Current Postings on This Page (9):
Last year I had an angiogram and it showed that
all my bypass grafts were "wide open". This year --same cardiologist- did
another angiogram (in preparation for atherectomy in my upper thigh)and
found two blockages in a 16 year old vein graft --95% and 70%. Is that
possible within a year --with drugs my cholesterol and blood pressure have
been very good including "bad" cholesterol---or did perhaps my cardiologist
miss something last year? If the vein graft can block up that fast does
that mean it is likely to do so again in other places? Yikes!!
MJV, Hawaii, USA, May 5, 2007
Karen, the reblocking of a coronary artery is
called restenosis and
it's sort of like scar tissue, but it's really a different process. Before
stents, when only balloons were used, about 25-35% of angioplasties blocked
up again within 6 months. Stents reduced that to around 20%. Drug-eluting
(medicated) stents have taken the number down to single digits. Nevertheless,
the disease process (and other factors) still can cause reblockage, even
if the numbers are now less than 1 in 10. But these new devices very definitely
help control the formation of reblockage, or "scar tissue", if
you will. In addition, there are medications like aspirin and Plavix that
can keep platelets from getting sticky and adhering to the stent. It's
a complex process, and stents aren't a "cure" for coronary artery
disease, just a mechanical solution. On the other hand, the very first
angioplasty patient done in 1978 has still not had a repeat procedure.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 5, 2006
My mother had an angioplasty (with medicated
stent) in May of 2004. Apparently scar tissue has formed and she needs
another stent just 1-1/2 years later. Is this common? And can she expect
this to continually happen in the future. Dr. says there is no way to
control scar tissue. Help! I'd like more info. about this.
Karen, Hinsdale/Illinois, December 15, 2005
I had 3 stents inserted in 1 year, one blocked
with 2 months with scar tissue and was treated with brachytherpy (radiation).
Unfortunately, all three blocked by the next year, apparently my body
doesn't like stents, or so the surgeon said. Now six months after triple
bypass surgery I am again having chest pains. I wonder what will be next.
The doctor said a medicated stent might do the trick. My bad cholesterol
is only 75 so it isn't a cholesterol problem. Any suggestions? Barb
Barbara Medart, Klamath Falls, Oregon, USA, February 08, 2005
I have 5 stents put in and I thought that was
alot, WoW until I read about you. I still have to go for another (75% blockage)
and am still quite confused about "when will this end". Everytime I go
to get a stent in, they find another blockage-I also have lesions throughout
my arteries my age is 41, female,diabetes and smoke. I am still trying
to understand all of this, and I still have no DX. I want to know more
about all/any stent, heart, mi's involved, meaning risk's and in general
what is going on with all of this cardio stuff and what does it mean! Any
suggestions? P.s. I am desperately trying to stop smoking (to no avail)
so please do not tell me to stop, I know!
Kathy Hernandez, Yonkers, NY, February 01, 2005
Dear Gary, Your positive thinking is scary. Why
didn't you do for a bypass? I am 53 and would like to outlive my father
who is now 88...what are the chances?
Dax Tan, gec, Malaysia, 5 May 2002
I have had 10 angioplasties. 7 coronary, 3 on
my legs, with a total of 4 stents. They have not had to cut me open yet.
At age 48, I will go with angioplasty all the time if possible. Restenosis
is my middle name.
Gary, USA, 13 Jul 2000
Well your friend's father is a lucky man compared
to my father. He had three operations in one year (February, July, September
1999) and he's now "wearing" 5 stents.
Andrea Fare, Milano, ITALY, February 29, 2000
My friend's father is about to undergo
his third angioplasty in four years. I am interested in information regarding
the seriousness of this third operation and whether or not it is routine
to undergo three of these types of operations.
Sean Davis, US Army, Bloomington, Indiana, USA, September 19,
1999
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