I am having a drilling of the artery as it is blocked. What can I expect please?

[ocnnll]

So I have had 2 angiograms and one stent. My symptoms are much better but still there a bit. It's due to a total blockage of a small artery. Luckily my heart is fine and no real damage has been done. If I am honest I didn't like the angiogram procedure and this apparently needs two wires in each arm one for for stent one for the drill. Was just wondering if anyone had it done and are there any tips etc. Thanks in advance 😊

[Heather1957]

On the 22nd October I thought I was going for an angiogram and then, if needed, stents fitted. During the angiogram it was decided I needed 2 long stents fitted but I also needed a procedure called rotablation which is the drilling of an artery due to the calcification. They went through one large catheter (through the wrist) I did not have any other wires inserted.

It was unpleasant but they did pump pain killers and relaxants through the cannular which is fitted prior to the procedure.

I was in a lot of discomfort for a few days (released after 1 night's stay) and needed pain killers on and off for a week but am now 95% pain free.

I have an appointment to see the cardiac nurse next Tuesday so hopefully she will tell me more about what has gone on and where the stents have been fitted.

I had no pre warning of the drilling so no time to get concerned, they said I needed it so as far as I was concerned they had to do it, but as I said they went in through one incision into the wrist.

[ocnnll in reply to Heather1957]

That's great thanks you. Glad your better. So they have told me it will be a catheter in both arms and its a horrible feeling having one but as I have a 4 year old granddaughter I have to get it done. I'm so glad to hear it has worked for you. Thanks again

[Heather1957 in reply to ocnnll]

I'll be very interested to know why you need 2 catheters as I have researched it since having it done and can't see a mention of that.I have no grandchildren but I have to trust the medical experts as I am not ready to go yet.

[ocnnll in reply to Heather1957]

I was told I need two consultants one on each arm. I will let you know how it goes 😌

[Harefieldfan in reply to Heather1957]

I had that in November. It’s fine. You hear the drill but you don’t feel it. The surgeon injected morphine through the catheter to stop any pain. And I had sedation. Ask for sedation to calm you. They went in through my groin — the bruise afterwards was amazing, but really, it should be ok. They kept me in overnight and I went home the next day.

[Heather1957 in reply to Harefieldfan]

My experience was very different as it was the most horrific thing I have been through although I believe I am the exception rather than the rule.I too had a sedative fed through the Cannula in the back of my hand but I was in extreme discomfort.

I was 2 1/2 hrs in the lab and was kept in recovery for hours, the ECG was showing some anomalies so I was taken back to the lab with a senior cardiologist and had a further angiogram but luckily it all looked clear.

I really don't want to frighten anyone as I said I was the exception but I was very distressed during the process and I would say my pain threshold is quite high but this knocked me for 6!

However I have been brought up properly and thanked them all when I was wheeled out and hoped I wouldn't see any of them again!!

[Harefieldfan in reply to Heather1957]

I had to wait 6 months for the procedure. Two balloon angioplasties failed because they couldn’t get past the calcium. I had the rotablation at Harefield with a wonderful surgeon. I’d had lots of time to research it and it seemed to make sense — if you can’t get a screw in a wall, you drill it. I was scared but I’d been waiting so long that I just wanted it done. I imagine it’s worked; they don’t seem to check up and I have no idea how I’d know if more calcium is forming anywhere. Now I’m having cardiac rehab which, unfortunately, is just delivered over the phone because of Covid. I would so love to see a real person to find out if I’m doing things right, if my heart is all right for that matter.

[humph3]

I had a complete blockage in the LAD artery and was told that I needed 2 stents 1 inserted in left arm and 1 inserted in right arm. The operation was carried out by a surgeon at each arm and located in unison at the same time. This was a new procedure carried out at Papworth. I am 4 years post op and doing well (with the help of high dose vit C)

[ocnnll in reply to humph3]

Great thanks mate appreciate it

[Prada47]

Hello I was told if they open my RCA it will be via Right Arm and Right Thigh with a cardiologist doing each one !!! Also there will be another person watching and advising I don't know if the other person will be a Cardiologist or a Radiology Specialist. I think this is starting to become an accepted way of opening quite complicated blockages !! I wonder if this is a much cheaper and less riskier procedure than OHS and a better procedure.

Regards

[AFC98]

I had the same procedure at Papworth earlier this year as I had a total blockage of the LAD and suffered from Angina (I am 58).

The team were absolutely brilliant and now I feel stronger and fitter than I have for probably a decade - to quote another member ‘it’s like having a new V8 fitted in my chest’.

My advice would be to think of the benefits, a far better quality of life and no more scary chest pains.

Trust me, as soon as the sedative takes effect you will feel calm and relaxed about what they are doing and in no time you will be back on the ward.

Feel proud of yourself for being brave and enjoy the new you.

Best wishes.

[ocnnll in reply to AFC98]

Thanks so much for this mate

[Hidden]

I’ve had it done just before lockdown Rotablation and Stents, 2 hours on the table and 3 weeks later another 2 hours. It was done in a couple of sessions as my Dr and myself were tired, I didn’t feel any pain and my Wife said my breathing improved when asleep that night. Up to now fingers crossed I feel so much better, good luck.

[ocnnll in reply to Hidden]

Thanks mate 👍

[Heather1957 in reply to Hidden]

That is so interesting, I was 'on the table' for 2 1/2 hrs and had the 2 stents done at the same time although I did have to go back down for a 2nd angiogram the same afternoon as my ECG showed a problem that turned out to be nothing.It seems that people do have different experiences this site is full of useful information.

[ocnnll in reply to Heather1957]

It really is wonderful. My anxiety levels have just dropped. I thought I was the only one ❤👍