Re: Vertebral Artery Stenosis

Posted By Vickie on April 28, 1999 at 20:44:47
My father has recently found out that the artery on the right side in the back of his neck is being "blocked" when he turns his head to the right.  After undergoing a Cath, the doctor said it was due to the spinal bones that the vessel goes through, they were pinching the vessel off as he turned his head.  They also said that he does not have any of the "alternate pathways" for the blood flow to continue; thus making him at high risk for stroke, passing out, etc.  My question is this:  The neurosurgeon said he is treating him for vertebral artery stenosis, but the surgery he is to have on May 7 is to go in and see if there is a bone spur there and eliminate it.  He is worried because of the length of time the doctor has reported to his employer that he will be out (6-8 weeks).  Exactly what does this type of surgery entail and what can he expect to be able to do when he comes home from the hospital & how long will it take for him to "get back to "normal""?  I would appreciate an answer ASAP, his surgery is on May 7, 1999 at Palmetto Richland Memorial in Columbia, SC.

[CCF CARDIO MD DLB]

Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on April 30, 1999 at 10:16:35
Dear Vickie
I think that the recovery period the neurosurgeon mentioned is accurate. This will be delicate surgery. Assuming that all goes well, he would still need several weeks to recuperate.
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.

[Vickie__0__0]

Posted By Vickie on May 01, 1999 at 15:59:18
I know you can not answer in very specific terms, because each case would be different, however, in this type of surgery, what will the surgeon be doing?  If it is the bones "pinching" off the vessel or a bone spur, how do they "eliminate" it without decreasing the strength of his bones?  Also, you said it would be "delicate" surgery, WHY?, if all they have to do is scrape some bone away?  My father just under went quadrouple bypass surgery back in January, 1999 and that is why the cardiovascular surgeon did not recommend him to have a bypass done on this vessel.  They said the right vessel was big and strong, but the left one was totally blocked and it looked as if it had been that way probably since birth!  I wold like to thank you for a quick response to the above mentioned questions!










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