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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Angioplasty Longevity vs Bypass Longevity
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Angioplasty Longevity vs Bypass Longevity
by Cody, Dec 10, 2000 12:00AM
Dear CCHC Physicians,
Approximately three years ago(Winter 1997) I had an angioplasty performed on my LAD due to a 95% blockage. Since then I exercise everyday(a mild 30 minute jog). My daily medications consist of atenolol, aspirin, imdur, vasotec, hydrodiuril and pravachol. Total choloesterol is 160 with a LDL of 90 and a HDL of 50. Homocysteine is aprroxinately 8 and blood pressure is approximatley 115/65 with a resting heart rate of 50. Each year since the angioplasty I have had a thallium stress test which all indicate normal and similar results. How long after an angioplasty procedure without any restonis is the procedure considered as reliable as bypass? Also, I assume I will be on the above regimented lifestyle forever with maybe the exception of the imdur. Are there any new non-invasive developments that examine blockages other than thallium stress tests or are thallium stress tests as reliable as any other non-invasive test?
Thanks - Jason
Approximately three years ago(Winter 1997) I had an angioplasty performed on my LAD due to a 95% blockage. Since then I exercise everyday(a mild 30 minute jog). My daily medications consist of atenolol, aspirin, imdur, vasotec, hydrodiuril and pravachol. Total choloesterol is 160 with a LDL of 90 and a HDL of 50. Homocysteine is aprroxinately 8 and blood pressure is approximatley 115/65 with a resting heart rate of 50. Each year since the angioplasty I have had a thallium stress test which all indicate normal and similar results. How long after an angioplasty procedure without any restonis is the procedure considered as reliable as bypass? Also, I assume I will be on the above regimented lifestyle forever with maybe the exception of the imdur. Are there any new non-invasive developments that examine blockages other than thallium stress tests or are thallium stress tests as reliable as any other non-invasive test?
Thanks - Jason
Doctor's Answer
by Cleveland Clinic, MD, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
, Dec 11, 2000 12:00AM
Dear Jason,
There are two type of blockages that can occur following a stent placement: The first is called restenosis and is due to a rapid proliferation of scar tissue within the stent and occurs in the first 3-8 months. The second type is build-up of blockage similar to build-up in other parts of the artery and this takes years. It's hard to answer your question as to when as stent is considered as reliable as a bypass graft. There are many factors involved and there is some apple-orange comparisons. The current feeling is that stenting for single vessel disease is the best treatment although there many be more repeat procedures. Thallium is a very good non-invasive test for your situation.
There are two type of blockages that can occur following a stent placement: The first is called restenosis and is due to a rapid proliferation of scar tissue within the stent and occurs in the first 3-8 months. The second type is build-up of blockage similar to build-up in other parts of the artery and this takes years. It's hard to answer your question as to when as stent is considered as reliable as a bypass graft. There are many factors involved and there is some apple-orange comparisons. The current feeling is that stenting for single vessel disease is the best treatment although there many be more repeat procedures. Thallium is a very good non-invasive test for your situation.
