stent

[brett564]

When doing the catherization the doctor said he came to an area in a medium size artery that had 75% blockage. But due to the fact it was so close to where a smaller artery branched off he thought to install a stent could cause more harm because it was a chance they would block off the smaller artery.  Their decision was to leave the 75% blockage alone and handle with medicine.  My question is why not break-up the blockage or ballon it while you are there.  After spending all that time and money, nothing was done.  

[kenkeith]

You're welcome. I and many other members on the heart disease forum can identify with your concern.  Take care, and I wish you well going forward. :)

[brett564]

Thanks for you time and comment.  All of this is very helpful mentally and physically.

[kenkeith]

The medical guidelines are to not stent an occlusion around 70% unless it is causing chest pains (angina pectoris).  Medication is appropriate as it will dilate the coronary vessels and provide sufficient blood flow to ischemic locations and the evidence of success would be no angina.

I have a 72% blocked ICX branches of the main and bifurgates with the LAD.  My LAD is completely occluded and has a natural bypassed with collateral vessels.  I have been treated with medication for the past 7 years with no problems.  There are risks associated with a stent, and no risk with medication.  If medication does not prevent chest pains sometime in the future then the therapy would be intervention.  Your doctor has made the correct choice if your don't have any symptoms with medication and well tolerated.  What would be said if the intervention was not successful?!

[ed34]

Ballooning only seems to work in around 40% of cases, meaning around 60% re-block fairly quickly. However, in Europe there are new balloons coated with the same medication as a drug eluting stent. A drug eluting stent only delivers the medication to around 20% of the artery lining because it is a mesh. A drug eluting balloon will tough ALL the artery lining when inflated, delivering medication to 100% of the lining in that area.
Apart from that, there are stents and methods used in bifurcation areas. For example, there is the petal stent which has a hole in the side and a short protruding section of stent which goes into the side vessel. Another stent is joint onto this in the adjoining vessel.