New heart problem

[Nowel]

Advice needed on angiogram I have a 98% blocked and calcified left coronary artery. Lad is 97% blocked and 4 more vessels on left side77% blocked. Too dangerous to stent or cabg. Given medication. I feel like a time bomb. Does anyone have the same problem

[Beith]

Hello Nowel - your diagnosis is very similar to mine - one x 100%, two x 90% and one by 70%. However, I did have a successful CABG. Why are you not being recommended for a bypass op? Do you have other health issues that make an operation more dangerous?

[Nowel in reply to Beith]

I am fit otherwise and 67 years old. Won’t operate as left coronary artery is completely calcified so not suitable for cabg

[Beith in reply to Nowel]

I don't understand why a 100% blockage would rule out CABG as the whole point is to bypass the blockage. Has the heart been damaged by the blockage? Is that why the CABG won't help? I'd get a second opinion. Like you, I was otherwise fit with no serious symptoms and 68. Have a look online - some interesting alternative opinions. Here's a link to one example: phoenixheartcenter.com/100-...

[Nowel in reply to Beith]

They said as the artery is totally calcified they wouldn’t safely be able to attach the graft. Thanks

[fit4walks]

Hi Nowel,I'm sorry to hear about the results of your angiogram. I had a similar result with lad 100% blocked, 2 at 95-99% and 1 at 47-77%. I, on the otherhand, had bypass surgery, but one bypass has blocked again within the first half year. Am back on masses of medication to keep arteries expanded as much as possible. And beta blockers to keep heart rate down.

The decision for stent or bypasses is dependent on many factors like age, level of fitness, weight etc.

If I were in your shoes, I would go for a second opinion.

Take it one day at a time, start walking if you don't already do so, eat healthy, and wishing you good luck. We only have one heart and one life.....try to make the most of it.

J.

[richard_jw]

I had a STEMI a year ago. The right coronary artery was 100% occluded. They could not use a stent because of irregularly shaped Right coronary artery.

They did a balloon angioplasty, and overnight infusion to try to get rid of the clots. Following day they did another angioplasty and got some blood flow but still no stent.

I have been on drugs since then (clopidogrel rivaroxaban, aspirin) along with Bisoprolol.

They did an angiogram 1 month ago and found that all arteries were clear.

[richard_jw in reply to richard_jw]

Looking at the other posts, I would also seek a second opinion

[Fish4Info]

14.5 years ago I had something similar, and ended up with a CABG x 4 at 47. I've been fairly well since then. For severe blockages, CABG is the recommended procedure, unless there are contraindications (reasons for not doing it) such as physiology, co-morbid conditions or as fit4walks indicated, age, level of fitness, weight etc. 67 is a typical age for a CABG. The calcification may be an issue.

I'd ask your Drs to explain why CABG isn't an option, as it is supposed to bypass the occlusion (blockage) in the artery. Ask them to draw diagrams. Also ask them what treatment options you have and what that means in terms of outlook for the future.

Depending on the responses might determine whether you really need to seek a second opinion - or the current team can treat you. The regional heart hospitals are all very good - so it would be interesting to know where you are being treated, as this may affect your options for a second opinion.

A cursory Google suggests that on its own calcification may not affect the outcome of a CABG operation, see, e.g. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/248...