tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post7890864855258377661..comments2024-03-01T04:58:03.785-05:00Comments on Doctor Anonymous: Heart stent unnecessary? MaybeDr. Ahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05207266669522973903noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-15323557015687909322007-03-29T17:42:00.000-04:002007-03-29T17:42:00.000-04:00Thank you for trying to answer that. After I post...Thank you for trying to answer that. After I posted it, I was a little nervous someone would say what a moronic question that is.<BR/><BR/>I am aware of cases where there have been more than 1 stent placed, and the percentage of occlusion was up there, 75-80+, I can't remember the exact numbers now, anyway, I wondered at what point do you opt for bypass surgery over stenting? Thanks again for trying though. I appreciate it.Chrysalis https://www.blogger.com/profile/00757696627388704079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-50467238736256885372007-03-28T22:10:00.000-04:002007-03-28T22:10:00.000-04:00Of course, I'm no cardiologist but, from what I un...Of course, I'm no cardiologist but, from what I understand, they look at the percentage of blockage (like 90-100% blockage) and the number of coronary arteries blocked to determine if bypass surgery is indicated. For a stent, it's usually one vessel that doesn't have complete blockage. If I'm wrong on this, I know people will be quick to correct me :)Dr. Ahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05207266669522973903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-9987628588777999862007-03-28T21:06:00.000-04:002007-03-28T21:06:00.000-04:00Forgive me if I'm about to ask something that you'...Forgive me if I'm about to ask something that you'd rather not answer, but I am curious. What criteria does the patient have to fit into become a candidate for bypass surgery, as opposed to stent placement - to open the blockages found on angioplasty?Chrysalis https://www.blogger.com/profile/00757696627388704079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-72354176570275548122007-03-28T09:10:00.000-04:002007-03-28T09:10:00.000-04:00A lot has come in the press today.I quote some ......A lot has come in the press today.I quote some ....<BR/>1]Stents do save lives when implanted DURING OR SHORTLY AFTER a heart attack<BR/>2]A majority who receive stents had a relatively stable form of CAD and these were the ones studied recently.In Steven E Nissen's words "It's very intuitive that fixing the narrowing with a stent will yield important long-term benefits,but IT DIDN'T.<BR/>3]Stenting is recommended in an attack and those who have no increase in blood flow by drugs or rest.The debate here is not whether to use stents in addition to drugs but whether stents are used in too many seriously ill patients who might live longer with bypass <BR/>surgery.<BR/>4] David E Kandzari of Johnson and Johnson..."Modern drugs slowed the progress of CAD but stenting was superior at relieving symptoms so both should be available."<BR/>5] Donald S Baim of Boston Scientific..."loss of symptom relief advantage of stents over time was because the trial ended in 2004 when only 3% had recieved drug coated stents.Also one third of the group studied were on drugs treatment ended with recieving stents or a bypass as their symptoms worsened.Most would have been symptom free after 5 years because of stents but still would have been counted in the drug group."<BR/>5]Naresh Trehan of the Escort Heart Inst. and Research Centre.India....<BR/>"Each form of treatment has its own role.Patients having 40-50 per cent blockages can be successfully managed with medicines.Short localised blocks not at the opening of arteries,a stent would work and multiple blocks with Diabetes then a bypass is required.However there is an overuse of stents worldwide as stent companies have corrupted the system.Many Doctors have misled the patients.Educate the patient and get a second opinion."Ajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09256489139257111653noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-70565040046689126342007-03-27T16:32:00.000-04:002007-03-27T16:32:00.000-04:00I'm glad you clarified - not having an active hear...I'm glad you clarified - not having an active heart attack.<BR/><BR/>The way the pain of a heart attack was described to me, it was likened to a golf ball sitting on the middle of your chest, and a huge man is standing on top of that golf ball. They said they would have done ANYTHING to stop the pain, stent, cut out their heart, anything...Chrysalis https://www.blogger.com/profile/00757696627388704079noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-20008606177897985772007-03-27T16:16:00.000-04:002007-03-27T16:16:00.000-04:00Amazing how two little words like "Medically stabl...Amazing how two little words like "Medically stable" give the report a whole different slant. Media, as you know, is a tricky business.Dr. Debhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06340730498047128203noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-74098204241514475092007-03-27T15:55:00.000-04:002007-03-27T15:55:00.000-04:00I have bare metal stent in my left carotid(carotid...I have bare metal stent in my left carotid(carotid endarterectomy.),it was surgical place their,everything is holding up,so far.It's my right branch of the carotid,it could not be fix,which caused my stoke. Robertcoaster1roberthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02145111226923263829noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-87912260217483394112007-03-27T15:10:00.000-04:002007-03-27T15:10:00.000-04:00Never to be at a loss of words... ;)Never to be at a loss of <A HREF="http://drwes.blogspot.com/2007/03/no-stent-itll-take-courage.html" REL="nofollow">words</A>... ;)DrWeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17438019699222125477noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29955732.post-27777965201300694642007-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:002007-03-27T07:00:00.000-04:00Our doctor asked my husband if he was still taking...Our doctor asked my husband if he was still taking a certain med given him after heart surgery for arrhythmia; I said, "No, I told the heart doc to take him off that; I read bad things about it on the Internet."<BR/><BR/>"OHHHHH, the INTERNET," answered Doc D. I think he must hear that more often than he'd like to.Donna. Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393352099473686196noreply@blogger.com