treatment options...surgical and nonsurgical

[Virginia1955]

My husband, who is 63, has had two quadruple bypasses.  Each was 10 years apart. In 2008 he again experienced trouble and had a stent.  This past week he had another angiogram to evaluate the persistent angina  and shortness of breath he was experiencing.  We were told that the stent from two years ago was gone and that the remaining "natural artery" had signs of disease.  He was told about a new medication to ease the angina but was told that no further surgeries were available.  Is this true?

After the stent in 2008 I began searching for options should the need arise, and it has.  I have read articles about artificial veins which can be used and that when treated with something prior to use can actually prevent buildup/blockage.  Is this a viable option?

I want to educate myself prior to his next doctor's appointment.

[Virginia1955]

I like that little article and will have to do some investigation.  I believe that is one of the recent ones I had just discovered.  I do want to go in with questions as I have not been impressed by the doctors since moving away from the Cleveland Clinic!

Thanks!

[ed34]

You are correct. I admire someone who looks into what is available and in research, so my hat off to you on that. I do believe however that plastic tubes used at the moment for bypass grafts are only suitable for vessels with 8mm lumen diameter or greater because they tend to clot. They are also very rigid and don't 'stretch' with each heart beat. HOWEVER, if you look here, there are trials for a new artery proposed for the end of this year....

http://www.plasticstoday.com/mpw/articles/polymer-based-artificial-arteries-use-nanotechnology-0105