What will happen if D1 blockage becomes 100%.

[westfort]

I currently have a 60-75% blockage in the First Diagonal Branch, what happens if it becomes 100% blocked. (suffer another MI, Angina etc.)
Thanks

[westfort]

Thanks for your reply, I had read about collateral arteries but didn't realize exercise played should a big part. Hope everything is good with you.
All this is new to me so everything helps.
Thanks Again

[westfort]

Thank You  for your reply, I have started cardiac rehab, following doctors recommendation to treat with meds and have starting making diet changes (down 12 lbs). As my doctor says it's all about prevention now. In my case it's family history that appears to be the issue as chestrol,high blood pressure have not been an issue. Hope all is well with you.

[cath911]

Your Cardiologist mentions stenting is not viable, and mentions ballooning is not really an option, but the reason for this is that over 40% of ballooning procedures suffer restenosis. When a Drug Eluting Stent is applied to an artery, the reason these can suffer restenosis is that the stent is a mesh. If you magnify a stent, there is a lot of open space between the struts. To the naked eye, these look tiny, but microscopically, they look like football fields alongside cells. This means the drug on the stent only covers around 10-20% or the artery wall, leaving a lot of potential in the spaces for restenosis. However, in Europe, a new procedure has been used for a short period of time now which shows great promise. In fact, the new procedure could very likely see the end of stents unless a second intervention in the same area is required. I don't think this new procedure has been given the go ahead by the FDA yet? but I'm referring to Drug Eluting Balloons. These have three major benefits. Firstly, the balloon comes into contact with 100% of the artery, coating it with the drug on a stent. Secondly, it can be used in vessels under 2.5mm, which stents cannot. Thirdly, it can treat vessels below the knee which basically are too strong and crush the life out of stents. DEB certainly looks very promising and if not already approved by the FDA, I'm sure with the success in Europe, they soon will be.
I just thought you might find this of interest.

[Flycaster305]

I recently had an angiogram to determine the cause of an increase in breathlessness and angina when doing usual exercise routines.  It was found I had a blockage of 80% at the opening of Diagonal 1 of the LAD, and a similiar blockage in a branch of the RCA, again at the opening, or Ostial, position.  I was told it isn't safe to insert a stent or to use a balloon to open the artery at that location, as the doctor also stated in the older post that Chatty so kindly pulled up.  
I have a long history of blockages and have eight stents.  The good news in my case is that my three primary arteries are disease free.  My doctor doubled my dosage of slow-release Nitro and also the drug Ranexa, and I'm urged to continue to exercise.  He wants me to try and develop collateral arteries (small vessels) to supplement blood supply to the areas of the heart that are currently undersupplied.  I'm to exercise to the point of angina and breathlessness, back off, then go back to that level to get the small vessels to expand.  I practiced this technique twice at the hosital rehab center, and now do it daily on my own.  I must say this isn't the most fun I've had, but I have stable angina and have had it to one degree or another for years and don't panic over the symptom.  I haven't had much luck developing collateral arteries in the past, but I haven't really made an effort to develop them.  Kenkeith, who moderates this board, has the LAD artery 100% occluded and developed collaterals the supply this main artery of the heart.

[ChatterAlly]

In my opinion I would be searching a plan to prevent the blockage from getting any worse.  I would make the necessary lifestyle changes in diet and with exercise first.  I would want to try the meds ordered by my doctor and his recommendation over searching a plan for a total occlusion.

But I have copied an older post for you to read.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Heart-Disease/Chest-pain-and-Diagonal-Branch-blockage/show/254661

Hope this helps.  Take care, Ally