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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Purpose of Catheterization
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.
Purpose of Catheterization
by Elaine R, Nov 18, 1999 12:00AM
My 72 year old father has resisted his (VA) MD's recommendation for heart valve replacement for about three years. He received a call requesting that he schedule a cardiac catheterization within the next few days.
He is adamantly opposed to any invasive procedure...he claims he feels well and recognizes no need for any procedure. He walks about 4 miles a day during his series of walks and experiences no discomfort at any time. His father (and one brother) suffered fatal heart attacks. My Dad seems to think his father underwent a catheterization while hospitalized hortly before his death.
QUESTION: What is the value of such a procedure for heart valve problems? Is there an urgency in this situation?
Thanks for your response.
He is adamantly opposed to any invasive procedure...he claims he feels well and recognizes no need for any procedure. He walks about 4 miles a day during his series of walks and experiences no discomfort at any time. His father (and one brother) suffered fatal heart attacks. My Dad seems to think his father underwent a catheterization while hospitalized hortly before his death.
QUESTION: What is the value of such a procedure for heart valve problems? Is there an urgency in this situation?
Thanks for your response.
Doctor's Answer
by CCF CARDIO MD JMF, Nov 18, 1999 12:00AM
Given your dad's age, it is imperative that he have a catherization to determine if he has blockages in his heart that will need to be repaired at the time of surgery.
It is important to fix his valve before his heart funciton declines too much. this makes him a much poorer surgical candidate.
It is important to fix his valve before his heart funciton declines too much. this makes him a much poorer surgical candidate.
Member Comments (1)
by Mel111, Mar 25, 2008 08:19PM
A related discussion, should I have a aeorta catherter was started.
