OT: My brother-question for cardiac nurses

Ok, my brother had his cardiac cath on friday.   They didn't find a blockage but what they did find sounds a little weird to me.  In February, he had 2 stents placed in the LAD just a few centimeters apart.  Apparently, the artery between the stents has collapsed.  The cardiologist was unsure what to do, so Jack is on bedrest until sometime today so that the cardiologist could consult with a cardiothoracic surgeon.  I have never been much of a cardiac nurse, so all you critical care folks out there, what do you think?

Marilyn

Marilyn,
If the vessel is collapsed completely then chances are they will want to bypass that part of the artery. If the stent is not holding then in order to get blood flow bypass sounds logical. This is coming from my wife, who was a cardiac nurse at St Thomas. This was only her thought based on your post. Obviously the doctors and those closest will have a much better understanding of what is going on. Your brother has been and will continue to be in our prayers.

I agree with Paul's wife. I work in a CVICU, and if the vessel is collapsed, blood flow cannot get through to perfuse that are of the heart. He probably has some collateral flow to compensate but not enough. The consulted that cardiothoracic surgeon to see if he could bypass that vessel in order to establish much needed blood flow to that area.
Your brother will be in my prayers.
Jen

I agree, no blood getting through, needs to be fixed, asap....based on the option of the cardiologist and surgeon.

Paul, where at St. Thomas does your wife work??  I work in the Critical Care, I would love to meet her sometime,
Sherry

Sherry,
She WAS employed at St Thomas. She left there earlier this year. She misses it greatly as she went to school to do patient care not paperwork. She loves her current job, just misses the patient care aspect. She is now Director of Clinical Services at Maxim Health which provided Health Screenings at the recent Walk.