Well, went in for my angiogram and low and behold was faced with another 2 stents placed into my atreries...Now my hip surgery will be placed on hold once again, but because they used bare metal stents it will only be put off for approximately a month...I will still be on Plavix and aspirin until that time...I have another question, the doctor told me that I had a reaction to one of the original medicated stents that he had previously placed into my artery, wasn't sure what he meant and being he was so busy that day, I never got to ask as many questions as I wanted...The only thing I can figure was that the stent had started to collapse or become blocked again...Any input you can share will be greatly appreciated...Thanks...
Greetings Doc...
I have finally been scheduled for my hip replacement in April 08, although I just had another stress test where they have found a blood flow problem in the front area of my heart...On Monday 3/17 I will undergoing another angiogram...If they find nothing, then my surgery will be kept on schedule, if they find a blockage I was told that this time I will receive bare metal stent(s) and that this will push my surgery off at least another month...My Orthopedic surgeon was very specific in me stopping both the aspirin and Plavix totally to prevent any kind of excessive bleeding...I trust him and his work as he has a great reputation, but I am troubled that this will be an ongoing problem with blockages throughout my lifetime...Being my other hip will need to be replaced in the future, I can see this same scenario being continued...What do you think..?
Thanks...
I am sorry for the delay in answering the question. The current recommendation is to take aspirin and Plavix for at LEAST one year after drug eluting stent placement. Two years likely makes it safer for you to be off the medicines for a short while ie, 7 days. However you might ask your surgeon if you could remain on aspirin 81 mg. and not stop this medicine and only stop the Plavix which might lower your risk of a cardiac event in the post surgical time.