Tablet therapy, PCI (ballooning) and Heart Bypass Surgery for Coronary Artery Disease.

JR, a 62 year old male, presented with crescendo angina (increasing frequency of chest pain – acute coronary syndrome). His past medical background included chronic kidney disease, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, myocardial infarction (heart attack) and a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). He was offered a coronary angiogram through the right femoral artery. The test revealed significant disease within the right coronary artery. The lesion was predilated with the PT XS balloon (balloon angioplasty) and Resolute Onyx 3.5x26mm (stent) was implanted concluding with a good result.

SA, a 59 year old male, underwent a coronary angiogram as part of the work up for a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG). He had a background of high blood pressure, obesity, ischaemic heart disease (with previous coronary angiogram) and smoking. He underwent a further coronary angiogram through the right radial artery (in the wrist) with a 6F TIG catheter. The test showed severe disease in the left circumflex and right coronary arteries, as well as a patent (opened) stent in the left anterior descending artery. Lesions were found to be suitable for angioplasty. The patient was referred back to the cardiothoracic surgeons for further discussion regarding his treatment.

This gentleman has kindly agreed to share his story about the treatment for coronary artery disease. He underwent heart bypass, which is an open surgery on his heart.

This lady has kindly agreed to share her experience from the surgical treatment of coronary artery disease. She underwent invasive procedure - heart bypass.

Mr AD was suffering from symptoms of angina (chest pain due to an inadequate blood supply to the heart). He had a coronary angiogram that revealed narrowing in blood vessel supplying the heart that was causing his symptoms. It demonstrated severe narrowing of the left circumflex coronary artery. He went on to have this treated by percutaneous (through the blood vessel in the right arm) coronary angioplasty. This was performed by relieving the narrowing with balloons initially followed by deployment of two drug eluting stents (3mm and 2.5mm diameter) to his left circumflex coronary artery. The stents were optimised with intravascular ultrasound.

Find out why a coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) may be needed, plus what the procedure involves, how long it takes to recover and the associated risks.