Another new procedure

[shopman]

Following on from a previous thread there was more news tonight of another new procedure carried out recently at the Freeman Hospital, Newcastle.

Intravascular Lithotripsy - more info at shockwavemedical.com/

The patient featured in the report went home the same day. Could it be angiplasty and/or bypasses may be coming to the end of their days.

[Speakeazi]

It sounds amazing. I would prefer to see some independent peer reviewed research and as exciting as it is, I would rather my team had lots of experience before going anywhere near me!

[Sunnie2day in reply to Speakeazi]

My brother had several kidney stones zapped out of existence with lithotripsy back in the late 90s (USA) and couldn't believe how easy it all was compared to the staghorn stone he'd had surgically removed in the early 90s. He went home at 7 days after the surgery and wasn't fully healed for months. After the lithotripsy he was home the next morning and back on the tennis court in two weeks - he was ready for exercise a few days after but the medics insisted he wait two weeks.

I've recently had an angiogram with the result being 'crystal clear' arteries but if I had blockages and was offered lithotripsy as an alternative to stents I'd be Janey-on-the-spot for it.

[shopman in reply to Sunnie2day]

If I had the chance I would be first in the queue. My grafts have furred up and although I have had stents fitted I still have one that is totally blocked. There was a chance of having rotablation to my original arteries a couple of years ago but that has been put on hold following heart failure diagnosis.

[Sunnie2day in reply to shopman]

I'm sorry about your heart failure - since diagnosis have you had any improvement?

[shopman in reply to Sunnie2day]

Unfortunately not, keep filling up with fluid and being treated at present for asthma & COPD.

[Sunnie2day in reply to shopman]

Oh I am sorry! I'll keep you in my prayers. Fluid build up is horrible (I have recurrent pericarditis and pericardial effusion is the cause of my nightmares).

[shopman in reply to Sunnie2day]

I struggled for the first 2 years or so then felt fine and basically got back to normal. The next 14 years or so passed by without too many problems until at the end of 2015 I knew things were not right.

When I originally had my bypass they told me average life before further intervention was approx 7 years but I managed 16 before having to ask for help. 2016 & 2017 passed in a bit of a blur with 3 different procedures for stents and yes I felt fine. At the end of 2017 I started to get breathless and was always full of fluid, more investigation suggested Heart Failure was now on the menu.

I got to the end of last year after suffering numerous chest infections and am where I am now - asthma & COPD. I appreciate I have done better than some, my brother collapsed in the doctors surgery and did not survive, he was only 41 at the time.

[Sunnie2day in reply to shopman]

Have you been officially diagnosed with HF or are they still investigating?

[shopman in reply to Sunnie2day]

Yes that was confirmed 2 years ago.

[Sunnie2day in reply to shopman]

I hope the fluid build up resolves soon and you're back feeling a bit better soon.

My dad had COPD and congestive heart failure and the fluid build up was the worst for him during autumn and winter. The meds cocktail he was on made it more difficult to control (prednisone, theophylline, and lasix - the steroid especially as it worked against the diuretic).

That was back in the mid-80s so hopefully newer medications are being used to fight the conditions you have.

[shopman in reply to Speakeazi]

Have to honest and say the Freeman is one of the best.