i had an angiogram 2 weeks ago after exhausting all other tests to find out why i have a mumur and LBBB. The result which they told me at the time was 80% blockage in LAD . I have just had a call from cardiolgist to say that after discussing my case a stent would be advisable ( they dont stent at local hospital ) so will refer me, i was then informed the waiting time for the procedure is 9 months ! That seems an awful long time .I was then told that i could go on a trial which might rush it through where i would go in as if having a stent the same procedure would take place but i may be one of the patients who didnt get stented but i wouldnt know has anybody else heard of this or been involved in such a trial ? I just dont know what to do . Thanks for any advice .
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Ada-eve
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To be honest I have never heard of it and do not like the sounds of it either even if it would speed things up but would it if you did not be one they did stent as you would not know ?
I think it sounds a really strange trial to be honest
Waiting times can be quite long however if they thought it needed doing quicker they would have you in and do it so they must think in my opinion you will be ok for 9 months and they no doubt will do it before
They will say that as the longest you could be waiting
I would ask if they could put you on a cancellation list if they have one as you would be prepared to go and have it done at short notice if one came up
morning BeKind28Thankyou so much for the reply ,I didnt have the best of sleep going over it in my mind, I am not really sure what is going to cause the most anxiety waiting all that time or wondering if i am the one who hasnt been stented, I have a follow up call next wednesday so will try and do some research xx
Sorry to hear you did not have a good nights sleep I can totally understand why I would be the same if I was given that decision to make
A good idea to do some research , you could maybe phone the Rehab Nurses on BHF and talk with them and your Doctor ?
For me and this is only personal choice I am the type of person that could not cope with the not knowing have I got a stent or not and not sure if you had any issues how your Doctor would be able to help if they did not know what you had or not had done , I wonder if they tell them ?
I am sure you will make the right decision for you even though a difficult one to make x
yep thats exactly how i feel the thought of not knowing if im the one without the stent and being given the best chance would cause me more anxiety then the wait for the real thing ! Good idea i will give the rehab nurses a ring x
It is just that when people have had stents and if they are getting a little pain , twinge etc they will come on here and others can relate and make them feel better or if people are on meds and no stents they can ask other members how they felt where as I would be thinking if I was not feeling right which do I ask and get advice about ?
I also would be thinking this is my heart here and I want the best for it and if they have said I needed a stent do I really want to experiment with going on medications instead if that is all that was needed then that is what they would have given me in the first place
Then I would have questions like what if I was on meds and getting side effects then what happens do they keep swapping my meds over and hoping they will not give me side effects
My list would go on and on
I know they need people to sometimes volunteer and I have great respect for those that do and maybe I am selfish but I just know the way my personality is I would not cope with the not knowing
Make some calls , talk with friends and family , maybe do a list of if you waited for a stent how would you feel what would be the negatives and what would be the positives of waiting and then a list if you did this other option the same and see which comes out on top
Sometimes writing it down can help us see things more clearly x
I think I am just going on my own experience if I were to be given the decision as I was told I would be safe on medications yet went on to have 3 heart attacks within 5 months and then a triple Bypass needed so my thinking now would be just do me a stent if needed or Bypass
Also a big part is the individual if they could psychology cope with not knowing which they had which has to be taken into account when deciding
But even with the facts it is a personal choice which you feel you would feel better with and for me I would cope better having a stent if needed
Perhaps related to this? Cons told me that current research is finding that meds are a rather better way of dealing with heart symptoms than stenting. What he is suggesting sounds as if it might be part of such a trial, where patients are randomise to either stents and meds or just meds. They won’t know which. I’m just guessing.
Hi Kristin1812Thanks for replying, He did name the trial which to be honest completely went over my head he did say it was nothing to do with pharmacuetical companies.Nobody would know if they were stented but you would go through the procedure like you had, my main concern is if you are told you need a stent because where the blockage is you could have a heart attack in the future and you are the one not stented how are you being given the best chance especially if meds alone are only treating the symptoms ie pain, Also i would take it you were no longer on the list for the real stent .These are my main concerns x
The Ischemia Trial was a study published a few years ago comparing the treatment of blocked coronary arteries and angina by surgery, stents or medication. It showed that medication alone can be effective as stents and surgery in reducing heart attacks and other heart events.
If the trial your Cardiologist is suggesting was unsafe or risky or giving sub optimal care it would not be given ethical approval to take place.
I suggest you keep an open mind, speak to the research team, ask all your questions and if you are unsure you can then decide whether you want to take part in the research.
Other important questions are, who is funding the research, BHF, National Institute of Healthcare Research (NIHR), Medical Research Council ( MRC)?
Which University is involved?
Read through the plan English summary of the research carefully.
You can also change your mind at any point. Giving your consent doesn't mean you can't withdraw from the study later.
Waiting, especially for a stent is horrible. They tell you htese figures but don't explain. After my HA and two stents I was told I had two 68% blockages in the LAD. Scared me to death but they just said it w asn't bad enough to stent . IT's taken me a long time to learn to live with it. I assume my medication is helping to stop it getting worse but if I get any worsening symptoms I will insist on tests. I just had an extra echo scan and all was ok. If they felt it was urgent, they'd do it but leaving it doesn't prevent the worry. Don't like the sound of that trial.
Hi Qualipop thanks for replying .Yes waiting is awful i know we see it in the news that lists are horrendeous but when its you and you feel its serious you just want it done now. Im really not sure about the trial so many questions but i am doing my research . x
My fiancé had his CT scan in April 2019 and went in for stents in September 2019 (so about 5 months, but this was longer then planned as they found an issue with his lung and had to investigate that first.) He had 2 blockages in his LAD and 1 elsewhere, all over 75% blocked and one approx 90%.
We were both scared as we sat and waited for the appointment, as he was having daily angina attacks and even with the GTN spray were struggling to control them.
We were told if his symptoms changed or worsened to go immediately to A&E - I would definitely imagine you would be encouraged to do the same.
No advice on the “trial” as I have no knowledge of it, but hope your waits not too long whatever you decide.
Hi Chickenlou Thankyou for replying , I also had a CT angiogram in november where i was told i would be informed if there was anything that needed attention , i heard nothing for 10 weeks then out of the blue had a call saying i needed an angiogram so was a bit shocked as thought all was ok ,so to hear i would now wait another 9 months unless i take part in the trial is quite daunting,yes i was told to go to A&E if any symptoms .Has you fiance symptoms improved and now living normally ? x
Hi Ada-Eve The waits at each stage are awful I agree (and I’m not the patient so appreciate they are much worse for those actually waiting for the treatment.)
My fiancé ended up needing a triple bypass in the end and unfortunately continues to have issues (although his angina has gone.) So we are back to waiting on referrals and appointments.
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