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Treatment for Myocardial Bridging (2008 and earlier)
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Archived Postings from 2008 and Earlier (49): • I am a 44 year old woman with mb in
my lad...med's were tried first after someone finally took me seriously..so
much meds
couldn't get out of bed w/o wanting a nap and eventually meds weren't
enough...doc who found bridge placed three piggyback stents and continued
w/meds...did
beautifully for almost 2 years and then last august had a heart attack...bridge
clogged up 100%...fortunately was taken to cath lab immediately and had
fourth stent put in...have had irregular heartbeats and told not to worry
also w/ bridge....had few episodes and had another cath this past may
showed nothing....now other day severe pain chest radiating in between
shoulder
blades couldn't stand it went to emergency room they found normal ekg,
normal 1st enzyme and kept me 24 hours...2nd and third and fourth enzyme
were elevated slightly but still considered negative for mi...released
send home...now home and pain is there upon exertion and goes away with
rest...called cardiologist and said if not cardiac what do i do? he asked
and told me that i should have a thallium stress test asap and if couldn't
wait three days meet him in heart tower and he would cath me. now sitting
on couch trying to decide if i'm nuts ...if pain is something else...dont
know....first doc that was great is Dr. Samin Sharma w/ Mt. Sinai Hospital
in NYC...Mary ann McLaughlin was my cardiologist there and believed me
before dr. sharma did cath and found....my doc now is from si and i love
him too he takes me seriously...hope this isn't my bridge and something
else..... • My husband is 43 years old
and was diagnosed with myocardial bridging last week after having a heart
cath. Doctors say this
is good news because it
was not blockages! Go figure. He has been sick since his mid twenties with
DVT, pulmonary embolisms, TIA's, rare blood clotting disorder, unknown
autoimmune
dif., upper and lower gastro problems, COPD, high cholesterol and triglycerides,
severe joint pain, several UTIs, high blood pressure, elevated liver enzymes,
and too many more to name. He has been hospitalized several times a year for
these conditions with no explanations. He currently sees a hematologist, cardiologist,
autoimmune specialist, a gastro doctor, and his regular PCP. My question is
does anyone else who has had myocardial bridging have any of these other
symptoms?
His cardiologist says that none of this is connected but I am not sure if I
buy that. We are currently trying to see about admitting him into a research
hospital
where someone may be able to diagnose the what is causing all of this. I do
not believe that his Doctors have time to research him as a whole. They
only fix
the problem at the moment and then we move to the next problem. I am convinced
that one person can not have this many different problems. I believe the problems
are feeding off of one another. Anyone else out there have any of the same
complications? • Found out Monday I have systolic bridge of 40%
in LAD. Also distal to that bridge is 75% blockage. Cardiologists were
unable to stent or perform angioplasty due to the vessel being so small
in diameter. They said it wouldn't hold. So, my question is, do I just
wait until I have an MI & hope I survive it? Is this significant? Current
treatment is Toprol 50 mg daily, Norvasc 2.5 mg daily, Aspirin 81 mg daily & Crestor
daily. Please tell me how bad this is so I can relax!! I'm 38 years old. • I am 35 year old male recently
diagnosed with myocardial bridging. I was recently put in the hospital
for 5 days where
they did a cath that verified it.
The cardiologist offered me surgery but in the end told my bridging was very
small and wouldn't even talk to me about the surgery and then just put me on
more medications. I'm still having chest pains. I've been waiting for an appt
to
see
the cardiologist at the va here in detroit since april. • I am a cardiologist from the
Philippines, recently was admitted for shortness of breath, severe chest
heaviness which radiated
to my epigarstric area (stomach). Thought that was the end, but got relief
after 7 hours when I asked for Nitroglycerine sublingual. I had my Angiogram
recently and it showed myocardial bridging at LAD. I hope not to go through
the same symptoms that I had recently. I am scheduled for Nuclear Imaging
to check for myocardial ischemia and hopefully results will be normal,
but most importantly I want to be chest pain free and not to get short
of breath which I still have even on ordinary activities. • Hello everyone, I am 55 and
was just diagnosed with myocardial bridge. My Dr. said that I have had
it since birth, then
why it is condition causing
me so much problem now? Does this condition get worse with age? How is the
degree of the myocardial bridge classified. Is there a web site that provides
information
about myocardial bridge? How do you find a Dr. that specializes in this condition?
Do you locate a regular cardiologist or a surgeon? I live near Chicago. Thank
you for any assistance. • This is Denise again. This week I have seen 7 doctors: 3 kidney, 3 cardiologists and 1 cardiac surgeon. I truly believe what they have to say to me. #1 I should be dead after my first child was born. Apparently that is the main cause of death in young women 95%. I was 19, and survived. 7 miscarriages and 2 more live births{over 11 years]. I was diagnosed with this in 03/02 the bridge covers 45% of the LAD. I have not and will not ever make collateral veins that help to keep the left ventricle pumping. The back of the left ventricle is dying a little more every day. Now that I have started in SVT rate over 140-170 and drop in blood pressure to 40/0. Syncope [fainting spells] has started and I wrecked our vehicle. Thank god no one was hurt. I am headed to Houston
on Monday to start the guinea pig tests. 20 doctors including the ones
that I have at home are all in on this. I am going to be given all the
tests that need to be done and right beside the test will be my % [the
chance that I will live or come off the table] I am apparently a rare occurrence.
Please keep me in your prayers because the invasive test only give me
1
percent - 30 percent. Thank you for this forum. I would be glad to help
anyone that is having a hard time coping. All the tests results I will
post, but when the % rate goes down I will probably head home with medication
be with my family and do the things that mean the most important to me.
Consider this
a
[denise shotz] with more to follow -- icudskid@sbcglobal.net • Denise -- if you haven't already,
read through the other posts here. A few patients report having had positive
results
from surgery, and they name the surgeons. Perhaps you could contact these
physicians to see if they would give you a second opinion after viewing
your medical records and angiograms. • I am a 49 year old female.
6 years ago was diagnosed with myocardial bridging over the LAD. The
LAD is the size of 6 year
old child's. The bridge covers 40%
of LAD. I went to Dr. Jimmy Howell (famous surgeon pioneered heart surgery).
After looking at the arteriogram, there was nothing that could be done. Now,
I am having sustained SVT rate 140 - 160. Severe chest pain, shortness of breath,
fatigue, radiating pain to neck and left arm. Since there is very little known,
I want to know if this the end stage of the disease. Propranolol is useful to
decrease the SVT, but it doesn't last very long. Please let me know if there
is something else that can be done. If not then be honest with me because I need
to get my
family ready Thank You. • to 28 year old patient
in Kentucky, I live in
Louisville, I am 42 and was just diagnosed with Myocardial bridging. I
also have lived with PSVT's for 10 years. My pain has gradually worsened
over the last 6 months and the meds they put me on don't seem to be making
a difference. I am trying to find a good
specialist. How about you? • Jeroen -- treatment for myocardial
bridging will depend greatly on your heart's anatomy and progression
of symptoms. Besides
medical therapy, which you are on, other options are catheter-based angioplasty
and stenting or open heart surgery where a resectioning may fix
the bridging. • hello my name is Jeroen (36)
and I am from holland. I am also diagnosed with Myocardial bridging.
I had high frequency rhythm
of the heart, and i was
worried. I went to hospital and i got a cath. and there they saw the long bridging
of the LAD. My condition is very well and i have no chest pains. My doctor put
me on high medication (200 mg metropolol) and i doing well, but i am little
bit worried. My doctor says when it's necessary they will operate on me. I
want to know how do they operate on this? they don't cut in muscle i think?
Does anyone
have
some answers? • I
am a 28 year old female. in otherwise good health and body weight. I
was diagnosed with myocardial bridging 2 years
ago. I have been having chest pain since Jan 2006 bad and they are getting
worse. I can not lead a normal active life and I admit seeing other people
my age go about daily tasks makes me sad because I cannot do what they
do. I experience chest pain, pain in my left arm that radiates into my
neck and face and left side. I get winded at mild tasks and my heart
rate goes extremely high upon walking around. I have also been diagnosed
with
SVT but believe now it is the myocardial bridge causing the problems.
I have been told recently of bypass surgery which my insurance will not
cover
easily might help. If not stents are recommended. PLEASE IF ANYONE KNOWS
SOMETHING TO HELP TELL ME.......I LIVE IN CONSTANT PAIN:( 28 YRS OLD
and feels 82. • I am a 39 year old with stable
and unstable angina for the last 15 months. I had a stent placed in the
junction of the LAD
in August 2007. I still experience
pain intermittently and quality of life has been compromised. Prior to the
angina, I was in great physical condition thru running and weightlifting.
Last month
I sought a second medical opinion and cardiologist informed me of a muscle
bridge. I am very frustrated and needing answers. Can anyone please advise? • Janet -- EECP has been around
a while. In fact we have a Forum Topic on it here.
The idea is that it "trains" the circulation and heart to pump
more efficiently by using inflatable cuffs on legs, etc. that are timed
with your heart
beat. It's been proven to help some patients, but not all -- however, there
are some very well-regarded heart clinics that use EECP for relief of angina
when other therapies haven't work. Read the Forum Topic for more specifics.
One of the companies that makes the equipment also has more info on their
wbe site. It's at vasomedical.com. • my cardiologist has suggested
EECP therapy for treatment of a rather large LAD myocardial bridge that
was just diagnosed
in me in 08/07. Have you ever heard of this and do you think it a valid
treatment. • Is the right lower lung pain
after lifting or pushing heavy objects normal? Status post CABG 11-12-07.
The pain feels
like the pain I had with deep inspiration, coughing, etc. When the
chest tubes were still in. Sometimes it is so bad that it hurts when i
turn
over in bed - like it hurt in the first few weeks immediately following
my surgery.
It is the right lower lung pain that is preventing me from going back
to work. The right and left chest wall pain after lifting, pushing, or
driving
is tolerable for me. I presently don't have a cardiologist and have
been released from the care of my cardiac surgeon. I would greatly appreciate
some feedback on this soon because I see my PCP later this week and
can
request
the appropriate referrals. • Diane,
I am the 50 year old female that sent the posting
to cardiology
forum on November 5th. I ended up having a CABG of the lad on Nov. 12th.
I was unable to have the less invasive surgery. I am not quite ready to return
to my
job, which requires lifting, but hope to return within the next two weeks. (14
weeks total) My cardiac surgeon was Ralph James Damiano of Barnes Jewish Hospital
in St. Louis, Missouri. Google him. You will be very impressed with his credentials.
You can e-mail him. He may be able to recommend a cardiac surgeon closer to you.
I honestly believe that Dr. Damiano saved my life. My symptoms were so severe
and the bridging so long, that I was one of those patients definitely at high
risk for an MI. Dr. Damiano told me he didn't think I would have survived much
longer without surgery. I was up walking around two days after the surgery and
released from the hospital four days after the surgery. I live alone, but had
home health care from Barnes
and my oldest and best friend flew out from California for two weeks to take
care of me. I'm told that my recovery has been phenomenally fast, but it seems
slow for me! At first, it was even difficult to open and close doors. Driving
still bothers me somewhat, lifting or pushing a shopping cart can cause me pain
for days, especially with deep breathing or coughing. The chest pain is chest
muscle pain and is gradually going away. The most difficult thing for me is pacing
my activities and alternating it with adequate rest. I have no regrets. If you
have any questions, feel free to e-mail
me. • I had an extensive anterior
MI on Dec 17.2007. I was told that I had a bend (myocardial bridge) and
had a dissection
of the artery somewhere in that area with caused bleeding which blocked
the
distal LAD. The angioplasty was only partially able to clear that blockage,
thus the MI. All of my other coronaries were clear of arteriosclerosis
and my cholesterol has been low for years. My ejection fraction a day
after the MI was 30-35% and I was told by the cardiologist who did the
angioplasty
that if after cardiac rehab the repeat echo does not show improvement
of the EF I would probably need an implanted defibrillator. I am finding
all
of the above comments interesting because today for the second time I've
been experiencing chest tightness and pressure which started while shopping
and lifting and pushing a grocery cart. Just before this I had a session
of cardiac rehab and felt fine throughout and right afterwards. I am
on Lisinopril 10mg, lopressor 12.5mg plavix, and Zocor. I'm definitely
calling
my cardiologist tomorrow. In reading all of your comments I concur with
all of you about the seriousness of a myocardial bridge as you can see
from what happened to me and I hope the medical professionals can look
into addressing this condition more
effectively. • I COULD BE A SUCCESS STORY-time will tell. I am 47 years old and I was
diagnosed with myocardial bridge last August '07 at North Shore University Hospital
in Manhasset, NY. I had all the symptoms with increasing intensity culminating
in a 7-hour heart attack at the hospital. The pain would not quit- even with
morphine. A few days later, I had open heart surgery performed by Dr. Adam Arnofsky.
aarnofsk@nshs.edu 516-562-4970. Before Dr. Arnofsky came into the scene, Dr.
William Berger, 516- 488-4428 appeared to be the only one who figured out what
he was looking at regarding my angiogram and tossed the previous "spasm" theory
out the window where it belonged. The surgeon removed the part of the heart that
was choking my artery and all of the extreme symptoms are gone. However, I still
have some symptoms with minimal activity. As my symptoms persist, I may seek
another opinion at Saint Francis in Port Washington, NY, which is supposed to
be a leading Cardiac Hospital. • I am a 30 year old female. Two years ago I had
my first attack of pain that went through my chest, arm, neck, back, stomach
and face. Since then it has happened in my leg area also. My arm and leg
goes weak after also. I went to my local hospital and the EKG they did
was normal. What happened to me really freaked me out. Well I left the
hospital and it happened again and the pain was worse and lasted longer.
So I decided to have someone take me to the hospital again. I went to a
better hospital the next time. Everything came back alright. Well on the
way home it happened again. Well I went to 2 doctors even was having severe
chest pains in one of the doctor's office, and they did nothing. I waited
in the first one's office with the chest pain for over 2 hours. I was treated
so terribly I lost all faith with doctors. But I knew I could not go on
like this. It felt like I was dying the pain was so horrible and so constant.
Finally I had enough and I decided to take things into my own hands. I
made a cardiologist appointment myself. I had all the normal test done
and it showed I had irregular heartbeat and pvc's. He put me on a beta
blocker, along with my cholesterol pills, well the beta blockers helped
a little but not enough. I was still having horrible pains so he gave me
the nitro spray. Well that helped sometimes, but the pain would come back
later on in the day . Finally he decided to do a cardiac cath, and they
found a myocardial bridging in the LAD. I was switched previously from
the beta blockers to calcium channel blockers which after the cardiac cath
they left me on. They told me to take my same meds and there was nothing
they could do for me . The doctor after he did the cardiac cath wouldn't
even talk to m . During the cath he talked about other doctors' homes with
one of the nurses, and when I went for the follow up they sent an RN to
tell me what I had and acted as though it was nothing. Then proceeded to
tell me to get my stomach checked which I had already had done. They always
want to pass you off on another doctor, they don't want to deal with what
you have because they just can't admit that they don't know how to deal
with it. The doctor told the nurse during the surgery
, " oh she doesn't have no blockage , she is fine" Well I am sorry myocardial
bridging is a form of blockage , and no one is doing a damn thing about it from
what I have seen and read about it". People and there lives are suffering unnecessarily
from this condition. Why won't anyone address this problem?? Rachel, 32, female,
Louisiana • I'm a 40yr.and had a Cardiac Catheterization done
4 yrs ago. which i was
told i had "Double Vessel Disease. Long Myocardial Bridge in LAD With Moderate
Stenosis(LAD-PROXIMAL,TUBULAR 50% LESION, MYOCARDIAL BRIDGE DIAG1(PROXIMAL)TUBULAR
40%LESION. The pain gets worse everyday.My job requires me to lift 80lbs box,
which i just started 3weeks ago before i was sent back to hospital for chest
pain and
pain in left arm and neck.They will not let me go back to work yet but nothing
has been done about it. I have high Cholesterol which they have me on 3meds for
this but can't get it down. My EKGs are abnormal. But they won't do surgery why?They
just keep feeding me Meds.that is not working. I do take Nitro, which helps the
pain but its there. Can someone tell me a good Heart Doctor to get this fixed.
I
have no life because of the pain. • I just turned 47 and was diagnosed
with myocardial bridging two months after my mother passed away from
heart disease. Since
then I have been told it is unrepairable. I have chest pains and tightness
of the chest and when this occurs I get very sick to my stomach. Because
of no insurance I cant even get my Rx's. But just for everyone else's
info check into Larry King Cardiac Foundation.
Thanks for all the great info. • I
am a 32 year old wife and mother of an active 4 year old. I was diagnosed
with Mitral Valve Prolapse and an arrhythmia
during my pregnancy. I was told
not to eat or drink caffeine. Since then I have fought with my cardiologist and
got a second opinion and nothing changed. Finally I went to my PCP and cried
uncontrollably in his office until he called my cardiologist and requested other
tests to be done. My cardiologist requested a Coronary ct scan but my insurance
would not cover the test so the did a chest ct scan which showed a third heart
condition. Myocardial Bridging of my LAD. They have me taking a B Blocker but
all that does is make me not want to get out of bed in the morning. I still have
pain everyday all day long and I don't know what to do. I am seeking a third
opinion but I don't feel confident after reading other testimonies concerning
MB of the LAD. I'm looking for a specialist willing to take action. If anyone
can help please e-mail
me. • I am a 47 yo woman who was
just diagnosed with myocardial bridging of the LAD yesterday. Three years
ago I was stented
after a 95% blockage of the LAD in the same place as the bridging was
discovered yesterday. After reading these postings, I am really afraid...am
I looking
at surgery? Where do I find a cardiologist who is well versed in this
diagnosis? I am told that I have had this since birth. I can remember several
instances
where I suffered from chest pain and it was written off as indigestion...my
cardiologist even wrote it off as indigestion immediately following my
stent three years ago, because all of my cardiac testing was normal.
Anyone who can help, please let me know--I got married a year and a half
ago,
and now more than ever would like to live a normal
life... • I am a fifty year old female who is also an ER
RN. One night while I was working, I experienced chest pain with shortness
of breath. I had a tech do a 12 lead EKG which showed abnormal, but I was
not having a heart attack. I was hospitalized for two days. My stress test
was negative, but because of high blood pressure, shortness of breath,
family history of MIs and continued intermittent chest pain, I requested
a cardiac cath on the advice of physician friends. It showed no blockages,
but a myocardial bridge midway on the LAD. I was told by the cardiologist
that the only way to "fix" the bridge was a CABG, but the benefits weren't
worth the risks. On the advice of the same physician friends, I have found
a cardiologist that does minimally invasive cardiac surgery and am going
to attempt to have the bridge removed as opposed to having a by-pass graft.
I get short of breath with minimal exertion, am having trouble controlling
my blood pressure, experience constant fatigue, and continue to have intermittent
chest pain. I have an appointment with another cardiologist tomorrow that
does minimally invasive surgery and I will let you all know how it goes.
This is affecting my quality of life. I need to rest after taking a shower.
I have been prescribed Xanax and told to get a less stressful job. I love
my job an am my sole support. I feel that if this type of surgery can be
done, the benefits will outweigh the risks. Pray for me. Cindy • 59 year old man, had angio,
ct, and stress test. The angio test showed that one of my artery is 50%
blocked and no need
for statin. I am diabetic patient for last 18 years, my LDL is 80 and
HDL is 51, and my blood pressure is normal. I am start taking statin, beside
numerous diabetic pills. My heart doctor told me to come back after one
year. My son read my CT and he says I have myocardial bridge. I have
some
time little chest pain. I walked at least 3 to 4 miles a day and start
jogging for ten minutes, and no breathing problem. Need some
advice. • I'm 52 yrs. young and was diagnosed
with myocardial bridge in Aug. after being rushed to CCU with symptoms
of a heart attack.
I had an echo-cardiogram,
ultrasound and heart cath. Blood work ruled out the heart attack (thank God);
the other tests showed that I have no blockages and a very strong, healthy
heart. I do have mild to moderate leakage in my mitral valve. I then had
an exercising
stress test to see if the BP medication would control problems and I passed.
My cardiologist doesn't think the bridge caused the symptoms (there was no
significant stress; no indications, etc.). They now they think it's related
to stomach problems.
I honestly think the attack was brought on by interactions with herbal supplements
that I had just started taking. I quit taking them and am having no problems.
But, it's always in the back of my mind...no real solutions if it starts causing
problems. The stent sounds troublesome and open heart surgery to move the artery
is risky at best! I also tire a lot more since the medication is designed to
keep my BP lower and allow my heart to rest more in between beats. • I am 43. On August 27th, 2007 I went in for a
cardiac catheterization following a abnormal Stress test.(And new cardiologist
said 2 previous normal
EKG's were
actually abnormal) I was told I had "Moderate Myocardial bridging of the proximal
and mid left anterior descending". I was started on a low dose of Toprol XL.
My other doctors keep referring to my heart test as normal, it must not be to
normal if I have to keep seeing a cardiologist and be put on medication. I annoys
me because I have mild chest pain pretty much on a daily basis and it always
feels like someone is sitting on my chest or like the air is old and stale with
no real oxygen in it. No one
I have seen takes this seriously. • It is nice to see that people
are willing to help others by sharing their health issues. I was diagnosed
with myocardial
bridging after a failed stress test and heart cath. I was put on beta
blockers, calcium blockers and nitro. I had very little relief and went
off the medications
due to the side effects. I am told by my doctors that many people are
diagnosed with this and live normal lives. My frustration is what about
the people
who are not. I am forty one and feel and living like I am much older.
It greatly affects me emotionally since I have three kids and can't do
the
things a normal healthy father can do. I also have trouble with the fact
that no one understands why you feel the way you do and then makes you
to feel it is all in your head. so I thank you all for helping me to
validate my condition and realize it is not just in my head. • I am a 48 year old female who
was diagnosed with a 3cm myocardial bridge over the LAD. My stress test
was so severe, my
family doctor had my husband drive me to the hospital the day he got the
results. The cardiologist did an CT of my coronary arteries which is a
3-D image of the arteries which is supposed to detail what is going on
in there to avoid unnecessary cardiac caths. It showed a MAJOR blockage
in that artery. The cath was performed and revealed the bridge. My cardiologist
also said that it was nothing to worry about,that I do not have coronary
artery disease and that it is an alternative anatomy of the coronary arteries
and very common. He has me on 480mg of Cardizem, 40mg Lipitor, 30mg Imdur,
20mg Lisinopril. A lot of drugs for something so insignificant I think.
I seldom have chest tightness any more, only when I am extremely stressed
so the drugs work, so far. Why do doctors act like they will lose the respect
of the medical community to admit that this condition is real and IS significant?
From all that I have read, the Japanese cardiologists are the only ones
who take this seriously and are willing to research treatment for us. My
doctor won't admit to my having anything wrong with me, he won't even document
the bridge in my progress notes (I'm a medical case auditor and have access
to my record)he only calls it 'coronary spasms', but he is giving me mega
doses of drugs for it and I'm doing better. When other doctors see my drug
list and ask me why I'm taking all that stuff, I tell them it is for spasms
and they say that I do not need that much medication. This is VERY frustrating.
I have hypertension, diabetes, high cholesterol, and mild to moderate pulmonary
hypertension. My cardiologist sees me every 6 months. I do not complain
about my symptoms to my other doctors because they act like I am imagining
them. I am not. • My husband is 54 and recently
diagnosed with myocardial bridging. He experiences severe chest pain
but all tests are negative for
heart attack. He was recently placed on a nitro patch and nitro pills.
(He has other risk factors for heart attack, including diabetes, high cholesterol,
high blood pressure controlled with meds, and family history.) His cardiologist
has also diagnosed him with coronary vasospasm. I am looking for a cardiologist
who specializes in myocardial bridging in the Massachusetts area. • Hello all ok here's my story
never a pain but my health was going down hill just not feeling good
no one understanding
why i had this chest pain or pressure etc had a test done showed a blockage
in an artery in neck my doctor that day sent me to a cardio doc who ordered
a stress test and i failed the next am in for a cath, there is it myocardial
bridging since then i have been on all kinds of beta blockers etc I'm getting
worse i cant do nothing much without the pressure or tightness. found the
cleveland clinic on my way thurs this week the 8th they have a section
on there own website on it www.clevelandclinic.org and they have one in
fla too wishing you all the best i am tired of going thru this i am 49
if you wish to email i will answer just after i get back that will be on
monday the 12th cross them fingers for me god bless all hang in there • My husband has been diagnosed
with Myocardial bridging he has frequent chest pain and weakness. He
is 60 Years old and
this gets worse the older he gets. The cardiologist says that the bridging
is not a problem and is going to do nothing. Can we get some help? Please
post my e-mail address so I can get help with this problem. Thank you • Reply to To Tony
Clark--I have been going throught the same thing you have--I am 52 & have
been diagnosed for over 6 years with the myocardial bridge--no one seeems
to wnat to help me get this fixed!can someone please direct me to a surgeon
in Florida or somewhere that can help me! • IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT MYOCARDIAL
BRIDGINGS CAN CAUSE SYSTOLIC COMPRESSION OF CORONARY ARTERIES, HOWEVER,
IT IS LESS CLEARLY
UNDERSTOOD THAT THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE IT CARRIES. IN CASE OF STENTING
TO AVERT THE SUPPOSEDLY ISCHEMIC EVENT, I URGE CAUTION. I AM A CARDIAC
SURGEON. I HAVE SEEN 2 CASES OF FRACTURE WITH RESULTING THROMBOSIS FOR
SUPPOSEDLY BRIDGING INDUCED MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA. SURGERY COULD BE AN OPTION
FOR TREATMENT OF REFRACTORY ISCHEMIA BY INCISING THE CONTRICTING MUSCLE.
I HAVE NO SUCH EXPERINCE DUE TO THE CONSERVATISM OF CARDIOLOGISTS HERE
THOUGH. WE JUST HAVE NOT ENOUGH DATA TO TELL SUCH PATIENTS WHAT IS THE
BEST THING TO DO. • I'm
sorry C. from Arizona but I'm afraid your response is a load of bunk
! A myocardial bridge DOES inhibit blood flow
to the heart. It's not as apparent when you are young but as you age the
natural progression of all arterial lumens begin. Some more than others,
and that's where the pain can start. The heart needs its arteries open
all the time, not just on diastole. Please do not give out info that can
be false without doing homework first. • I am a 56 year old patient
just diagnosed with myocardial bridging 2 days ago. I am being treated
with Laxapro 50 mg per
day-unable to give results yet. I am trying to find out if this can be
inherited or pasted onto my children? • We've seen numerous patients
with myocardial bridging at our Cardiac Cath Lab. Seldom are they treated
with stenting or medication.
One reason is that on contraction of the heart (systole) the bridged artery
is at its narrowest; fortunately blood flows into the coronary arteries
upon relaxation (diastole) of the heart. Blood flow is not inhibited to
the heart muscle. • I was diagnosed with a myocardial
bridge last June, with chest pains, difficulty in breathing. I am 42,
diagnosed with
anxiety induced chest pains. Ironically I used to be a heart nurse , I
had never had chest pain. I had to literally order a cath. done. They said
I had 20 to 30% stenosis and it wasn't serious. I have had ongoing problems
with it since then. I think stress plays a role and how you handle it,
I do take klonopin which helped great at first but it is losing its effectiveness
and then started using dilitiazem a Ca channel blocker with fair results
but I do not like the side effects. Some days I feel like I cannot breath
well, dull chest pain. And it is very aggravating. I go to UAB, one of
the top cardiac centers in the u.s. and what I have found that stents on
work for a short period and surgery outweighs the benefits. I may try the
nitric oxide enhancing amino acids that were discovered by the nobel prize
winner, who subsequently wrote a book, using arginine, citrulline, alpha
lipoic acid, and a few other supplements. I am not sure if it will help
dilate the vessel more or if it is a good idea? Any ideas? • I've been having intermittent
chest pain for the past three months. I had a stress test with thallium,
echocardiogram, and
several EKG's. The stress test showed some blockage in the lower left corner
of the heart. I had a cardiac cath. and was diagnosed with a mild systolic
bridging of the mid segment of the left anterior descending. I still don't
know what all these words mean. What concerns me is the the doctor put
me on Toprol 1/2 of the pill in the morning, half in the evening. I should
avoid stress and strenuous work. The cardiologist said that the only way
to fix this problem is open heart surgery, however, he doesn't recommend
it unless it gets severe. I'm not the same person and the pain some days
is severe to mild most of the time. I'm willing to have surgery to have
it fixed, even if it's risky. I just want to have a normal life again.
I'm having a second opinion with a specialist in three weeks but I feel
this is too long of a wait. There are several cases of heart attacks in
my father's side of the family. I'm very scared. • I am a heart patient and two
years ago I received a stent for one of my myocardial bridges. It has
helped some in the pain
but I still get spasms but they aren't as severe as before. Will there
be a point in that my stent won't be effective and I will have to undergo
bypass surgery? • I am a 55 year old female who was recently diagnosed
with a Myocardial Bridge. I have experienced a squeezing pain off & on
in my chest since about the age of 10. In my younger years I was told it
was growing pains as well as I was imagining things. As I got older the
pain continued and it occurred more often. I was told it could be stress,
heart burn or again I was imagining things. My Ekgs were always normal.
I had normal echo's and various stress tests, all normal. My chest pain
continued, my Cardiologist suggested a heart cath.,which revealed the bridge.
He said I have most likely had this since birth. I am taking a beta blocker
and nitro. I continue to have the squeezing pain which the nitro often
does not give me relief. I was told my other option would be surgery. How
risky is the surgery?. Should I consider this as an option or is there
anything new as a treatment? • i have had the Dx of LAD bridging
for 2 years now. They found this during a heart cath. My cardiologist
said that it
was nothing to worry about and my chest pain was non-cardiac. I was even
told i had anxiety. For the last year, I have just lived with the chest
pain. I can not take a beta-blocker as I have hypotension. It is nice to
have found this site. I do have an abnormal ekg, and sinus tachycardia.
thanks for the information. I think I will be finding a different cardiologist. • I was just told Wednesday I either have an LAD
myocardial bridge, which is"no big deal" or an LAD blockage. I was given
the option of low risk treatment or a cath. I go in today for the cath.
Will I have a blockage, will it be stented, drug eluding or otherwise,
and will it help or will I need bypass? Barbara VG Rn near Tampa Florida,
USA, RN/PAtient • I
suffered with myocardial bridging. I was diagnosed in 2000, I experienced
severe chest pain daily
sometimes only for a few moments other times it lasted all day on and off.
It made it very difficult to be productive on a daily basis. My Cardiologist's
4 of them all tried treating me with medication, calcium blockers, beta
blockers, nitro (which usually offered some relief) but not always,and
numerous other meds. They also tested for gastro problems which all tests
came back normal. I thought I was going crazy, all the tests we ran: ekgs,
stress tests, blood work etc.. nothing was showing then I was rushed to
the ER again for chest pain, again everything normal. I was admitted and
scheduled for another stress test the following morning, the next morning
came and prior to the stress test they ran another EKG.. Bingo, something
didn't look right, Inverted T-waves, I was rushed in for cardiac cath..
it was then I was diagnosed with the Bridging of the LAD, which was severe.
After almost 3 horrible years of playing with medications which made me
feel worse and still experiencing symptoms I found another Cardiologist
who was actually familiar with Bridging, He reviewed my case and refered
me to a surgeon. 3 days after meeting with the surgeon I was admitted for
surgery. The surgical process they did on me included: Deroofing the artery
from the heart, upon doing this it was found that the section of the LAD
that was bridged was not the proper diameter which also contributed to
less blood flow, so they also performed by-pass using another artery from
my chest. It has been 6 months now, I feel much better and haven't had
any returning symptoms. I just wanted to post this for people who are trying
to find info on this, because I know I couldn't find much info. It seems
that not very many Doctors are real familiar with this either. In the hospitals
I was flooded with doctors asking me to familiarize them with myocardial
bridging. • Interestingly we at PSCC had
3 such patients the last 18 months .one underwent emergency stenting
and later emergency CABG
for subacute stent thrombosis. The other two , having learnt the lesson!
, were treated conservatively with spasmolytics and other antianginals
and did very well subsequently. • Difficult case. The data on stenting under a
myocardial bridge is limited. Assuming that the artery is otherwise normal
under the bridge, it seems rather excess to stent a "normal" vessel. On
the other hand, given the fact that the artery involved is the LAD and
it occludes I would, for right or wrong reasons, feel uncomfortable doing
nothing. My bias would, therefore, be to stent the segment and use calcium
channel blockers. In the event of restenosis, I'd send the patient for
surgery. • I wait for such a case in order
to offer him (not her?) a stent implant. I suppose to obtain good long
term result. How your
case proceeded? Georges Badaoui, Hotel Dieu de France Hospital, Beirut, LEBANON, November 21, 1999 |
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