Re-opening of blocked bypass grafts and arteries

[betty401]

Hello,

My mother, 79 years old had a triple heart bypass surgery 13 years ago. She has been on medication - Aspirin 81 mg, Metoprolol, Crestor and Metformin (since recently to control her elevated sugar levels) every day.  She started to experience more frequent angina attacks, along with symptoms of vomiting / nausea, abdominal pain since May of this year. The angina attacks have become  progressively more frequent and severe in the past 6-8 weeks. Her cardiologist has referred her for an angiogram with a possible angioplasty this coming Thursday. Could you, please, advise me of what she (and us ) can expect ? How safe is angioplasty for somebody of her age and somebody who already had a CABG ? Thank you very much for your answer in advance !

[betty401]

Thanks for your private message - I have responded to it. Please, feel free to reply back.

[ed34]

I have sent you a private message, please read it before making any commitments with your Mothers treatment.

[betty401]

Thank you very much for your answer.

I have talked to the cardiologist today, again, who has advised me that my mother's Hemoglobin is also low. The scare comes in now, if the angioplasty is performed on Thursday and she has (God forbid) an ulcer and internal bleeding due to the intake of Aspirin 81 mg   (baby Aspirin) on a daily basis for the past 13 years (the last U/S from May/2012 was clean).  The cardiologist has advised that the situation will be assessed at the hospital as to how they will proceed under these new circumstances.  All I can say at the moment is....."When it rains, it pours".....

[ed34]

Hi
   Angioplasty is low risk, lower than CABG and there should be no problems with her age. Having had previous bypass surgery makes no difference. HOPEFULLY, they will see the blockage causing the problem and be able to stent it.