Coronary bypass second opinion

@jbhook Hi, it is only a test I agree. Like you, I got a call from central scheduling that I was to have an echo, have no idea who ordered it. But I am glad someone is watching out for me since I was due to have one. If you have the echo before 8/8 this will give the Cardio Dr. more information to discuss with you and maybe how to proceed. This would save you from another appt after the echo to discuss the findings.

I know how it feels to have no symptoms feel fatigued for several weeks and then end up in the ER with afib and congestive heart. After the ER I ended up in the hospital, then rehab, and finally extended care. I did not return home for almost three months. I saw my PCP the week before and he only ordered labs drawn, never mentioned that I have afib with low BP. At the ER I had an angiogram and my heart was completely clear. I was told that was from the good ole country living on the farm. But the labs and my echo told a different story. One of my heart muscles was failing. Who would thought this would happen? My body was in total, total fatigue mode. Now to many new meds and side effects to deal with. I wished I could have surgery that would fix the problem.

Now that I am home I hope my heart muscle will repair itself by becoming stronger and I will be able to get more done in a day. I wish you luck and hope all turns out well for you. I know it is difficult to handle right now but stay healthy. Keep in touch with your progress. KLH

Yes Mayo provides second options and/or primary treatment if willing to travel (maybe best to take this approach and decide later if you can?) in these situations where surgery is suggested. Call and schedule an appointment. Also, it can be helpful if two local doctors are telling you different things, OR if you want the best care possible. Good luck.

I'm glad they offer second opinions, and maybe thirds? I've had a double by-pass (2015), then had to have a re-do on one of the grafts in 2019. In 2021, I had to have a stent placed, then angioplasty (same month), then the next month had a light MI. Now I suffer from chronic chest pain (told it's from small vessel spasms), but the vessel that had been by-passed (one of them) is still blocking up and I'm wondering if that is what is causing my chest pain.
My cardiologist had an associate do an angiogram, but he said he won't touch the blockage. And yet I continue to hurt.

Follow your doctors advice but it sounds
like an appointment/visit to Mayo cardiology might be a good idea.

Also check out Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn as you don’t have anything to lose and it might help you feel better. You can review his book, website or YouTube videos. Feel better.

Hi @jbhook my husband recently found similar news. He had 3 blockages- the cardiologist referred him to the surgeon because he didn’t feel stents would work for his LAD blockage which was really bad. He is only 53 doesn’t smoke or drink- is not overweight and is very active. He’s also a physician so he knew about some other options from colleagues. Long story short we explored robotic cabg. The closest place to us that did this routinely was Emory, so we went there for a consult. The surgeon there thought he was a candidate- because really he only needed the LAD bypassed- the other vessels could be stented, but because the LAD needed bypass he told us most surgeons will just bypass the other vessels because they have the chest open and in there already. With the robotic cabg he can really only fix the one vessel- so really the candidates are those who need one vessel bypass. My husband had the surgery and then stents placed in the other vessels 2 days later. His chest wasn’t cracked open- he had one horizontal incision under the left breast and 2 puncture sites from the robot. He also had one chest tube site. His hospital stay was 4 days and he’s doing great. I don’t know where your blockages are, but it might be another procedure to inquire about to see if your a candidate. Best wishes

Jeane Abbas