I had a cardiac catheterization which showed normal systolic function, tandem severe mid LAD lesions with severe Diagonal disease, small diseased Left Circumflex; and very distal branch vessel disease of large RCA. I am taking all recommended meds and cardiologist is recommending I consider PTCA of the LAD. Would the PTCA improve my quality and length of life? What is recuperation from PTCA like?
Hellothanks foe posting here. I have gone through your case history. Going by your description, you have triple vessel disease. Since the circumflex artery is small and diseased there is no need to stent it. Also since the RCA disease is quite distal there is no need to stent it. The LAD supplies blood to 60% of heart muscle. Since you have tandem lessons in mid-LAD, your cardiologist has advice to stent the LAD. ANGIOPLASTY has very good results. Since if It's done through a small puncture through your arm or the leg, the stay in the hospital is not more than 2-3 days, some doctors discharge the patient next day also. Also since your heart pumping function is preserved you have a very good prognosis. The quality of life is good, patients are usually mobilized on their own on the next day post angioplasty. After discharge the patient is asked to refrain from strenuous exercises for 4-6 days, after which they can go about their normal routine including running and jogging. The recuperation and future quality of life is very good. Please don't worry and go what with your angioplasty. Stents usually function well for minimum 10-12 years. However you must be very regular on your medications and do annual health check-ups. Thank you