. I never smoked but always on the higher borderline of Cholesterol level.
Mondhu, Raiy Villa, Maldives, February 12, 2012

• Jane -- not clear why you posted to this topic. Have you previously had an angioplasty or stent placed? In any case, we cannot give this type of medical advice on this board -- nor can anyone who is long-distance. We would urge you to ask this question of your cardiologist or doctor who ordered the ECHO. Why did your doctor order the test and how does he/she interpret the results? Do you have chest pain, etc. A standard angiogram is a safe diagnostic procedure, but it is an invasive one and unless there are specific reasons to suspect coronary disease, it's not usually indicated.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 15, 2011

• I am a female age 50 with normal BP but diabetic and cholesterol just above normal i request for an expert advice on the basis of my following ECHO test, and also please tell me do i need angiography test Mild Left Ventricle Dilation Mild left ventricle systolic dysfunction, ejection fraction 50% No aortic regurgitation/aortic stenosis Right Heart is normal No pericardial pathology.
Jane, London, England, February 15, 2011

• Bhavesh -- the big question is whether the new blockage is significant, whether it needs to be treated. This depends on how large it is, where it is, whether it is causing a significant slowdown in blood flow, whether it is causing pain. Unnecessarily stenting insignificant blockages has been shown to have poorer outcomes than leaving them alone and treating them medically. However, if the blockage is causing problems and IS significant, restoring sufficient blood flow to the heart muscle can relieve symptoms AND possibly aid the heart muscle.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 10, 2010

• hi am 28 years old. Had an angioplasty to LAD in 2008; again in 2010 have developed a blockage just beyond the stent. I dont want to undergo surgery. Are there any other options?
bhavesh, Mumbai, Maharastra, India, September 7, 2010

• Anne -- a 20% narrowing is not something that would be treated through revascularization and is probably not something causing any problems. See our response below from September 15, 2009 about what you can do to reduce the chances of reocclusion, as well as progression of coronary artery disease. As for pain, that can be subjective to some extent. If you've been experiencing pain (angina) for a long time, the sensation may remain even after the cause has been removed. This may go away or lessen, as has been your experience -- there are also anti-anginal drugs that can help. But if the angina returns and is signficiant, definitely talk to your cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 20, 2010

• I have had 2 DE stents placed for 85% and 95% blockages. I am still having the same pains in my chest, but less frequently. All ECG's have been fine, but it's not east to be relaxed about this. The cardiologist said that I also had a 20% blockage in another artery, which was not stented. I am a 60 year-old woman, and now very confused. I am on Aspirin and Plavix. What should I do if I have more severe chest pain?
Anne Henderson Richards, Brisbane, Australia, March 9, 2010

• JD -- the medication in drug-eluting stents does its job during the first three-six months or so (this varies with the brand of stent). The concept here is based somewhat on data that most restenosis (reblocking) of bare metal stents occurs in the first six months, if it is going to occur at all. So with DES, if all goes well, which it does in 90% or more the time, after this initial period, the endothelial cells cover the metal stent struts completely and the interior wall of the artery remains smooth. If the drug, which keeps cell growth from occurring, is too strong, or lasts too long a time, this natural healing is inhibited. Of course, it is important for the patient to stay on Plavix and aspirin while this healing is taking place (the first year or more) in order to minimize the chance of any blood cells attaching and accumulating around the exposed metal struts. Also to reduce controllable risk factors through lifestyle changes and adherence to medical therapy.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 15, 2009

• I was wondering if anyone knows the length of time that the DES stents continue to inhibit scar tissue. I had 3 taxus and 2 cypher stents placed in 2004, 2005. Is there a time period where the medication wears off of the stent? Thanks for your help.
JD, Florida, USA, September 9, 2009

• Imran -- there are a number of possible reasons for a stent to reblock -- even a medicated or drug-eluting stent, although the risk of reblockage is significantly reduced with this device. Stopping smoking, staying compliant with medication and diet are all good things. The idea is to reduce your risk factors as much as possible. One risk factor we cannot yet reduce is the genetic factor -- family history. Certain people have a greater tendency for atherosclerosis. But with modern medicines and interventions, if and when needed, much of this can be controlled. Dr. Dean Ornish is an American cardiologist who has developed a diet which has achieved success in some. You can read more about it here (this is NOT an endorsement of any specific plan, including this one). By the way, how was your reblockage diagnosed and was it treated with a balloon or stent?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 26, 2009

• I had 3 stents (medicated) in my RCA a year ago, during a recent medical checkup one of the stent was found 80% occluded. What could be the reasons especially once I never smoked after stenting and also been regular in medication. Can u please suggest some good diet.
imran K., Islamabad, Pakistan, August 26, 2009

• Frank -- your wife clearly is high risk for restenosis. Drug-eluting stents will hopefully be helpful here. In the bare metal stent era, when restenosis occurred, it was usually within the first six months. Can a stent close up in a shorter time? Perhaps not usually, but then your wife's history is not "usual". Definitely communicate your wife's recent episode (arm pain, paleness, pain, etc.) to the interventional cardiologist who did the stenting (we assume that's the "doctor" you're referring to). Ask if he/she thinks a less invasive test might be appropriate (for example, a CT angiogram with contrast, which is non-invasive and fast) to see if the stents are patent. As for the plavix/aspirin every other day, we can't say why your doctor has prescribed this, but you should ask why -- we are not giving out medical advice here, but we do urge patients to ask questions of their doctors until they understand why something is or isn't being done. Perhaps your cardiologist is concerned about bleeding complications. Let us know how things turn out and good luck.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 6, 2008

• My wife was diagnosed w/ spasming arteries after a recent cath that showed patent new stents (patent @ 5 wks) and patent LIMA & SVG grafts post CABG (1 yr 4 mos). She was put on 30mg Isosorbide 4x a day and still takes sublingual nitro but not as many as she used to since being put on this new medicine. She also takes Coreg 6.25mg 2x a day. . Since then the Coreg went to 4x a day but she was too dizzy and had to stop. At 2 mos since the stents went in & almost 4 wks since last cath, something changed this weekend. Instead of her usual chest pressure she was woken with chest pressure & last night while at a function she had the worst episode just sitting in her chair. She turned white, her jaw hurt, she had arm pain. Her bp was 134/76 p72 when we got home and nitro helped for a short period (30 min). She has blocked stents (for the last 3 years) within 3 mos each time and is on the highest dosage statins, takes all meds but is diabetic over30 yrs. This is happening a lot just in the last few days and her nitro usage is at least 4x a day today. The dr is not taking seriously because he looked almost 4 weeks ago but she is worsening. The question is can an artery restenose that quickly? Knowing her history should I really be pushing another look? I thank you again for your advice. I am very upset by the recent turn.
Frank G., New Jersey, USA, April 6, 2008

• My wife had 4x CABG 1 1/2 years ago. Within 6 mos she closed the vein graft to the RCA. 1 yr after a native branch off the circumflex closed (a native artery). It was reopened with a stent (bare metal) and closed right down. Reopened with a balloon and that shifted plaque into the circumflex itself and that required 2 stents and that closed off the branch cutting the original bare metal stent in "stent jail". That branch closed. At 6 weeks she had a cath because chest pressure and jaw pain was back and it showed the circumflex was still opened and stents patent. Now at 10 weeks the chest pressure is worse, jaw pain worse, dizziness, she is woken up by chest pressure (gastric ruled out), she responds to nitro, she has high bp controlled by meds but not enough because her bp is still 140/85 p 85. The Dr says its too soon at 10 weeks for a blockage. She has small arteries (2.5mm) and has reblocked prior to the CABG within 3 mos. She is diabetic since 7 - now age 42, takes insulin, capoten, aspirin & plavix every other day per the doctor. With gastric ruled out, its really not too soon for a new blockage in 2 stents in the circumflex is it? (The 2 new stents put in the circumflex were drug eluting stents.) Plus, the entire world takes plavix and aspirin every day. I do not understand why her Dr says every other day? Does this put her at a greater risk (although every time she's had stents in past, he did the same and she never had a clot but she did reblock in a short period)? Is that why?
Frank G., New Jersey, USA, April 1, 2008

• Dave -- smoking is perhaps the number one risk factor for artery narrowing. Angioplasty and stenting are mechanical fixes for a biological problem. They give you a "second chance" but it is very important to make changes in lifestyle (such as stopping smoking), diet, etc. as well as stay compliant with any medications your cardiologist prescribes.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 31, 2008

• Hi.. I went through angioplasty last Nov. BY God's grace all went on great...I have a medicated stent inserted. I just want to know if this narrowing of the arteries happen time & again? If so, how much time does it take for the arteries to narrow down?? Does smoking contribute to narrowing of the arteries, what else does??? If there is a Doctor in the the house, I'll appreciate if you could lay down the facts for me... GOD BLESS YOU ALL & LOOK we all are gonna die someday... Lets invest our time in GOD so that we can enjoy the life after death with HIM.
Dave, India, March 26, 2008

• Pankaj -- your question is not really about RE-occlusion, but we'll try to help. Your father's interventional cardiologist is the best person to explain this to you, because he/she will have the necessary clinical information and angiograms to help make a judgement. Two 85% blockages in the same artery, especially the LAD, would seem significant. Does your father have symptoms? Certainly angioplasty is an option. But ask questions of your doctor, especially "how will this treatment help my father?" and "Is there an alternative, such as medical therapy?". We're not advising you one way or another -- just suggesting that you get as much information as you can so you all feel the correct thing is being done.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 16, 2008

• My Father is having 2 blocks of 85% in left side of heart i.e.in LAD IS Angioplast necessary. Please guide me.
Pankaj, Stanza (retailer), India, March 14, 2008

• Dear Angioplasty.Org Staff, I would like to express a sincere thank you for your response! You folks have my support for the great job that you do, and this is only day one on this site. Best of health to you!
Wayne Post, Vancouver Island, Canada, February 25, 2008

• Wayne -- the question of whether or not (and how) to open a total occlusion is one that is much debated in the cardiology community. If you have significant collaterals, these have not grown overnight, which would indicate that the total occlusion has been there for some time. The reason to revascularize (open up a blockage) is to normalize the blood/oxygen supply to the heart. If the collaterals are already doing that, and you are not suffering angina, then your cardiologist's opinion is one shared by many. As for EDTA, a.k.a. chelation therapy, it has never been proven to be of value. However, an NIH-sponsored study was begun back in 2002 and is still recruiting. The Trial to Assess Chelation Therapy (TACT) won't be finished recruiting until 2009 (they have 163 centers). More info about the study can be found at ClinicalTrials.Gov. We look forward to the results, but as of now, there's no real data to show this therapy is valid. The danger is that patients will self-treat (and spend money on the drugs) and avoid the proven therapies. You're doing the right thing by exercising and staying with your meds. Good luck and keep in touch.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 25, 2008

• I have a DES which opened my 90% blocked LAD Dec/2006). My RCA is completely blocked. Apparently, my body is making collateral channels around the RCA blockage and the LAD is assisting by backfilling the RCA. My cardiologist says that bi-pass or routing the RCA blockage versus leaving things alone as is, won't change my longevity outcomes. Conclusion: I stick to my heart meds and work out regularly. Question: does EDTA work on reversing plaque?
Wayne Post, Vancouver Island, Canada, February 25, 2008

Dr. Sumera: How come you are not taking aspirin (75 - 325 mg) with all other medications? Given no major side effects (ASA allergies, Ulcers, bleeding etc), my understanding was that after DET combination therapy (Plavix and ASA) was mandatory.
Noni, New Jersey, USA, February 24, 2008

• This is reply to Sunita on Dr. Dean Ornish program. It's an excellent program but you have to combine it with aspirin and statins. Here is my experience. MI at age 33 (1992). I started on Dr. Ornish's program (perhaps 70%). After 8 years (2000), did get slow progression of CAD (but no new lesion formation! only progression of 5 old lesions)). Did get stents placed in decade old lesions (LAD and RCA). Recently went to hospital due to palpitations (NSVT was found perhaps due to 16 years old scar tissue!). Also on January 2008, a BMS was implanted on the last small diagonal artery lesion (this lesion was there 8 years ago but left untreated because of very small size < 2mm). BUT THERE WAS NO SIGNIFICANT PROGRESSION OF CAD IN 8 YEARS (from 2000 to 2008!!). I am a South Asian professional and on 20mg pravachol, 2000 mg Niaspan, 12.5 mg BID Creg, 325 ASA for last 7 years. I really believe that changing my life style (reformed Dr. Ornish program) and medications kept me alive. (of course I was on Plavix for limited time following my PCI and stents). I kept all my records (lipid profiles, eating habits, CDs of 3 cardiac caths and 3 PCI procedures, ECHOs and EStressT) and am planning to write a book.
Noni, New Jersey, USA, February 24, 2008

• Chrissy -- have you visited an interventional cardiologist (the specialist who does angioplasty and stenting)? Have your angiograms that showed the blockages sent to one and see what they say.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 27, 2007

• I am looking for alternative -- I had 6 bypass surgery year ago 8 months later closed. cannot do anything else. is that true?
Chrissy, Florida, USA, December 23, 2007

• Crystal -- as a family member, you might be able to call the cardiologist and describe your father's symptoms. If there is anything wrong, it should be looked at. There are non-invasive tests that can be done to rule out problems.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 6, 2007

• I NEED HELP PLEASE!!!! My dad had a major heart attack last year. He had surgery immediately. Thank god for the quick action of the ER doctors and the media flight. His main Coronary Artery was blocked 99% the doctor went in and put 2 stents in. My dad is having pains in his arm and has been for about 2 months. He is stubborn and won't go see the doctor about it. I am worried he hasn't done anything to hurt his arm he sits home all the time. Do you know what this could be? VERY WORRIED DAUGHTER PLEASE HELP!
Crystal, Illinois, USA, September 3, 2007

• My husband had a quadruple bypass in 5-5-05. On 7-19-07 by cadiac scan he has 2 bypass vessels reclogged by 70 percent. His cardiologist has recommended for him stent procedure. What kind of stent would be good?
Roslin, New Jersey, USA, August 2, 2007

• My husband had 2 stents inserted in his coronary artery. 14 months later, after months of shoulder pain, shortness of breath, lethargy, he had a massive heart attack and then by pass surgery. It was discovered that his stents had become completely occluded. What tests should have been performed that would have indicated that the stents were becoming blocked? He had been taking aspirin but no other thinning medicine. Thanks.
Mary M., Maryland, USA, July 1, 2007

• My Dad has undergone PTCA ( Angioplasty - i.e. putting a stent to an artery of heart) 6 years back..Can he start doing Pranayama? Stress Test recently done show mild changes and was positive..however he had high BP suddenly developed just before starting he stress test ( mental issue mostly)...Can you advise if Pranayam will improve his condition. he has another 2 arteries blocked - more than 80%
Uday, Bangalore, India, August 4, 2006

• I am asking advice for my mother she had one block which was 80% and since it was close to the main vessel the docs suggested for bypass and she is 50yrs old highly diabetic and obese.Just two days ago she started having breathing problem and they did angiogram and found that there is another block which is 70% in a ring shaped.Now the doctors are wondering what would be the best to do.But my question is that how is that within five months of her bypass she would have got another block now.Any doctors advice would be appreciated.
Prabha R., India, May 5, 2006

• The Best Remedy to all the aforementioned problems is Yoga, please do Pranayama Yoga for just 20 minutes every day in the morning and see it for yourself, click the following link to see how to do yoga: http://www.yogapoint.com/info/pranayama.htm
Murali, Modi, Charlotte,NC,USA, February 23, 2006

• I am about 45 . I underwent angioplasty in june 2005 and Allhamdullilah feeling well. My cholesterol, my recent Ett test was nice as i exercised 12-30 minute. Allhamdullilah i run and am in nice health. i wish to know how long a stent works and further prevention in this regard. with thanks.
nazar, business, jhelum, punjab, pakistan, January 28, 2006

• I would like to followup on question posted by Dr. Sumera Tahir. My father is in similar situation after 3 weeks of Angioplasty. Did you find answers to your question?
Vikas Ratna, Delhi, India, January 16, 2006

• I experienced mild chest pains and discomfort for several days following my stent procedure (a single, drug-eluting stent in my left anterior descending artery). I now feel fine, aside from occasional light-headedness, which is likely attributed to my drug regime. Oddly, none of my physicians had suggested that these symptoms may be experienced.
Peter Hartel, Ontario, Canada, January 03, 2006

• I'm here in the Pakistan, aged 42 and had a drug eluting stent one month ago - which my consultant confirmed was a "good result" - Now I am experiencing chest discomfort some times i need to take long breaths as well. I dont want to make a fuss as I am very anxious about this anyway and feel sure that something awful is going to happen - should I go back to my consultant again or could this just be the aftermath pains - any comments would be appreciated as Im just trying to convince myself that everything is okay. I am takinkg Lipitar 10 mg, Concor 25 mg and Plavix. I My cholestrol is ideal and BP remains normal Thank you
Dr. Sumera Tahir, IEFR, Pakistan, January 03, 2006

• I would like a followup on Jenni Mills from the UK - I am in a similar situation. What have you found?
Peter Hartel, Canada, December 22, 2005

• My husband; (58) had 4 cardiac stents, including 1 drug eluting for 100% RCA block, inserted in June this year. Since then he has has had left sided epigastric pain (ie under ribs; back thru to the front) which has become unrelenting and severe. He is now on mophone to control the pain. He has had 2 cardiac stress tests, with excellent cardiac function. No angina like pain as he had prior to stenting. Has anyone heard of this or experienced this?
Bryn & Nigel Stables, New Zealand, December 05, 2005

• I am talking about my friend who has got heart attack 4 weeks ago followed by angioplasty and stenting week after,he was discharged from hospital 2 weeks ago,since 3 days he felt stitching pain,shortnesof breath so he was admitted again but his investigation was normal as regard ECG and troponinT,he still feels stitching pain ,how cuold you explain it?
Waleed Abdelhamid, South Tees Hospitals, Middlesbrough,UK, May 19, 2005

• Just a response to all. Please try Dean Ornish's school of thought. It is amazing and has worked for my father who is also diabetic. Everyday walking, reasonably strict diet control, and light exercises and yoga. You will feel the change.
Sunita, India, November 25, 2005

• Hi there, I'm here in the UK, aged 42 and had a drug eluting stent one week ago - which my consultant confirmed was a "good result" - however I have continued to experience left arm pain and chest discomfort - I dont want to make a fuss as I am very anxious about this anyway and feel sure that something awful is going to happen - should I go back to my consultant again or could this just be the aftermath pains - any comments would be appreciated as Im just trying to convince myself that everything is okay. Thank you
Jenni Mills, UK, August 09, 2005

• HI, My mother had undergone a coronary bypass 10 years back. Oflate she had developed couple of blocks again. She had to undergo an angioplasty for a 90% blockage while another block could not be cleared (similar to the case of Shankar). Its 50 days now. But ocassionally she still complains of spasm around the jaw area and heaviness of heart, similar to the kind of pain she was getting constantly before the angioplasty was done. Couple of times, she has gone back to taking sorbitrate to bring herself back to normal. What could be the cause of this?
Jothi Sastry, Bangalore, India, July 28, 2005

• Rickey.Marsh, I have had 6 angioplasties with a total of 12 Coronary Stents inserted in the last 2 years. I need another which they will do soon. You are not a nut. However, have you ever been injected with the Anthrax Vaccine?
RayZ, San Marcos CA USA, July 14, 2005

• Sankar, Sorry to hear that they couldnt open up the RCA too. Since you are in CIAL, you may get a second opinion from SCT, Trivandrum, AIMS or Vellore Med. College. Whenever I was in India, many people narrated to me their success stories of reversing coronary artery disease by major lifestyle changes, naturopahy & ayurveda . May be you should think of parellely perusing alternative therapies too..
Anand, Dubai, July 10, 2005

• Sankar -- glad you are walking better than before. Your cardiologist should be able to answer your questions about whether the heaviness is due to the right coronary artery still being blocked. It may be that you are "left dominant" and that the right isn't doing that much. Impossible for anyone to say without seeing the angiograms. There are any number of reasons why your cardiologist did not pursue opening up the RCA. There is a quotation from Voltaire, "Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien" translated loosely as "Perfection is the Enemy of Good" -- it was often used by angioplasty pioneer, Dr. Richard Myler, to emphasize that it is important to use caution and sometimes not do a procedure if you judge it may do more harm than good. If you have any questions, you might want to get a second opinion, not so much to question if your cardiologist's diagnosis is correct, but to put your mind at ease that all that can be done, has been done.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 26, 2005

• Hi, I am Sankar, from India, 32yrs old male. Ten days ago, I had PTCA Stenting - TAXUS - for LAD (90% block) with a fair degree of success. I have 95% block in the RCA. My cardiologist said that this could not be stented because they could not push through the guide wire. However, according to him, I should be able to carry on with medications. I started exercising (brisk walk) two days after the procedure. Prior to the PTCA, I could not walk even for half an hour, that too very slowly, due to heaviness in the chest area. Now I am able to walk quite briskly for one hour exactly. Occassionally, I feel a slight heaviness around the chest region. I would like to know whether the block in the RCA which could not be cleared could be the reason for the heaviness during walk. I would also like to add that when I reduce speed, the heaviness vanishes and thereafter, I am able to walk even more fast than earlier. Grateful, if a qualified cardiologist could give me a reply. I am taking Nebivolol, Clopidogrel, Aspirin, Ramipril, Folic Acid and Rosuvastatin.
Sankar, CIAL, India, June 07, 2005

• Rick -- sorry you're having chest pains again. Are you currently taking any blood-thinner meds like aspirin or Plavix? Those are important, although Plavix is usually only given for a few months post-stenting. (Of course, you should only take drugs, even aspirin, if you've consulted an M.D. -- don't substitute anything from this or any other website for actual medical care.) You're at 20 months post-stent and statistics show that if you got this far your original stent "took". Coronary artery disease is progressive and angioplasty and stenting are not cures for the disease -- but they are treatments that can help. Patients can also help themselves by stopping smoking, if they do, watching diet, exercise and those things -- of course, sometimes the genes just keep messing us up. In the old days (up until the 80's) you'd just be given pills and told to sit on the porch for the rest of your life -- or maybe you'd have bypass surgery. You certainly did the right thing, going in to the hospital when you felt pains. With the Thallium test positive, that indicates something is up. But a Thallium scan can't pinpoint physically where the problem is. It's possible that the area that was stented has closed up. But more likely, you may be having a blockage in a completely different area. Without the imaging done in a catheterization, it's impossible to say. Talk to the cardiologist if you can. Ask if they plan to put in another stent during the cath if they find another blockage. As for your concern about your level of care, if you got a Cordis drug-eluting stent in August 2003, you were among the earliest recipients -- and they were in short supply at the beginning (the Cypher was only approved in April of that year). And yes, there are many physicians in the U.S. healthcare system from other countries and while some don't speak English as well as others, many are excellent and caring physicians. But the patient comes first. The important thing is to keep asking questions if you don't understand the answers (sometime even native English speaking people have trouble communicating -- ever had that happen?). If you haven't, check out our article, Your and Your Physician. And feel free to write back to this Forum. Definitely let us know how things went.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 21, 2005

• Hello, my name is Rick. I had a drug eluting stent made by the Cordis corporation. Texas: In Aug.03 and this year 2005 I'm having some mild chest pain and tightness in left side of neck. My heart feels like it's sticking like pinching in shoulder blade but heart area only not in back. I had tests at Veterans in Iowa City, hospital on March 22 05. They said it was positive so now i have to go in May 05 for catheterization to look at heart area. Why couldn't they tell with my thallium dye test? After all this discomfort. is it because I'm on disability and not good insurance were treated as put offs in American hospitals,and given foreign doctors we can't understand? Viet-nam vet wants answers please! God bless all who are going through stent and other heart work. amen
Rickey.Marsh, East Peoria, Illinois, USA, 61611, April 21, 2005

• I had 2 stent placements with 2 stents in 1 artery and 4 in another, in April 96 and Aug 96. I have chronic chest pain now and am a Vet being treated at a VA facility. They have done several caths, the last one over a year ago and it showed 40-50% blockages in 3 arteries. I am now having tightness in my chest and severe right chest pain. What are the chances of the blockages growing in that short of a time. The drs at VA think I am a mental case.
Margaret Dawkins, Oklahoma CIty, OK, April 12, 2005

• I have had an angioplasty 7 month ago and have had a bypass operation 11 years ago, now what can I do to prevent from restenosis of my coronary arteries?
Taghi, Tehran, Iran, 05 Oct 2003

• I am pretty concerned by your response Prince Tofu, angioplasy and stenting is not "palliative" , it actually can have more benefits than surgery. Your inaccurate remark is of concern, especially when you are posting it on a website that may be viewed by non medical people. I suggest that you check your facts before you post any other responses Andrina Hargreaves
Andrina, PSCC, Riyadh, 08 Dec 2002

• Angio/stent is only palliative at best. In other words, it just delays occluded arteries and subsequent heart attack. The best way to treat heart disease, in combination with surgery or drugs, is a low fat, cholesterol free regimen. Dr. Dean Ornish has proven that heart disease can be reversible if you eat his diet. Check out www.pmri.org
"Prince Tofu", 1 Aug 2002

• It will be two weeks Tuesday, 9th of July 2002 since I had my stent surgery. I have followed instructions carefully was told to take it easy for a week no driving or lifting etc.I felt so great I returned to my regular activity, all except the lifting. Then yesterday, I started to have mild chest pain, & severe soreness, & feeling sick. Here it is a holiday weekend & it is impossible to get hold of my cardiologist. I was too weak yesterday to even fix myself a meal. I have stuck to my low fat diet 1800 calorie I feel some better today, but still very sore on my breast bone. I also have diverticulosis, am in pain from that too. I am also diabetic, I dont have fever but have chills sometimes, am taking my blood pressure med as I should, I had stopped smoking, but I started back, smoked a few, and stopped again. When i have the chest discomfort, my heart does not "jump around" or skip a beat like it did before the surgery, does not occur when I walk, it is mostly soreness how long will I be sore should I be worried? It kinda feels like I have a chest cold.
Georgia Wenk, Greenville Texas, USA, 7 Jul 2002

• I had the angio in 1997, and so far so good there has been no occlusion. I exercise regularly, take my medications religiously and watch my diet (mainly vegetarian).
Roger Poh, 1 Jul 2002

• Brian There is a small chance of occlusion after angioplasty, and stenting reduces that risk. However, there is still a small chance that the inside of the stent will "furr up". The common time for this to happen is either around 24 hours after the procedure and then within 3 months of the procedure. After this period you have a pretty good chance of a nice open artery. There is no real way of knowing of this will happen to you but the tablets (Plavix or maybe Ticlopidine) will help reduce this risk so make sure you take them for the specified time. Look after your diet and your blood pressure and this will also help. If you experience any symptoms of chest discomfort you should see your cardiologist immediately. I hope this helps
Andrina Hargreaves, Prince Sultan Cardiac Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 11 Mar 2002

• What are the chances of occlusion reoccurring after angioplasty with stent?
Brian, 4 Mar 2002

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