Angiogram

[barnac]

Sorry didn,t finish post , I have PAF and pacemaker but have been suffering with breathlessness and chest pain / arm pain on exertion , my EP feels it is angina and has passed me over to a cardiologist who feels an angiogram and possible stent are in order. I did have a stress MRI earlier this year which showed a partial blockage. I have had 4 ablations over the years but this is something different , how successful might it be , any help appreciated.

[BobD Volunteer]

Very is the short answer but try asking in British Heart Foundation forum as there will be more takers there.

Had two angiograms and so far no need for intervention but my understanding is that if required a stent would be done at the same time so no big deal. There are thousands of people living with this assistance. I guess the only difference afterwards is that you will have to add aspirin or similar to your party bag of drugs. And of course feel much better.

[etheral in reply to BobD]

Given the positive MRI, the angiogram is certainly indicated and if positive a stent would be placed at that time. This is a common procedure and should result in a much greater activity level and much less risk of a major Heart attack. No procedure is without risk, but the risk of doing nothing could be fatal. Best of luck, etheral

[DevonHubby1]

Unlike ablation the angiogram will show exactly where the problem is and insertion of the stent will be to that precise point.

Wife had a CT angiogram as they were worried a normal angiogram would trigger a,PAF episode. Nothing was found in her case and only incident was me getting mugged for my choc bar by a seagull when we left RD&E.

[barnac in reply to DevonHubby1]

Thank you , I have to admit I am concerned about triggering a PAF , already had stress MRI which showed slight blockage , so crossing fingers it all goes smoothly and I can get on with life . We take our hearts so much for granted until there is a problem.

[raymelb]

I had 4 stents over a 9-year period, the last of which was 5 years ago and all were on the basis of "we'll do an angiogram and if we see anything, we'll stent". Obviously they saw a lot! I had another angiogram earlier this year and all 4 were still doing their job well. My first two angioplasties were without sedation and insertion via the wrist; the second two were under sedation, but insertion via the thigh. If you can get insertion via the wrist, it's a lot less hassle.

[barnac in reply to raymelb]

Thanks , can I ask , were you aware of what was happening , I'm a bit of a wimp about these things , has GA for ablations , and sedation for pacemaker insertion .

[raymelb in reply to barnac]

For the first two 'plasties, yes, but with sedation not aware of anything of the other two until they were over.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to raymelb]

Lucky you. My angiogram damaged the radial artery so I no onger have a pulse that side and premanent cold hand. Took hours to stop bleeding as well. Femoral artery was zero problem on a previous.

[raymelb in reply to BobD]

That's awful Bob, very sorry to hear that.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to raymelb]

Happens in about 5% of cases apparently. The ulnar artery takes over but obviously blood flow less than ideal. It's good fun though pretending to be dead when people take you pulse. lol.

[raymelb in reply to BobD]

Haha!