Atherectomy

[Fredxxx]

Two months ago I posted about the decision to have a bypass when suffering from HF. I had major blockages in all three arteries which could not be stented normally. The cardiologists made the decision for me on the basis that a CABG was too risky for me.. They suggested an Atherectomy on the main artery which was 100% blocked along most of its length. I had the procedure 2 weeks ago. I was aware of this procedure, but I was under the impression that it was used for blockages in peripheral arteries such as the legs. I does seem to be an option for coronary arteries as well. The procedure was carried out in the Cath Lab and took about 3 hours, without sedation of any sort. The best way to describe it is that it's like having a tiny Tunnel Boring Machine inserted into the groin. A diamond coated burr running at 200000 rpm chews its way through the blockage. The debris is so tiny that it just gets absorbed in the blood. After the artery was cleared, three overlapping stents were fitted. The procedure was giving my heart some stress so they then inserted a ventricular assist device. This is a catheter running from my ankle to my heart with a high speed pump at each end. This pumps extra blood into the heart to ease the effort that the heart needs to make. It is powered by over the air technology meaning it does not need to be connected to an external power supply. I was admitted to ICU for 4 days to be monitored and the pump was removed after 2 days when the heart scans said it had got back to normal (or at least to where it was when they started.) 4 days later I went home. I am recovering OK but the cardiologist said it may take 3 months or so for the increased blood flow to the heart to have the effect of improving my EF which is currently 40%. It does not seem to be a common procedure as it is very expensive. The pump alone, which cannot be reused is €25000. I hope this information may be of use to someone considering the options to a bypass because of severe arterial blockage.

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Thank you for a very interesting post. I do now wonder if it would have saved my leg as angioplasty failed totally. But then maybe if it had been tried earlier....

Oh well, it has happened now so no point on dwelling it!

Wishing you a speedy and successful recovery! 👍

[Hidden]

Hi Fred, really nice reading about what you wrote, it helps when you think that there is no way forward to read about people like you, and what you had done, really great, l have taken note of all you said, and may ask my doctor about it, as l have three arteries blocked, and they cannot do stents, and due to my lings being a bit weak they wont operate, so may be worth checking it out, thank you very much, kind regards Lind111 xxx

[rockingrandpa]

I hadn't realised this technology was available sounds very interesting hope you continue to do well good luck for the future

[Hidden]

I’m in awe of what can be done. That’s incredible when you think about. Wishing you a speedy recovery x

[MountainGoat52]

Wow! That's amazing. Thanks for telling us about this procedure. I found it fascinating.

I hope all goes well with your recovery and you start to see a significant imovement in your health. When I had stents inserted in my RCA, the effect was more or less immediate. I lost 6kg in weight in a week because of the improvement in my metabolic rate.

Kind regards,

Gerald