Stenting my left Circumflex artery was unsuccessful

[kyoom]

They were unable to stent my left circumflex artery via angioplasty 2 days ago.

They would like to retry to drill out the plaque and then try stenting. How safe is this procedure?

[Heather1957]

6 weeks ago I had that procedure into my Right artery, I didn't have time to think about it as they did it then and there, I was about 2 - 2 1/2 hrs. They obviously intended just to insert the stents (2) but they then told me they needed to drill.

They had to insert a bigger catheter into my wrist as the drill has to be inserted and personally I found it uncomfortable. They did give me loads of pain killer though. Obviously you can hear the drill.

The staff were brilliant and even though I found it uncomfortable I also thought how fabulous they could do this.

I know other people didn't have any problems at all so it varies.

As far as being safe, well I am still here LOL and having researched it after having it done discovered it is very safe. Just think years ago the only option was a bypass so this is much less invasive and you recover much quicker.

No driving for a week and you need to take it easy for a couple of weeks but I no longer have angina pain.

4 years ago I had a bypass operation so this was a lot less invasive. As frightening as any procedure involving the heart is, I just think these cardiac teams are miracle workers who keep us alive.

[kyoom in reply to Heather1957]

Hi Heather,Thank you very much for you quick reply.

Your experience with this procedure was very reassuring.

I hope they will be able to drill through the plaque without much trouble.

I will keep you posted.

Have a Happy Holidays. Best wishes to you.

Kyoom

[Prada47 in reply to kyoom]

Hello

This procedure does have some Risk attached to it, but the Risk v Reward calculation will have been carried out by the Cardiologist. All messing with plaque in the Heart has Risk albeit a very small risk.

I am going for a stress MRI to see if the Risk v Reward scenario has changed to see if it is worth clearing a 100% blocked Right Coronary Artery. The reason for another look is I have Angina which has only just returned 1st time since 2018 , after having my bypassed LAD re stented it went away !!

My cardiologist when writing to my GP said "We know this Gentleman has Complex Coronary Anatomy "

So I am prepared to Risk having the RCA cleared but again another but ,only if the Cardiologist feels the Risk V Reward has above 60% chance of success.

Speak to the Team re Risk v Reward

All the Best on your Journey

[kyoom in reply to Prada47]

Thank you very much for your reply to my question.I also had a double CABG 31 years ago .Everything was great until 2016 when i had another non STEMI and had to have 2 stents inserted in my RCA.Recently, they have found some blockages in my left circumflex arteries. These are the ones that they have to drill out and then try to stent them. I am waiting for a date hopefully soon.

they just tried to open them up on November 24th2021 but it requires a different approach. Hence the reason for the second try.

I will keep you posted.

Seasons greeting to all and Happy Holidays.

[Dralex]

I had my coronary arteries drilled out approx 14 months ago (it's medical term is rotablation). Like you, they tried to open up my arteries with a balloon, but this proved impossible, so they had to try a different approach. Bypass grafts were considered, but I was assured rotablation was the way to go.

It was quite a strange experience ( you are wide awake as with angioplasty), but it is very, very effective. It made the implanting of 5 stents possible in my case, and after another recent angiogram, my consultant confirmed everything is now in perfectly good working order.

The guys that perform this procedure are extremely talented and capable; I'm sure you will be just fine.........

[kyoom in reply to Dralex]

Thank you very much for your confirmation of this procedure.I hope it will work this time. How long was the wait period between the first Angiogram attempt and the rotablation?

[Dralex in reply to kyoom]

I had my first angiogram towards the end of July 2020. My consultant was pressing to get me in again during the first week of September, but this of course was peak pandemic time, and there are limited hospitals that are suitably equipped to perform this procedure. Finally I was admitted to St Thomas' on 1st October where I was successfully treated. One day later I was sent home feeling surprisingly well!