If anyone has information on alternatives to heart catheterization for
determining blocked arteries, please, if you will, e-mail me as soon as
possible.
In 1988 my father had open heart bypass surgery. Prior to this, during
the catheterization test (groin), he experienced a code blue when the
dye was injected.
He is now having symptoms of a blockage again, and his doctor wants to
do another catheterization. He doesn’t want to have this done again for
obvious reasons, but I’m afraid he’ll die, if he doesn’t get *some* kind
of treatment soon.
Are there any non-invasive imaging techniques currently available that
can accurately determine arterial blockages and their locations?
I’m looking for such services in the Louisville, Kentucky area.
Also, anyone who’s had an experience with laser angioplasty following a
previous open heart procedure, advice on what to expect would be
greatly appreciated.
Thanks.
Nicki
n…@ka.net
obviously you are concerned about a repeat of code blue. It is not clear
if your father had an allergic reaction or rythym disturbance that could
be remedied with medications or temporary pacemaker.
There is no good alternative to an angiogram, some centers have carbon
dioxide angiogram without dye in people with major allergies. with minor
allergies we could follow a standard protocol with steroids and other
medications to minimize the risk. years after bypass the grafts may
develope blockages which can be effectively treated with stents.
If your father is having symptoms angiogram is an excellent technique.
these days bypass surgery can be effectively repeated though most of the
times we can handle with atherectomy and stenting. Laser angioplasty alone
has no been shown to be any better than angioplasty with balloons and
stents. Trans myocardial laser surgery is a promosing new technique if all
else fails. Good luck nicki.