48 yr old male 3x bypass 6 weeks ago. nuclear stress test 1 week ago showed restricted blood flow. Angiogram done. One of the grafts has backed up blood which is restricting flow. Doc said may get better with exercise or stent the original blocked artery which is a 5 yr old stent on right side that is 90% blocked. Unsure what to do grafts on left side are doing great. What do u think Bill S.
A nuclear stress test is about 85% accurate in finding CAD whereas a angiogram is 100% accurate. The angiogram also carries a 1 - 3% risk of complications, the most common risk, although very rare, is having an artery dissected during the procedure which results in emergency bypass surgery. Having said that, if I was told I needed one I would do it without hesitation. It is the gold standard of heart tests to determine if CAD is present.
The only true test, which is a procedure, is the angiogram. My mom had the nuclear stress test and was told that it was not bad and a few months later she was totally plugged in two main arteries and about 99 percent plugged in the other. Have you had an echocardiogram yet? An echocardiogram can check the heart valves.
What test determined your EF factor? An Echo and stress test is pretty accurate, but a stress test is just an approximation. You will know a lot more about your heart health after the procedure, they will determine your EF factor during the Angiogram. Your heart arteries will be mapped, any abnormalities noted.
I have advanced CAD, and have for close to fifteen years. I wasn't very careful with my health until fifteen years ago.
If the angiogram is not with a cath (invasive), what is going to be the procedure if the non-invasive test is positive?...it would require an invasive procedure. But if your mother's symptoms can be successfully treated with medication, there may not be a need for any procedure. I have blockages of coronary vessels (LAD completely blocked and another 72% blocked), I have been successfully treated for the past 6 years and no chest pain, etc.
My mother is suggested to undergo angiogram test since her test reports showed that she has "a small calcified nodule attached to PML tip prolapsing into LV". How complex is this issue? do i need to go through this angiogram test. what could be the results of this test and whats the next procedue for this?
The procedure is not entirely risk free. In the right hands, it is a reasonably safe procedure, and is surprisingly easy to get through. Moreover, the benefit is usually finding out whether you need more work or not, something you no doubt need to do, and something which would normally easily justify the risks. When I did it, the doctor played music and cracked jokes. Didn't feel a thing. Bring a friend or family member for sure. Also, choose your doctor wisely.
I'm having a CT angiogram Thursday. It avoids an interventional procedure that has some risk. X-ray exposture presents some risk for cancer, but my non-interventional cardiologist feels a CT angiogram is sufficient and I'm not disputing his recommendation. I had a cath angiogram and a stent 4 years ago, there was no problem as I was in a hospital setting for 3-4 days. However, some people experience a bleeding problem at the site of the cath insertion and pain that lasts several days.
Vessel occlusion can be identified by a CT angiogram or the invasive procedure by a cath angiogram. Neither test has 100% sensitivity rating, but quite good. Also an EKG can indicate ischemia (lack of blood flow to the heart) that may be due to a vessel blockage.
Usually, the tests aren't given unless there is chest pain, shortness of breath, etc., but if there is a family history of CAD and heart problems the testing for plague occluding vessels may be appropriate.
You better check with your doctors, I am not sure about the potential damage due to the radiation dose that you will take during the procedure.
Also if they discover blockages in your coronaries, I do not know about the risk of the medication that you will need.
I had one in 2003 because I had a false positive on another test -- maybe the chemical stress test. I did have afib, and they wanted to rule out any underlying heart disease. I was told recently that they probably wouldn't do that now.
If you don't have symptoms of a blockage, I wonder why they are ordering it. There is a calcium CT scan that can spot blockages that is not invasive. Maybe a 2nd opinion is in order. That said, I'm just passing on things I've read or heard.
My partner is having an angiogram after suffering chest pains a few weeks ago. NAD was found at the time from blood tests and ECG (done over 18 hours). Was kept in overnight. Had no discomfort since, but suffers from type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol which are all controlled and low due to medication.
His chest pains were 4 weeks ago and he's had nothing since.
Went to family physician who was concerned and suggested nuclear stress test or CAT angiogram and gave me a choice. He ruled out blood work to look for enzymes. He told me the CAT would require prior insurance approval and recommended nuclear stress test. Like the EKG's I am sure that nothing will show up on the stress test. Should I save the insurance co pays etc and go straight to CAT angiogram?
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I am 37 year old female and I have had chest pains ongoing for a few months negative test the whole way. My doctor suggested an Angiogram to make sure that something is not being missed. I am a little nervous and thought someone could answer some questions I have?
1. Is this a fairly safe procedure?
2. What are the risks?
3. Do all the serious risk only happen during the procedure?
4.
This month I have been extremely fatigued and have had some chest pain. I had a EKG, Cardiolite Stress test, and now am scheduled for an angiogram. They tell me that everything seems normal, but a concern of a low ejection fraction and wall motion abnormality (expulsion of 45%). What will they be looking for with the angiogram?
What is the difference between a CT angiogram and a heart catheritization. Which is better? I had a CTA of the aortic arch and neck. I've been having discomfort for weeks but the CTA was fine. I also have moderate mitral valve regurg which the doctor said does not need repairing. So I am confused as to what test give the best information for blockages,etc....
The tests indicated a blockage. I am now waiting for an angiogram. They put me on drugs after the test. I am on 1.25mg Monocor, 5mg Norvasc, 10mg Crestor as well as ASA 81mg - one per day. Now I wait for Angiogram. I am quite freaked out. So I am scheduled for an angiogram on Feb 5th. They tell me there are risks in this test. The risk is 1 in 1000 people die, stroke or have a heart attack during this proceedure. My question is this, Should I get a 64-slice Coronary CT Angiograph​y?
Hello Padma,
Sorry to learn about your dad. I had a CT angiogram for heart this week. Compared to a regular angiogram or catheterization , the CT angiogram can be considered a noninvasive procedure. However, in your dad's case the CT angiogram may also be considered risky because of kidney problems. His kidneys may not be able to deal with the dye used for CT angiogram. I am not a doctor so here I am just giving advice based on my on experience.
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