Below you'll find a list of all posts from 2015
What Is Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI)? Percutaneous Coronary Intervention or PCI (also called Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty or PTCA) is a medical procedure in which a balloon is used to open a blockage in a coronary artery narrowed by atherosclerosis. This procedure usually involves placement of stents to improve the blood flow to the heart. (From: http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Cad/CAD_WhatIs.html) An animation is also …
Your risk for developing atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries or blockages) includes health factors that indicate your chance of having a cardiovascular event such as heart attack or stroke: are all important in determining your risk. Treatment depends on evaluation of these and other risk factors. Cholesterol The lipid profile measures cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C, “good” cholesterol), …
Important Information About the Risk Calculation The risk results shown in this program are estimates. The results show your current potential risks & benefits of this treatment option. However, this result is not an actual prediction. It will only give you a general idea of your future risk with this option. Your actual risks may or may not be the …
Important Information About the Risk Calculation The risk results shown in this program are estimates. The results show your current potential risks & benefits of this treatment option. However, this result is not an actual prediction. It will only give you a general idea of your future risk with this option. Your actual risks may or may not be the …
Your heart has four chambers: The right and left atria and the right and left ventricles, separated by four valves that control the flow of blood through your heart and the septum, which separates the left side from the the right side of your heart. The four heart valves are: The tricuspid valve, located between the right atrium and right …
Submitted by Dr T on July 3, 2015 – 9:04am Question: My father was recently hospitalized with a pericardial effusion and atrial fib/flutter with a rate of 160. Rate was decreased over 24 hours to 110-115 on amiodarone and diltiazem. His cardiologist wanted to perform a chemical stress test. (He had a negative cardiac cath 2 years prior). My father …
Acute Stent Thrombosis frequently results in myocardial infarction (up to 80% of cases) with reported mortality rates between 30 and 45%. In contrast, Coronary Artery Bypass Graft occlusion may become apparent with recurrent angina, which then may lead to repeat revascularization. This effect is well known from the literature and did indeed translate into increased rates of myocardial infarction and cardiac …
Submitted by Dr T on April 2, 2015 – 5:07pm in Your heart rhythm Question: I am 76 years of age and have been diagnosed with sick sinus syndrome. The suggested treatment is metoprolol and a pacemaker. I have not had any symptoms such as, light headedness, fainting, or tiredness, other than the feeling of the sometimes erratic heart beat. …
Submitted by Dr T on February 8, 2015 – 3:18pm in Cardiac Risks Question: Hi, I am 35 and had a heart attack 18 months ago, due to high cholesterol. As a result I needed a stent in my RCA and have been told I have very mild disease in my LAD. my cardiologist told me I suffered next to …