Drug Eluting stents & PCa?

[Advo__cate]

Has anyone had a coronary stent procedure done while undergoing PCa treatment? I’m interested in hearing about your experience or any other information one can offer.

[jmurgia]

I had 2 "dissolving" stents placed in 2013. One in the circumflex artery and one in the left anterior descending artery. I can's remember if they were drug eluting but suspect that they were. It was part of a clinical trial for the dissolving stents.

I have had PCa since 2002 but have not had any treatment.

Joe

[Advo__cate in reply to jmurgia]

Thanks.

[Hidden]

quite an interesting question, would also like to know more! we are even thinking if stents are a good idea since studies show that stents do not prevent heart attacks or prolong life.

(because the big majority of events are NOT where the stents are placed if I understand it correctly... so why taking this extra risk?) and the plaque rupture because of destabilisation can occur in different points anyway (specially with unstable plaques + ADT).

[Advo__cate in reply to Hidden]

I agree. Studies show they do not prevent heart attacks and the risk of clotting may be greater. Why the extra risk?

His LAD and Left Main were 95% blocked at the area where heart attacks originate with three others at 75%, my husband should have already had a serious cardiac event as mentioned to us by more than one cardiologist. My husband did end up getting five DES this past Wednesday. they are placed at the sight of the blockage at the top of the artery where heart attacks originate, my understanding. What else could we do? He was beginning to have shortness of breath with light walking and up a flight of stairs tightness in his chest. It was only a matter little time before the blockage would be 100%. I don't think he knew how bad it was, he always pushes past most any "sick" stuff, he was in denial about a lot of it. So today he feels much better and is satisfied he had the procedure done. It was complex and took about 2-1/2 hours. We had a top notch IC with boatloads of experience, he led a clinical trial about PCI being comparable to CABG for those who have been turned down for bypass.

If your husband doesn't have loads of bone mets to the sternum/manubrim and he goes with ADT, he can opt for the bypass if the CVD is accelerated to the point my husband's ended up. It stinks, we don't like it, but it is our reality. I certainly hope/pray it will not be your story and your husband breezes through ADT like a champ...arteries unaffected.

[Hidden in reply to Advo__cate]

I am sure in your case it was the best choice! Have a look to Dr. Esselstyn's view, could help your husband stopping CVD! And yes, we will monitor cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, specially in the first months!

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

How bad was his CVD before ADT and how fast did it get worse? My husband runs and has no symptoms, but still has important blockages, but in the middle of LAD, not at beginning. The danger is he has quite unstable plaques already and spotty calcium, so it is dangerous, but don't know if for him stents would help.

[Advo__cate in reply to Hidden]

The first and second CT scans at PCa diagnosis the radiologist found mild calcifications (we were not aware of this at the time), the third scan it was found to be severe. Our MO told us at this time and advised to get a cardiologist on board. My husband was not having any cardiac symptoms before this time or at the time MO told us last August. Two shots of Lupron in a period of six months, mild to severe. Thing is MO didn’t have to tell us, by law he is not obligated to jump in the cardiology lane to alert us. How is that caring for your patient? I’m grateful we have the MO that we do. Last June was my husband’s last Lupron shot. I know MO will want to get him back on some form of ADT at his next visit in two weeks. I just don’t know how he can take it...cardiologist does not want him on it but understands PCa needs to be treated. Cardiologist told us he has two young professional athletes with PCa on ADT with the same cardiac issues as my husband, scary stuff.

[Advo__cate in reply to Hidden]

Oh, my husband’s cholesterol, BP, and Blood sugar were all in normal ranges before and while on ADT.