100% blockages in artery. Is it operatable or not?

[kalex]

Hi,
    My father got a massive heart attack 5 years back. And has undergone angioplasty. There were 3 blocks in total.
    First one was 100%, second 60% and third 40%. 60% block is cleared using stent and 40% using balloon.
    However, 100% block is still present. Please suggest me some way to get rid of it. Is this block fatal if yes,
    howmuch.

[kenkeith]

Five years ago, it was disclosed I had 98% blockage of the RCA (stented), 72% circumflex blockage (treated with medication), and 100% blockage of the LAD.  The LAD had grown collateral vessels and developed a natural bypass.  My condition is successfully treated with medication.  No problems with a deficit of blood distal to the LAD blockage.  I do take a nitrate prior to a aerobic workout (4 mph for 30 minutes 3 times a week).  

My cardiologist has recommended EECP and it is suggested that I would not need a nitrate with the EECP treatment as more collateral vessels would develop.

Sometimes, a completely blocked vessel can be opened with interventional procedures.  It depends on the location, length, etc.  If you father has a completely blocked vessel, there may be a natural bypass and blood is getting into the deficit area without any medical intervention required..

[Encephalomalcia]

Depends on which one is blocked?  Main right, left or center? Is he on blood thinners?  What are the doctors saying?

[kenkeith]

Hi Kenkeith, Thanks a lot for your message on my need. U mentioned in the community comment that u've being recommned for EECP. Can u Please elaborate on that. My father 100% block is still there and doctors said that now since the blood flow through heart is quite good, there is no need to touch 100 % block coz its 100% risk as well. My dad is on normal medication like High blood pressure control, Cholestrol control and good immunity system thats all. Theres no special medicine for artery blockage as such. Hope u will reply.

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Kalex,

EECP is a new modality in ischemic heart failure. The procedure is Enhanced External Counterpulsation for angina with pressure cuffs that inflate and deflate at specific times between heart beats.  Timing with EKG is to inflate cuffs while heart is at rest, when it normally gets its supply of blood and oxygen.  The cuffs deflate at the end of that rest period, just befor the next heart beat.

Approximately 80% of patients who complete the 35-hour course of EECP therapy experience significant symptom relief that lasts up to 3 years. My Humana health  insurance policy covers the expense as does Medicare.

My doctor stated EECP could be beneficial to increase the natural bypass with collateral vessels.  This is a process in which small (normally closed) arteries open up and connect two larger arteries or different parts of the same artery. They can serve as alternate routes of blood supply.

Everyone has collateral vessels, at least in microscopic form. These vessels normally aren't open. However, they grow and enlarge in some people with coronary heart disease or other blood vessel disease (such as in the case of stroke). While everyone has collateral vessels, they don't open in all people.

As state in my other post my LAD is completely 100% blocked (proximal end, just below the circumflex bifurcation, fortunately collateral vessels had developed over the years.  Your father probably has collateral vessel development over the years that overcomes the completely blocked artery.