General Angioplasty Questions

Posted by CH on July 29, 1999 at 09:16:27
Dear Physicians at CCHC,
With today's technologies in stenting what would be some reasons why a cardiologist when doing an angioplasty may opt not to use a stent?  How long can a successful angioplasty last; i.e., could it last for years before it may need to be redone, forever, etc.?  In general, is it better to follow up angioplasty's with a thallium stress test or PET scan and at what intervals; i.e., yearly, twice a year, etc.?
Thanks and Congratulations on your US News and World Report Blue Ribbon Award!

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on July 29, 1999 at 14:04:11
Dear CH,
There are many reasons why an interventionalist may choses angioplasty over stent including vessel size (smaller vessels may be less amenable to stents), curvature, involvement of secondary vessels or location at a bifurcation.  In general, a properly performed angioplasty in combination with antiplatelet agents may be expected to have a goog long-term (years) lasting effect.  
It is not routine to check stress tests after angioplasties, but some physicians may prefer to do this in their patients.
I hope you find this information useful. Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only. Only your physician
can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire
online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the
cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
Posted by CH on July 30, 1999 at 09:52:14
Dear Physicians at CCHC,
In your response you stated: "It is not routine to check stress tests after angioplasties, but some physicians may prefer to do this in their patients."  What are the methods, tests, etc. that interventionalist cardiologists use to follow their angioplasty patients?
Thanks - CH

Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on August 08, 1999 at 15:05:00
Dear CH,
Typical tests following angioplasty may include persantine thallium, PET scans or even a simple exercise treadmill test depending on the preference of the physician.  

I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.