Cwrw1

[Cwrw]

Hi can anyone tell me the difference between chronic total occlusion and normal stents ??

Was offered triple bypass or stents! I chose stents had left side done , I'm waiting for the right side of the heart now ??

[NorthantsSteve]

Hi Cwrw1 (like the Welsh name). Chronic total occlusion refers to the blockage in your arteries. There’s two ways of dealing with the blockages - stents or bypass. I’d always go for stents over a bypass if possible. Hope you’re making good progress.

[Cwrw in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Welsh for beer lol

I’m glad you said stents first because they seemed to be pushing for bypass ?? But I’ve had no symptoms? Just took part in a program for concussion in rugby project and the found this ??

Going to get right side sorted on 22nd will let you know how I get off

[NorthantsSteve in reply to NorthantsSteve]

Great news that they identified the blockages and it’s being sorted. You’ll be back to normal soon enough!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

A CTO (chronic total occlusion) is a near total or total blockage. Stents were never considered appropriate treatment and the patient referred for a bypass. However with evolving techniques stents are sometimes a possibility. I believe that only 10% - 20% of catheter interventionists are fluent in this technique.

Do you know which three arteries are affected and which have CTO?

Hope the future treatment goes well.

[Cwrw in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael

I’ve had two on the left side

I’m going in for one on the right side this month

He said the big one in the front is ok

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Cwrw]

Fingers crossed it all goes smoothly. I was going to have stents but it became the full works!