What is no-reflow - LAD?

[KLP2000]

My 76 y/o dad just underwent a catheterization today where he received 4 stents. He's always made it his hobby to stay healthy and eat right, since we have heart disease in the family. However about two years ago he was diagnosed with A-fib and had an ablation (sp?) which worked for about a year, but found himself back in A-fib.  

Anyway, he was looking forward to feeling well enough to get back out on the golf course this week.  However, apparently, some plaque loosened and caused "no-reflow - LAD", which my shell-shocked mom attempted to explain to me after receiving a brief explanation from the Doc, along with a sketchy drawing and some notes.  She said nothing could be done.

Googling this is just scaring me.   Can anyone explain what this phenomenon is and what the prognosis/treatment might be?   It seems serious, and I'm quite frightened.  Plain talk is what I need right now.  Thanks in advance!

[kenkeith]

A LAD totally blocked would not supply blood to an area, and if collaterals vessels don't grow to compensate (natural bypass), that area fed by the LAD would be ischemic (lack of blood supply) and there would be heart cell damage. There would be no perfusion to the area in question

[KLP2000]

Thanks for your explanation in real words, it's much appreciated.  Another question - would no-reflow of LAD be the same as 100% blockage of LAD?  

[kenkeith]

No-reflow phenomenon is the absence of myocardial (heart muscle) perfusion (blood flow)despite adequate dilatation (dilated vessels) of the infarct (damaged heart cells) related coronary artery during percutaneous coronary intervention (cath) . It predicts severe left ventricular dysfunction (heart pumping chamber) and poor prognosis in acute myocardial in-farction (AMI) (having a heart attack).  Worst case scenario