Out of the Blue an Angioplasty Appointment

[Rico166]

Hi everyone,

Hope you are all keeping safe and well.

Yesterday, I received a call from the hospital booking me in for my angioplasty appointment, some of you may remember that I have had two failed attempts to stent me and have been waiting ages for them to have another go at me! I must admit that the call came as something of a shock as I wasn't expecting to be seen during this crisis. Anyway, it is next Tuesday. I have such mixed feelings; delighted that it is happening, scared it will go wrong again and anxious about going into a hospital during Covid-19. I know that logically they would not put me or anyone else at risk, but it does make me nervous, also that I won't be able to have my partner with me to keep me distracted.

Just wondering if anyone else here has been into hospital during this period and if you have any advice on both staying safe and staying amused/entertained/distracted during the recovery hours - they'll be going in via my wrist and groin again, so I expect to kept in for at least 8 hours before they think I have stopped bleeding enough to send me home...

Thanks all!

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

In the last three weeks I have been to hospital three times and have an MRI scan (with contrast) at the end of the week. Initially the protocols were slightly muddled but they are now very tight. Separate entrances were in use for outpatients, A&E and CovID patients with PPE in use and disinfection of surfaces. Remember the staff no more want to be infected than you. Having an ultrasound with three masked staff nearly made me hold my hands up! 😀

[Rico166 in reply to MichaelJH]

Brilliant - that's very reassuring! The Cardiac Unit is in its own building with a completely separate entrance, so I am sure there will be no crossover as it were. I imagine the angioplasty team will look like something out of a sci-fi movie and I'll be the robot they are repairing

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Rico166]

It tends to be mask with protective glasses or visor, scrubs or similar with apron over. The first check is temperature and if it is raised at all it is no go!

[Rico166 in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks for the heads up!

[shaunyw]

Hi,

I was back in hospital a couple of weeks ago, the situation was so well managed I would not have any reservation whatsoever about going in again.

Also I had angioplasty emergency and planned a couple of months ago. Though beforehand I was really nervous and wary of what might happen, it really is nothing to worry about. I was literally 'under the knife' (no actual knifes involved!) for about 5 minutes each time, the rest of the time was taken up with prep. On a scale I would place my angioplasty experience as worse than getting a haircut but not as bad as going to the dentist.

[Rico166 in reply to shaunyw]

Thanks, this is reassuring. I’ve already had two angios, the first was pretty dramatic as my heart stopped during the procedure and they needed to restart it. Second one took two hours and they had to abandon it, so 3rd time lucky, I hope!! Just looking forward to being well again 😊

Being someone who always needs something to worry about, I am now concerned about the journey to the hospital. I’ll never learn, but logically, I know it will be fine.

Cheers and here’s to your continued recovery.

[Prada47 in reply to Rico166]

Hi Rico

Just a question is it the same Cardiologist as the one who couldn't quite complete last time ??

I think but not 100% sure is that two cardiologists can work at the same time, one through the wrist whilst one works through the groin as they are both looking at the same picture !! They do wear a Full Face Shield and Gown well the Cardiologist does. The rest of the team just have a mask !!

Stay Well Stay Safe

The Cath Lab is probably the Cleanest place in the Hospital !!

[Rico166 in reply to Prada47]

Hello,

Quite so, this time, my usual Cardiologist will be assisting the head of practice, one going in through the wrist and the other the groin. Last time this is what happened, but my Cardio was assisted by a Senior Registrar. From what I understand, there were two issues, one is that the blockage is bigger and more solid than expected and that there was some sort of debris behind the blockage that they didn't want to disturb. I am immensely lucky in that the professor who is leading the procedure next week is one of the top angioplasty practitioners in the UK, so I am in very good hands. When I saw him for a consultation a few months back, he told me that all going well, I should be able to stop all my medication with the exception of the statins which is very pleasing indeed. I'll let you know how I get on once it is all done!

[Prada47 in reply to Rico166]

Sounds Good

I have a blocked RCA which could be opened but it would take Two Cardiologists working in Tandem, Groin and Wrist. I did know it can be done like that, but didn't like to say in case it alarmed you !!

I have been told the Risk slightly outweighs the Reward in my case but should I deteriorate my Cardiologist would attempt to open it !!!

I do have 100% faith in my Cardiologist in fact I don't think I would let anyone else loose in my Arteries only Him !!!

Keep Well Sure it will work out well.

[Hidden in reply to Prada47]

My understanding was if the artery is 100% blocked then that part of the heart it feeds too is also non-viable ( unless stem cells are put on that part). I only say this because I had a artery unblocked and it’s made me worse with absolutely no benefit. However, my cardiologist assured me it’s always better to have a artery unblocked regardless 🤔. I can only presume this is because it can recreate more functional collateral arteries

[Rico166 in reply to Hidden]

From what I understand my heart is still very healthy apart from this and being fed by new canalisations that have been made by my heart itself, so all is still being fed, but at a much lower rate than it should be. Like you. Prada, I have complete trust in the team looking after me! Good luck with your condition too. Hope to have great news when I post next week

[Prada47 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Boo boo

You are correct, and the improvement may be very marginal, but my Cardiologist has said the Risk is Greater than the reward so for me it is a last resort.

Mine started off in 1982 with a total blockage very low down in my RCA ( No Stents in 1982 ) and over the next 33 years it blocked.

But don't know exactly when it blocked 100% without giving me another MI but it must have been very slowly.

This is what the Cardiologist had to say. There is a CTO of the RCA and further disease in the Proximal LAD which goes on to supply a large septal and large diagonal territory..

I note from the Myocardial Perfusion Scan there is a total defect affecting 16% of the myocardium 4% of this is reversible and 12 % is fixed and non-reversible.

The original plan was to attempt PCI to the CTO. RCA.

My preferred option is to treat the disease in the LAD and only treat the RCA CTO if he remains symptomatic after that.

He was right I have had very little Angina pain since 2018 when he opened the LAD with 2 stents into the LAD which had been Bypassed in 2015. I have a 2 year review in June when he has asked for an updated Echocardiogram before the appointment. I do have Heart Failure and he did hope that stenting the LAD may have improved the EF which unfortunately it didn't !!!

Long winded but I think it may enlighten some !!

Stay Well and Stay Safe