Cardio Procedure for WLS

Just got a call from the cardiology dept. at OHSU earlier this afternoon.  I will be having an angio CAT scan, which is less invasive than the angiogram itself.  It will involve an injection of contrast dye and then the images can be viewed.  The assistant warned me that the images may not be as clear as those from the angiogram.  If that happens, then I may have to undergo an angiogram later.  If the cardiologist still thinks that an angiogram is necessary, then I will seek a second opinion.  Meanwhile, somebody else will be scheduling my appointment sometime within the next week.  I have already had about 4 or 5 CAT scans in the past and this one will be my 5th or 6th. I was advised by the cardiologist in my initial consult with her last Friday that because of my body composition, an accurate picture from a nuclear stress test or echo test could not be obtained.  She instead suggested that I should have an angiogram, which is much more invasive than the stress or echo test.  I told the cardiologist that I would talk to my NP at the WLS clinic before scheduling any further appointments with the cardiology dept.  At my appointment with my NP at the WLS clinic, she saw the notes from the cardiologist and didn't agree with the cardiologist's assessment.  The NP stated that people with my own body composition had undergone either stress or echo test successfully.   I called the cardiology dept. yesterday and told them that I would prefer lesser invasive procedures than the angiogram and if the cardiologist still says that I should have an angiogram, then I will seek a second opinion. Getting clearance from a cardiologist is one of the requirements for WLS at OHSU.

I did the simplest forms of cardio testing there & fortunately they could see everything ok. One good thing is at the Waterfront bldg. they have all new state of the art equipment and it was high resolution stuff- easier to read. One more (hopefully , last) hurdle & then you are there! My date was given me 3 days after last hurdle and it was only 2 wks. in future!

Wow Vicki - I'm glad you decided to ask for the NP's opinion on the procedure.  I got the notion that there was not good communication between cardiology and the digestive health center at OHSU.  It makes sense to go for the least invasive procedure you can have.  All the best! Linda