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Had A Carotid Artery Stent Placed. Now Showing Blockage. Safe Remedy?
Brief Answer:
A deep evaluation of father's health is needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It's great to hear that your father's carotid stent was working well for 8 years. Although its great work, unfortunately, stent carries its own risks including re-stenosis, stroke or blockage.
Therefore, your father's need to re-evaluate the current stent condition if it is blocked or is causing further damages through several exams including angiography.
With regards to stent replacement, first, you must ensure that this procedure won't cause future harms to your father.
Furthermore, there are many factors like age of your father, hardening of carotid arteries, the existence of significant atherosclerotic plaque in the carotids, kidney function, etc., that should be taken into account before deciding for a possible replacement of the stent.
You can talk to his cardiologist and/or surgeon for the best option for your father. No one can give an answering without evaluating deeper the health condition of your father.
Hope the best for you and your father!
A deep evaluation of father's health is needed...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
It's great to hear that your father's carotid stent was working well for 8 years. Although its great work, unfortunately, stent carries its own risks including re-stenosis, stroke or blockage.
Therefore, your father's need to re-evaluate the current stent condition if it is blocked or is causing further damages through several exams including angiography.
With regards to stent replacement, first, you must ensure that this procedure won't cause future harms to your father.
Furthermore, there are many factors like age of your father, hardening of carotid arteries, the existence of significant atherosclerotic plaque in the carotids, kidney function, etc., that should be taken into account before deciding for a possible replacement of the stent.
You can talk to his cardiologist and/or surgeon for the best option for your father. No one can give an answering without evaluating deeper the health condition of your father.
Hope the best for you and your father!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
What are other options other than replacement of the stent that the doctor might suggest?
Brief Answer:
Please follow the suggestions below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The alternatives depends on the current status of carotid artery and stent.
If the surgeons would see that the stent is blocked, but can still work to keep the artery open, they can replace it.
In some other cases, when the surgeons would notice that the carotid artery is too hardened for the another stent to take place, then, they can decide whether to remove the actual stent and to do the carotid endarterectomy (the open surgery to remove the hard part of carotid tissue).
So, as you may see it is a very specific decision which can only be taken after the physical and topical (angiographic) evaluation of carotids together with an integral evaluation of the general health status of your dad.
In addition, lifestyle and diet changes are also strongly suggested together with medications against high cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood thinners (anticoagulants).
Hope it answered to your inquiry!
Please follow the suggestions below...
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
The alternatives depends on the current status of carotid artery and stent.
If the surgeons would see that the stent is blocked, but can still work to keep the artery open, they can replace it.
In some other cases, when the surgeons would notice that the carotid artery is too hardened for the another stent to take place, then, they can decide whether to remove the actual stent and to do the carotid endarterectomy (the open surgery to remove the hard part of carotid tissue).
So, as you may see it is a very specific decision which can only be taken after the physical and topical (angiographic) evaluation of carotids together with an integral evaluation of the general health status of your dad.
In addition, lifestyle and diet changes are also strongly suggested together with medications against high cholesterol, high blood pressure and blood thinners (anticoagulants).
Hope it answered to your inquiry!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vaishalee Punj
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