Angioplasty not angiogram?

[Jako999]

Hi all, as you probably know it looks like two of my bypasses have failed only 8 months after having 4 done😩. I’ve been under investigation and I was told last week they were getting me in quickly for an angiogram then decide the next step? Today I’ve had a letter saying I’m in on the 3rd March for an angioplasty, but the thing is we haven’t discussed this and it’s not really what I want. I know there is still some investigation work to do but if these have failed then I know that if they stent them it may work but they will soon collapse again outside the stent, they may last 5 years but I doubt it. The way I see it is I haven’t recovered from the last surgery and I’m still having therapy for the mental side of it all, surly it would be far better and less stressful in the long run just to do the inevitable and replace them now. I know it means being opened up again and so on but I just feel it will extend my recovery by 3 to 4 months but at least it would all be done and over, where as with stents I know my mind will just go round and round, waiting for them to fail and I’m going to have to go through it all again including the mental side in a few years time.

I know we don’t have all the answers yet but it seems a decision has already been made and not the one I really want, I will speak to them about it obviously but I know they will try and get me to come round to their way of thinking.

Thanks Martin

[devonian186]

As I wrote previously I am very disappointed for you as we had the same operation at much the same time. What were the symptoms that things were going wrong, as obviously we all get aches pains and twinges and it would be useful to know what are just after effects and what might be indicative of something more serious. Thanks

I don't know if angioplasty is the best option or the least worst. I wouldn't want to go through the same thing again but if it would likely give a permanent solution rather than just an ok one I would need to have a deep think. This mental aspect is very important so I guess a list of pros and cons is something you will have already done and the best way forward-if it is medically suitable-is redoing the heart work

[Jako999 in reply to devonian186]

I’ve had chest discomfort on an off since day one after after my CABG but obviously a lot was down to the surgery. I have found that at rest over the past 4 months I have been getting chest pains or jaw pain but over the past 6 weeks it’s got more often and now if I walk up an incline for say a quarter of a mile the left side of my face goes numb and as you continue my jaw starts to ache then my left shoulder and finally if I keep going my chest. I’m going to post at some point about the journey, what to look for and what can go wrong.

Thanks

[devonian186 in reply to Jako999]

Hi Jako

So some very distinct signs of substantial problems far removed from the normal tweaks and twinges. . You are right, the veins are less important than the heart as you only have one of those. You will let us all know how you get on with your 3rd March appointment?

With best wishes for a quick and permanent resolution

[devonian186]

Just looked at your age. You would want something to last 30 years or more, so in the great scheme of things if it were possible to redo the original operation another 4 or 5 months of operation and recovery is not a significant part of the rest of your life. Where would they take the veins from and what effect would their removal have on your general ongoing health?

[Jako999 in reply to devonian186]

Hi you have the vein’s in the other leg and they can use the arteries out of both arms. The way I look at it is take what you want my heart is more important.

[devonian186]

This is a very tricky one. If stents had been the correct solution surely they would have done that in the first place rather than a bypass? If stents are carried out will they say job done and put Jako to the back of the queue for any other procedure that might be better in the long term?

[devonian186]

Yes, I am curious to know what they use for arteries if they do decide it needs a redo. However your scenario is very plausible and a bit of stenting might well resolve the problem. I hope Jako turns up as I would like to know his symptoms that caused him to realise everything was not as he had hoped.

Good luck with your race. So the attempt to nobble you by the GP wanting to see you didn't work?

[Handel]

😂😂!! xxx

[devonian186]

I think you just wanted to boast that you were seeing a GP!

[Babyelephant-]

My husband had a quadruple bypass last July after 3 months in hospital. All was brilliant until October when he had chest tightness. Long story short, he’s possibly got blockages already in the new grafts (we’re waiting for results from a stress mri). All the consultants and nurses have told him that it’s possible to do the operation again but they try to use the least invasive method to solve the problems. The more they interfere the higher the risk of complications such as stroke etc. My husband is 52. He’s actually doing really well on medication and has had no more symptoms since he came home from hospital in November.

[RegularWalker]

Jaco, Angioplasty is not so invasive as you seem to think. Mine was done at age 72, the investigation and stenting took an hour and I went home the same day. It may be that when they see inside your heart in the way that can only be done in the angioplasty room, they may decide that stents are not the best treatment for you. The only recovery needed is at the point of entry, either your thigh or your wrist. I didn't feel a thing apart from the local anaesthetic in my wrist and I watched the procedure on the screen, sedated but awake. You should seek an appointment to discuss it with a nurse or doctor and that should allay your fears.

[Philry]

It's your body, and if you're unsure, are not ready for surgery, or have further questions that need answering, then it is your right to put things on hold.

If you've been getting counselling to deal with the initial trauma of the first operation, then they could provide a letter to say that you're not emotionally ready for another operation just yet.

Don't let consultants railroad you into something that you don't want just yet, and email your concerns and questions.

If you are concerned that the operation may fail, ask the consultant for details of the success rates versus failure rates and how long the procedures are likely to be successful for.

They'll be more cautious when they have to commit anything on paper that could be used against you.

It's your body and your choice. Don't be forced into anything that you're not sure of.

I hope all goes well.

Regards

Phil

[QuadroVEINia]

Hi,

Maybe my experience may give you another perspective. I’ll give you the short version but rest assured I went through all the options carefully. We are near enough same age. I had quad bypass in Nov 2020 and soon after 3 vein grafts failed, only LIMA graft is patent. I had an Angioplasty soon after to improve flow, but not in the failed grafts, they remain collapsed. This has helped, and I am on new meds, and being monitored and managed by cardiac team. It’s not perfect, but being reopened soon after a bypass is not an option to be treated lightly, there is a lot of risk involved. I’m reconciled with my situation… for now.

Happy to chat further if you want to PM me.