Shortchanged By-Pass(4 instead of 5)

[Alienwordz]

I was told by my cardiologist and surgeon that I needed a 5 vessel by-pass. When I was recovering I was told that I only received 4 vessels replaced and one was so occluded or plugged they did not bother to do the by pass procedure on it. I do not know the techincal name of the vessel but it is a long one that runs from the top to the bottom portion of the heart,

Cardiologists seem evasive when I ask what the implications and risks are with retaining a completely clogged artery. It was totally clogged anyway so I guess I did not "miss it" but I want to know.

Despite the surgery I still have extremely high blood pressure even with medication it runs 185/104, I still need to lose about 70 lbs.

I cannot get a straight answer or maybe they simply do not know. Does anyone know what the prognosis would be still being short one artery?

[kenkeith]

The vessel in question is the LAD (left artery descending) or the RCA (right side).

It is not unusual for an occluded vessel to have developed collateral vessels to provide a natural bypass.  I have a 100% occluded LAD dx'd four years ago. Undoubtfully the blockage is older than 4 years and didn't know of the problem.  I would assume that is the situation for you, and no further action is necessary.

You need to work on getting your bp down.  Lose weight and/or change, increase the medication.