Aa
stent procedure
My husband had two stents put in his heart. both have failed. I would like to know what is next???
For a perspective in about 25% of patients, the growth of scar tissue underneath the lining of the artery may be so thick that it can obstruct the blood flow and produce an important blockage. In-stent restenosis is typically seen 3 to 6 months after the procedure; after 12 months have passed uneventfully, it is rare. Individuals with diabetes are at increased risk for in-stent restenosis.
What is next? The cardiologist may recommend diagnostic tests (for instance, an exercise stress test) to evaluate whether the patient is likely to have developed in-stent restenosis or another coronary artery is blocked. If in-stent restenosis is a possibility, the cardiologist may refer the patient for a repeat cardiac catheterization. In addition, local intravascular radiation (brachytherapy) can be used after treating in-stent restenosis with angioplasty to prevent reoccurrence. Brachytherapy uses a radioactive source that is delivered by a coronary artery catheter inside the narrowed artery for a short period of time (about 10 minutes). The source is removed and does not stay in the body. Because the short period of radiation inhibits long-term tissue growth in the treated vessel, it successfully prevents in-stent restenosis. That treatment may not be available as only a few centers have the special expertise needed to perform brachytherapy
There is a drug eluding balloon option. "CHICAGO, Ill. (March 31, 2008) — An angioplasty balloon coated with a drug that reduces renarrowing of the coronary arteries appears to be more effective than a drug-eluting stent in treating an unwanted build-up of tissue inside a bare-metal coronary stent. After six months, the newly expanded artery remained more widely open within the stent after treatment with the paclitaxel-eluting balloon.
What is next? The cardiologist may recommend diagnostic tests (for instance, an exercise stress test) to evaluate whether the patient is likely to have developed in-stent restenosis or another coronary artery is blocked. If in-stent restenosis is a possibility, the cardiologist may refer the patient for a repeat cardiac catheterization. In addition, local intravascular radiation (brachytherapy) can be used after treating in-stent restenosis with angioplasty to prevent reoccurrence. Brachytherapy uses a radioactive source that is delivered by a coronary artery catheter inside the narrowed artery for a short period of time (about 10 minutes). The source is removed and does not stay in the body. Because the short period of radiation inhibits long-term tissue growth in the treated vessel, it successfully prevents in-stent restenosis. That treatment may not be available as only a few centers have the special expertise needed to perform brachytherapy
There is a drug eluding balloon option. "CHICAGO, Ill. (March 31, 2008) — An angioplasty balloon coated with a drug that reduces renarrowing of the coronary arteries appears to be more effective than a drug-eluting stent in treating an unwanted build-up of tissue inside a bare-metal coronary stent. After six months, the newly expanded artery remained more widely open within the stent after treatment with the paclitaxel-eluting balloon.
Is your husband taking Plavix and 81mg aspirin therapy? What kind of stent was placed in his artery? I strongly suggest that you get the operative report from the docs and post the information on this forum, you will get a more informed report. This information must be disclosed to you. Do follow through and get this information and post it. Keep us informed and best wishes, sounds like a serious situation, but more information is needed.
It depends on how and when they failed. Did they fail from calcium deposits? If he has had the stents for awhile and the calcium is built around the stents, then he may need a open heart surgery.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the Heart Disease Community
Is a low-fat diet really that heart healthy after all? James D. Nicolantonio, PharmD, urges us to reconsider decades-long dietary guidelines.
Can depression and anxiety cause heart disease? Get the facts in this Missouri Medicine report.
Fish oil, folic acid, vitamin C. Find out if these supplements are heart-healthy or overhyped.
Learn what happens before, during and after a heart attack occurs.
What are the pros and cons of taking fish oil for heart health? Find out in this article from Missouri Medicine.
How to lower your heart attack risk.
