Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Problems after 2nd bypass
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.
Problems after 2nd bypass
by Airborne6771, Oct 03, 2003 12:00AM
My dad had his 2nd bypass surgery a year and a half ago. His desending aorta is now 85% blocked. This was one of the bypasses done. His doctors are now telling him there is nothing else that can be done and he should enjoy the time he has left. I'm sorry but I can't swallow this. Is there a reason that angioplasty can't be performed? Is there really NOTHING that can be done but to wait and die? I'm frustrated and upset. This is extremely hard because we lost my mother 3 years ago due to a bypass surgery and subsequent paralysis and arterioscerolis. I live 1500 miles away from him and feel completely helpless in this situation. My dad is only 69. He's relatively young and is so full of life. His mental congnitive skills declined a great deal after his second surgery. I realize another procedure could be fatal but given the options they're just delaying the inevitable. If another procedure was done it would give him the chance of a few more years.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF-M.D.-RCJ, Oct 03, 2003 12:00AM
Airborne6771,
Sorry to read of your frustrating situation.
The details that you give are probably not entirely accurate -- aortas can be repaired or replaced but not as part of a coronary bypass operation. However, whenever I hear of a patient being told to enjoy the time they have left, I ask them to seek another opinion. The original doctor may be right, but why trust one opinion. I can tell you that we see numerous patients come through here who have been told to "enjoy the time they have left", only to find that they have several good treatment options.
Seek help from a major institution. Make arragnements for your dad to meet you somewhere, or bring him near your house. Many large centers are available throughout the country that should be able to review your dad's records/films/studies and offer a state-of-the-art opinion.
Good luck.
Sorry to read of your frustrating situation.
The details that you give are probably not entirely accurate -- aortas can be repaired or replaced but not as part of a coronary bypass operation. However, whenever I hear of a patient being told to enjoy the time they have left, I ask them to seek another opinion. The original doctor may be right, but why trust one opinion. I can tell you that we see numerous patients come through here who have been told to "enjoy the time they have left", only to find that they have several good treatment options.
Seek help from a major institution. Make arragnements for your dad to meet you somewhere, or bring him near your house. Many large centers are available throughout the country that should be able to review your dad's records/films/studies and offer a state-of-the-art opinion.
Good luck.
