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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Re: spontaneous coronary artery dissection
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Re: spontaneous coronary artery dissection
by CCF CARDIO MD DLB, Jan 01, 1995 12:00AM
Posted By CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on November 29, 1998 at 14:34:41:
In Reply to: spontaneous coronary artery dissection posted by carol on November 29, 1998 at 09:55:42:
If you have any information on dissection of an artery (right preferabley) please post information. My daughter had a dissection of her right coronary artery 11 days after the birth of her second child. The doctor put 5 stents in her right artery. She needs to know iif there is a chance of this happening to her again? Can she expect to live a normal life span and if the stents will need to be replaced later. Her doctor has very little information on this type of heart attack. We know very few women survive a heart attack like this. She needs to talk to someone else that has been through this type of heart attack.
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Dear Carol
Coronary dissection is a relatively rare event. There are numerous causes, in addition to the post-pregnancy state. High blood pressure, cocaine use, Marfans syndrome and other rarer connective tissue disorders, and smoking are some of the considerations. If any of these other factors were present they need to be treated specifically.
The stents do not routinely need to be replaced. However, there is a chance of any stent closing up within six months of implantation; this risk is about 10 to 20 percent, and is increased with placement of more stents. This process, called restenosis, is rarely fatal. If she has any symptoms of chest discomfort or difficulty breathing, she should seek emergency help immediately. As far as the longer term prognosis, it is difficult to say anything too definitive, as this is a rare condition. Most cardiologists would advise against repeat pregnancy or extreme physical exertion. It is unlikely that she will have a recurrence (unless she has one of the predisposing factors I mentioned).
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
In Reply to: spontaneous coronary artery dissection posted by carol on November 29, 1998 at 09:55:42:
If you have any information on dissection of an artery (right preferabley) please post information. My daughter had a dissection of her right coronary artery 11 days after the birth of her second child. The doctor put 5 stents in her right artery. She needs to know iif there is a chance of this happening to her again? Can she expect to live a normal life span and if the stents will need to be replaced later. Her doctor has very little information on this type of heart attack. We know very few women survive a heart attack like this. She needs to talk to someone else that has been through this type of heart attack.
***@****
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear Carol
Coronary dissection is a relatively rare event. There are numerous causes, in addition to the post-pregnancy state. High blood pressure, cocaine use, Marfans syndrome and other rarer connective tissue disorders, and smoking are some of the considerations. If any of these other factors were present they need to be treated specifically.
The stents do not routinely need to be replaced. However, there is a chance of any stent closing up within six months of implantation; this risk is about 10 to 20 percent, and is increased with placement of more stents. This process, called restenosis, is rarely fatal. If she has any symptoms of chest discomfort or difficulty breathing, she should seek emergency help immediately. As far as the longer term prognosis, it is difficult to say anything too definitive, as this is a rare condition. Most cardiologists would advise against repeat pregnancy or extreme physical exertion. It is unlikely that she will have a recurrence (unless she has one of the predisposing factors I mentioned).
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
