Quad Triple Bypass

[sgeecom]

My 80 year old mother got a quad triple bypass in 2001.  She's complaining about chronic and severe fatigue.  She's under regular care, but doctor doesn't seem to think the fatigue is a problem.  Worried she needs stents or a "redo" of bypass.

How long do these bypass last.  Is it true that leg veins (used for replacement) are not as lasting as original veins?

How would they test for the integrity of bypass in place now?  What's involve.  Don't want to put an elderly person through a lot of testing.

Thanks for any information,

[ed34]

"How long do these bypass last.  Is it true that leg veins (used for replacement) are not as lasting as original veins? "

A bypass can last anywhere from a few weeks to 20+ years. There is no set time limit. I was 47 when I had a triple bypass and three months later it closed up. However as you state, only the veins closed, the artery which was grafted is still wide open.

There are a few tests which would detect the efficiency of the bypass, but the most accurate is actually looking inside the arteries with an angiogram. Just as a matter of interest, have they tried her on nitrates to see if her fatigue improves? Many elderly people are put onto something like nicorandil, because with age our arteries do start to naturally stiffen anyway.
How is her blood pressure? and does she feel any discomfort anywhere? is she getting short of breath?