heart cath

went for pacemaker check-up and ended up with a heart cath.
Could some of you SMART folks please enlighten me on this comment:
Tree Comment: mid body ectasia in left main:
Doctor side stepped when question what it meant. Said I should not worry about it!
Any help out there?
Thanks,
Cecil

4 Comments

All I can offer is...

by donr - 2013-10-19 09:10:02

...an article I read on line.

Here's the link:

http://www.hellenicjcardiol.com/archive/full_text/2010/2/2010_2_158.pdf.

The way I read your Cardio's comment & the Article, you have a small, short aneurysm in that coronary artery. Apparently the size of the one you have is not a serious problem, at least in the eyes of your cardio.

Now, as to his comment to you, I think if he writes something down, he owes you an explanation of what is going on.

Wish you the best.

Don

Should be monitored

by SaraTB - 2013-10-19 11:10:25

I don't know what the description means, but if Don's interpretation is correct, this is something that you should insist be monitored : my husband discovered, purely by chance during an ultrasound for something else, that he was developing an aneurism in his lower iliac artery, which is below the coronary artery.

The risks associated with this kind of aneurism are huge: if it burst, in such a location, we were told that your chances of survival are almost nil. It needs to be monitored in case it is growing, or grows later on.

My husband's was monitored for a year, with 6 monthly ultrasounds, and once it reached a specific size, - 3cm I think - he had a stent inserted, which cut off the supply of blood to the aneurism, not the artery. He is still monitored every 6 months, to ensure it is stable. Additionally, this has a high genetic element, and his son has already been told he should be checked once he is 45.

I don't want to frighten you unnecessarily, but I think you should insist this note be explained to you, and possibly be referred to a vascular surgeon to look at it more closely (if it is an aneurism).

My husband is an otherwise extremely healthy and fit person: he was told by his surgeon that he wouldn't have lasted the year, if it hadn't been found.

Ask questions!!!!!!

Swelling

by PacerRep - 2013-10-20 02:10:45

I posted this comment on your other post, I see you put it up twice, so I don't know which one your reading....

It just means that your Left Main artery is swollen or distended. Causing factors are endless. But some of them are your usual suspects when it comes to heart stuff....high BP, high cholesterol, over weight, diabetic, smoking...Mid Body just means where on the left main. That comment doesn't suggest any severity, but if he said not to worry then I'd go with that. Just eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Cath

by ItsmeWayne - 2013-10-20 03:10:56

Hi, The surgery most likely fixed a clogged/ swollen/ or needing stent in an artery. Once fixed, it is all that is needed to be done. (for now)
With that said, your doctor is an idiot, if he did not explain what was done to you! It is always serious, when you have work on your arteries!
You must stay proactive and informed, when your health is at stake!
Itsme Wayne

You know you're wired when...

You have a maintenance schedule just like your car.

Member Quotes

I had a pacemaker when I was 11. I never once thought I wasn't a 'normal kid' nor was I ever treated differently because of it. I could do everything all my friends were doing; I just happened to have a battery attached to my heart to help it work.