Total Coronary artery occlusion

[Nendx]

Anyone have any experience of being told not to have surgery for a total occluded right coronary artery because it wont make them live any longer ?

[Stayingaround]

Hi, I have total occluded right artery. Was told that as blood was still finding a different route around that a bypass would be a foolish risk. Just put on meds. That was 16yrs ago so i guess the decision was sound in my case.

[Nendx in reply to Stayingaround]

Thank you for your reply That makes me feel a bit more comfortable . Yes I was told the same very little damage to heart and blood finding it's way round it . Lots of meds and suffering early morning tremors in right arm but no pain as I didnt experience pain in the first place . All a bit of a shock really just got to come to terms with it . I'm 65 .

[STUBAX in reply to Nendx]

I've got a totally occluded right artery, I was told surgery could make the situation worse as there are collaterals from the left artery feeding the area below the blockage. 5 years on I'm still going strong

[Nendx in reply to STUBAX]

Thanks for the reply I was feeling a bit like I was being put on the scrap heap ! Not much support at moment understandably because of covid. But 8 months to diagnosis and no face to face consultations takes its toll .All sorts go through my mind .Do you get regular check ups ?

[MountainGoat52]

My right coronary artery was partially occluded and got blocked by a clot which gave me a HA. For me stents provided the immediate solution, but when I had an elective bypass operation 11 months later, my surgeon decided to bypass the stents. I think he may have been applying gold standard insurance principles! 😀

[Nendx in reply to MountainGoat52]

Thank you for your reply . My blockage has been classed as chronic so I guess gave the blood time to work round it . I guess I'll only end up with a stent if it causes me any trouble. My only symptoms were a feeling like bruising over heart area and fatigue I have family cardiac history so ended up having the tests and getting a bit of a shock !!. Feel slightly worse now with all the meds but still tweaking those. Thanks and keep safe .

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Nendx]

Hello Nendx

Last year a big trial was published comparing the outcomes for people with angina.

Treatment by medication can be as effective as surgery or stents.

The aim of the treatment is to relieve the symptoms of angina.

medscape.com/viewarticle/92...

I agree it's challenging at the moment as you are unable to talk to your Cardiologist at present.

[Nendx in reply to Milkfairy]

Thank you for the info . Useful to know .I'm happy with that (the angiogram was bad enough !!) so long as it doesnt get worse if left !!! .

[Prada47]

HelloI also have a 100% blocked RCA when I was having Bypass surgery the Surgeon who carried out the procedure just said he looked at and it was best to leave it alone. After the bypass I still experienced angina and after an angiogram it was decided to stent my already bypassed LAD, so a couple of stents fitted.

The Consultant has said he will attempt to open my RCA but it is Risky and he would only attempt it if I suffer any more Angina !!

I do have Heart Failure but I have a decent ejection fraction at around 40 % so I don't think the blocked RCA is causing to much trouble at the moment !! Not sure if that is wishful thinking as I get older it may cause some difficulty only time will tell ( I Hope )

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[Nendx in reply to Prada47]

Thanks for your reply sounds like youve been through the mill a bit but I guess we are all in good hands to make us comfortable. I hope things stay stable for you and you dont have to have further procedures. At the moment I just have the 100 % occlusion with collaterals . They say it is viable. Only mild disease in lca I dont really understand it all and have only had brief telephone consult with cardiologist after angiogram and stress mri and echo . He said he could open it but since it isnt causing any pain better to leave it and review in 3 months . Worrys me a bit cos I believe it's harder to open the longer its left !! But I'll take their advice . Thank you for replying it's all a learning curve for me .