Is having 6 stents unusual?

[LEE0512]

I had my first stent in 1995 (aged 34) one more in 2015 ,another one in 2018 ( after a cardiac arrest) and three more a week ago . Is this unusual and how many before a bypass is likely?

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum! A firmer neighbour was at 7 when he moved and as he was still smoking I expect he has had more by now. I have heard of cases into double figures as you can now have stents within stents. As the total number appear of concern to you the best idea is to raise it with your cardiologist who has all the information to hand. Good luck!

[Mike424u]

Hi, just for information I have had 7 stents fitted in 2 sessions, 12 weeks apart after my first HA, Talking to others on this forum and the cardio rehab nurses I'm not sure if their is a max number, One chap I meet had 12, so I guess as long as your surgeon thinks its safe, how many you have fitted is not an issue. If you have concerns speak to your GP or cardio specialist.

[DavidG1971]

Were the additional stents in the same spot, a different spot in the same artery or different arteries completely? Sorry - just had my first two and curious. Obviously I’d like to avoid more if I can.

[NorthantsSteve]

I believe it’s possible to have 3 or more stents along the same artery (a full metal jacket) and this article talks about a patient with 67 stents! onlinejacc.org/content/56/1.... But I imagine that’s rare. You’ve got a long way to go to catch this chap!

[NorthantsSteve in reply to NorthantsSteve]

I don’t think the link is working here’s the reference: Journal of the American College of Cardiology

Volume 56, Issue 19, November 2010

DOI: 10.1016/j.jacc.2010.02.077

PDF Article

A Heart With 67 Stents

Rami N. Khouzam, Rajvir Dahiya and Richard Schwartz

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Here we go:-. onlinejacc.org/content/56/1...

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

You asked how many stents before a bypass.

I’ve had 9, but a bypass in my case was never appropriate. I was shown why, during the angiograms. Mostly the stents were in smaller vessels that couldn't be bypassed (circumflex) or on a branch. One stent was redone, and some were length to length. I was told 12 was the max seen, locally.

[Golfer-but-poor]

I had five fitted, in the same artery, four months ago and it was commented on by ward staff so I thought it was uncommon. Glad to read it is not exceptional.