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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure??
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Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure??
by Tania__0, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By Tania on June 24, 1999 at 09:47:55
My dad is 56 years old. In March, he suffered chest pains. He was diagnosed with pneumonia & sent home with antibiotics. In April, his chest pains returned. This time, it was discovered that he suffered a massive heart attack in March and was getting ready to suffer another one!
Two of his main arteries were over 95% blocked. Two small branches were also blocked. He underwent quadruple-bypass surgery using a leg vein and the mammary artery & was recovering very well. In fact, the doctors were astounded by his progress.
Then, last week, he had chest pains again! They did a cardiac cath & discovered that the two small branch (grafted) arteries clogged up with blood clots & were no longer functioning at all. The two main arteries were doing very well & he has 100% flow through these arteries.
At first, the doctors said he may suffer further angina pains if the area of the heart near the two small artery branches was not completely dead. Now, they determined that the area is dead, so he probably won't have angina.
However, the doctors said my dad suffered a "very small" heart attack when these grafts closed. They said he should take it easy for a few weeks & then resume normal activity. Also, the doctors seemed quite happy with his bypass. They said that this latest attack was just a small set-back for my dad. In fact, immediately after his bypass, the surgeon commented that the two smaller grafts may not hold. In other words, they were EXPECTING this attack to happen sooner or later. It has only been two months since his surgery.
Is this a common occurance? I mean, they didn't really think the smaller grafts would hold, but we are thankful that the doctors tried anyway.
They seem to be very pleased with my dad's recovery despite the recent attack. They are sending him home with a cholesterol reducer and an anti-clotting med. My dad's current cholesterol is 175, but they want it lower.
My dad suffered a brain aneurism which was repaired in 1986. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1995. He keeps his sugar level between 72-120. He has high blood pressure which is controlled with inderal. His BP is usually maintaned at 120/80 or lower. He excercises regularly & watches what he eats. He DOES smoke, but he has cut down to about 2 cigarettes each day. He thinks he can quit completely (he has no choice!).
When I first heard the doctor say that two of the arteries closed down, I immediately asked "Is he a walking time-bomb,then, with the other grafts??" The doctor kind of laughed at me & said "of course not." But I still wonder & worry.
They did say that he has to learn his limitations. My dad is very active & he tends to do TOO much physical work.
Do you think, given his history, that the other grafts will close soon? What will happen if they do? The doctors say that his heart is not perfect because of the attacks, but it is in very good shape considering his health history. They say there is no reason he cannot live a long & happy life. What do you think?? Can people really live a long life with just two out of four bypass grafts holding? The doctor said a lot of grafts close up with blood clots very early, but sometimes the patient doesn't even know that it has hapened. Is this true? Please help!
Follow Ups:
Re: Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 6/24/1999
(2)
Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? Tania 6/25/1999
(1)
Re: Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? CCF CARDIO MD -CRC 6/25/1999
(0)
My dad is 56 years old. In March, he suffered chest pains. He was diagnosed with pneumonia & sent home with antibiotics. In April, his chest pains returned. This time, it was discovered that he suffered a massive heart attack in March and was getting ready to suffer another one!
Two of his main arteries were over 95% blocked. Two small branches were also blocked. He underwent quadruple-bypass surgery using a leg vein and the mammary artery & was recovering very well. In fact, the doctors were astounded by his progress.
Then, last week, he had chest pains again! They did a cardiac cath & discovered that the two small branch (grafted) arteries clogged up with blood clots & were no longer functioning at all. The two main arteries were doing very well & he has 100% flow through these arteries.
At first, the doctors said he may suffer further angina pains if the area of the heart near the two small artery branches was not completely dead. Now, they determined that the area is dead, so he probably won't have angina.
However, the doctors said my dad suffered a "very small" heart attack when these grafts closed. They said he should take it easy for a few weeks & then resume normal activity. Also, the doctors seemed quite happy with his bypass. They said that this latest attack was just a small set-back for my dad. In fact, immediately after his bypass, the surgeon commented that the two smaller grafts may not hold. In other words, they were EXPECTING this attack to happen sooner or later. It has only been two months since his surgery.
Is this a common occurance? I mean, they didn't really think the smaller grafts would hold, but we are thankful that the doctors tried anyway.
They seem to be very pleased with my dad's recovery despite the recent attack. They are sending him home with a cholesterol reducer and an anti-clotting med. My dad's current cholesterol is 175, but they want it lower.
My dad suffered a brain aneurism which was repaired in 1986. He was diagnosed with diabetes in 1995. He keeps his sugar level between 72-120. He has high blood pressure which is controlled with inderal. His BP is usually maintaned at 120/80 or lower. He excercises regularly & watches what he eats. He DOES smoke, but he has cut down to about 2 cigarettes each day. He thinks he can quit completely (he has no choice!).
When I first heard the doctor say that two of the arteries closed down, I immediately asked "Is he a walking time-bomb,then, with the other grafts??" The doctor kind of laughed at me & said "of course not." But I still wonder & worry.
They did say that he has to learn his limitations. My dad is very active & he tends to do TOO much physical work.
Do you think, given his history, that the other grafts will close soon? What will happen if they do? The doctors say that his heart is not perfect because of the attacks, but it is in very good shape considering his health history. They say there is no reason he cannot live a long & happy life. What do you think?? Can people really live a long life with just two out of four bypass grafts holding? The doctor said a lot of grafts close up with blood clots very early, but sometimes the patient doesn't even know that it has hapened. Is this true? Please help!
Follow Ups:
Re: Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? CCF CARDIO MD - CRC 6/24/1999
(2)
Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? Tania 6/25/1999
(1)
Re: Dad's Bypass-Success or Failure?? CCF CARDIO MD -CRC 6/25/1999
(0)
