Very ODD

[ed34]

I had a phone call from my Cardiologist today who said he has been looking over the images of my angio procedure in March. They fitted 2 stents and he believes they missed a blockage and believes it could potentially become quite nasty. So to say the very least, I am shocked. They want to do the procedure on 19th of this month and this time go in
through the arm because my leg has been used too many times already. I stated how I feel great, I haven't felt so good in 4 years, but he insists that if this blockage worsens, it will be nasty.
So, when confronted like that, how can you argue? I've told him I want to see the images before I go into the angio-lab, and I want him to fully explain the situation. Just when I thought it was all finally over :(
One thing I suppose, is that he is certainly keeping a close eye on me. They usually wait til you have a MI before doing anything.

[Rainer1]

It is unfortunate that they missed one. How ever" Good for you that He let you know and wnating to address this.

[bubbaben]

They used the right wrist and I can truly say it was not a bad experience.....Tho they did say there is no guarentee untill they try....You will still be all shaved and ready to go if it doesnt work......As far as diamond based on the  bill for all the test they should have loaded it with diamond....Best of luck to all who get to use the wrist  you will never allow them to use the groin again...........Rich

[ed34]

I know they can use the other leg, but it's more awkward I believe for the cardiologist to have to lean over.

[Flycaster305]

Thanks for that, Ed.  

My femoral artery is used up as well, I'm told, it's been tapped too many times, but hopefully it has been tapped for the last time.  

Keep us informed.    

[ed34]

Thank you for that information, I sure hope they can push and heave that catheter through my arm. I think the leg is going to be WAY too painful now. I'll take my toolbag with me in case they need a hammer.
I did hear that it makes a big difference which arm they use. One is very direct to the heart, whereas the other has a longer route? Was it your right wrist?
If the bracelet has diamonds, it's coming home with me.

[ed34]

just plavix and aspirin, preferably for life if you are stented. You run the risk of restenosis if you stop taking them. The stent won't move once inserted, it's as tight as a scotsmans wallet. I know over here, if you have any stents, you stay at least overnight. If no stents, you go home in a few hours. I don't mind if I have to stay in though, gives me a chance to cheer up the miserable souls in the cardiac ward :)

[LindaTX]

Thanks, ed...that makes me feel better.  I just know that for my ablation they couldn't go through my femoral veins and went through my jugular vein instead.  I think the arm or wrist would be perfect.  I'm having it Mon and have to fly to Austin, TX on Wed...and then drive about 80 mi. to get home.  I hope I can manage all of that.  Whether they decide to do a stent or just look around, it doesn't sound like too big of a deal.  I just hope the stent stays in place....any special meds you have to be on afterwards?  Thanks again for making me feel more at ease! :)

[ChatterAlly]

Yeah!  Next time I am going to ask about that.  I know I will need one at any moment now.  Angina is not just the spasms anymore.  I have it with exertion and I had a 50% block over a year ago....so........ Just the idea that you don't have to be flat for any amount of time is great.  I have a very weak back.  Thanks, Ally

[bubbaben]

Ed    I had the cath in the arm in March of this year.....It was the easiest procedure I have ever been thru ...They say that they cant tell you for sure if it will make it untill they try....Mine worked fine....They actually went thru the wrist and when they were done they put a 2 inch like bracelet around the wrist and pumped air into it to keep pressure on the puncture wound....They let a little air out at a time which took a few hours and you could walk around the whole time......So if no one has had it done it was a great experience  as compared to the groin....Rich  

[ed34]

Flycaster305 was on the nail. I went to see my regular Doctor today and she had an email from my Cardiologist. The Cardiologist who did my stents in March wasn't the Man I normally deal with, but does have a good reputation. I was in a lot of discomfort in the procedure because the amount of scar tissue around the femoral artery was making the anaesthetic much less effective. This caused the Cardiologist to want the procedure over with asap. He noticed a blockage forming further up the left circumflex but it was around 70% and decided to leave it alone due to timing issues. I had already been on the table for nearly an hour to have 2 stents. My regular Cardiologist feels that I should have this stented because of my history. The blockages recently stented took just a few months to get to over 90% and he feels it is very risky to leave this one. They have a meeting every month with all cardiologists and my case was brought up, and images were shown. My regular cardiologist questioned the blockage and said it needs intervention. He did agree however, that leaving it at the time was a good move. I had been in a radioactive environment for nearly an hour and was in discomfort.
It's reassuring that they are keeping an eye on things in the background. In the past I've complained of chest pains and nothing has been done until I have MI, but this time they seem to moving well ahead of time, I hope. In a way, I know it has only been since march, but to have another glimpse at the arteries is reassuring, at least you can see if there are any further culprits starting to appear, and see how existing stents are holding up. As Erijon states, it's better to know than not know.

[ed34]

Hi Linda, do you have issues with your arm? I would have thought it would be ideal to go in directly through the arm for this, rather than up from the femoral artery? I suppose it depends from which direction they would prefer to attack any problems.
I know the first one scares you to death, but when you are laying there, just think "hmm, Eds had loads of these and nothing bad has happened" :)  I can promise you there is nothing to worry about, you won't feel a thing and the tools they have now are incredible. I always lay there waiting to feel them make the incision, only to see them already in the coronary arteries lol. You can ask them to give you some meds to make you a bit 'high', but I prefer to be wide awake. I hope you share your experience after, it is always interesting to know how others felt  etc. I know you will be fine :)
If you have any questions, please feel free to post them or message me ok.

[LindaTX]

Hey Ed, looks like I'll be going through a possible brachial artery angiogram, they say if they can't go through the femoral, they go through the arm now.  I'm new to this and scared to death.  Good Luck to you with yours and keep your fingers crossed for me.

[ChatterAlly]

Over the last 9 years I have had 10 femoral caths.  2 were for the blockage in the Iliac artery to my leg.  (100% for about 2 years.  Thought I had arthritis)  I can't even imagine what it would be like to have this done in the arm.  Where is the puncture point?  I am anxious to hear about your experience with this.  I am wondering if you are able to sit or stand earlier with it done this way.  I know this sounds crazy, but the last several caths I had I asked for a foley cath.  I can't use a bed pan!  And I react terribly mean with the versette. To me that is the worst part of the procedure. I get so belligerent on versette.  Take care, Ed and let me know what it is like. Ally

[Flycaster305]

Ed, I'm very sorry you have this stress.

I'm betting that the doctor had a question in his/her mind when the procedure took place, and in the months that followed, read a research bit that make him/her think twice about what happened with you. In my work, I've had that experience where recent research brought up new information and I would call up a company and suggest there is more information and my fix wasn't complete and we needed a second look.  I'm thinking you have an outstanding medical team working for you.  The fact that you are pro-active in your health care is a huge plus.  Our doctors aren't Gods, but we can be very happy when we know we have doctors that are working for and with us.  Let us know.

[ed34]

Thanks, I will. Now I will know the difference between a radial entry and a femoral, something else to add to my experience lol.

[erijon]

I guess it's better to know than not know, but holy cow! All I can say is I hope all goes well and I'll be keeping you in thoughts as I'm sure many of us will.

Please keep me updated and good luck.

Jon

[jrbon]

Perhaps I am more suspicious that you .... but it sounds very strange to me that he looks at the video of a procedure that he did 5 months ago!!! If he does that with all the people he will not have time to do anything else!!

Have you asked why he did that?

Also, do you buy the fact that an experienced doctor omits a blockage??  It sounds to me as an excuse to go in and try to repair something that he did very wrong and that probably has already blown up with other patient less fortuned than you.

Sorry, if I give you more worries, but this is the first thing that comes to my mind.
I think that, as you said, you need to investigate further what it is going on and what  the driving interest behind this are.

Jesus

[ed34]

Thank you Ally. I've never been catheterized through the arm before, it will be interesting.

[ChatterAlly]

I'll be watching and wondering to see how you do.  And, of course, my thoughts and prayers will go out to you and yours.  Take care friend, Ally