Clogged Arteries

[Chrome806]

My Father has two of his main arteries 100% blocked. He is a alcoholic and has multiple cyst on his esophagus with a poor liver. Dr say it is too dangerous to try to put a stent or do a bypass. He has been on medication but nothing has helped. I didn't want to ask in front of the doctors but what is the life expectancy left for him?

[achillea]

While it is true that cirrhosis of the liver can be arrested (if the alcoholic has quit drinking completely and stays sober ever after), the truth is that what is called "end-stage cirrhosis" cannot be reversed. There is too little healthy tissue left to regenerate.  The doctor described your father's liver condition as 'poor,' which implies that it's in bad shape, but you could privately ask the doctor if 'end-stage' disease is what is going on.

The biggest reason that heart surgery--or any surgery--is dangerous for alcoholics is that a damaged liver cannot make clotting factors properly anymore.  As a result, cutting into these patients anywhere causes extensive bleeding that cannot be controlled.  Their blood simply can't clot anymore.

In fact, alas, if the 'cysts' in your father's esophagus are really 'varices' (which is usually the case in advanced alcoholism), it means they are really varicose blood vessels, and these have a tendency to bleed heavily without anything at all being done.

You can google 'esophageal varices' and end-stage cirrhosis/end-stage alcoholism' for more information, though it would certainly be better to have a heart-to-heart with your father's doctor.

I am so sorry.  I wish there were something more hopeful to say.

[ed34]

Believe me, if he has 2 main coronary arteries 100% blocked then there is more at work because he certainly would not be alive now. His heart has obviously opened up some collateral vessels (natural bypasses). Do you have any other information such as the EF of his heart? There is a good chance his liver will recover IF enough of it is good viable tissue.