Angiogram

[LavenderRain]

Has anyone had an angiogram? What was it like?
Did you stay in hospital or was it a day case?
Ant after effects?


TIA

[LavenderRain]

Thanks so much draylon

It's my father that's having it, he has suspected aortic stenosis and has been told he may need a new valve.
He was told the dye will be injected through the wrist but hasn't been told anymore.
He had an appointment for a chat and pre med, that has now been cancelled and he is going in a week earlier to have the procedure, no chat or premed required apparently!!
He is 71 and extremely nervous. I am trying to calm him down

[Wolpertinger]

Not had one, seen many. Most patients get very interested in what's going on. You definitely don't need a chat or a pre-med for it although they will consent you properly on the day.

It's a day case. Often it's done via the groin but if he's been told wrist, they can do that too. They pass a fine wire up to where they want to look - you can't actually feel this at all. They then inject the dye - this feels very weird and like you are going to wet yourself, they will give him plenty of warning.

And then everyone looks at the pictures on the screen. Results are obvious straight away. You aren't sedated and everyone talks you through whats going on.

Afterwards you have to lie down for a bit with pressure on your wrist to stop it bleeding. And then you can go home!

[LavenderRain]

Thanks wolpertinger that sounds reassuring,
Dad is getting so worked up about it, he has come through throat cancer and gruelling radiotherapy 2 years ago ffs but this is freaking him out!

[Wolpertinger]

OK - compared to radiotherapy for throat cancer it's a piece of piss!

[LavenderRain]

That's what I've told him! I said think of it as an X-ray with added extras

[TheExMotherInLaw]

DH had that done 2 years ago, when he was 65. I dropped him at the hospital, drove home, then got a call to go collect, just a few hours later. They did it through the wrist. The next stage is an appointment with a surgical cardiologist. DH had double bypass surgery a few weeks later, on his 66th birthday, and was in hospital less than a week! The first few weeks after surgery were tough, no doubt about that, but after a few weeks he was able to go out for walks. Less than 2 years later he's back to cycling, running and sailing. Today he was fretting because it was raining too much for him to be outside building a brick wall.

[LavenderRain]

theex that sounds very reassuring, thank you for replying,
TBH I cant even begin to think about surgery! It seems we've only just got through the cancer,
I don't really know what a valve replacement involves yet but I'm assuming it's a pretty big job!
Just getting him to the angiogram is a struggle at the moment, I can see him saying 'no thanks I won't bother' to the dr

[TheExMotherInLaw]

Glad to be of use. A much younger friend of dh had valve replacement surgery about 3 years ago. They will assess his general health, and consider everything before recommending surgery.
We had to laugh at the surgeon - he said, 'Right, what is it going to take for me to persuade you to have this surgery done?'
DH (pointing to me) said 'She's already convinced me'
He said 'Right, that's the most difficult part of my job done - the rest is just plumbing!'
It is externally the same - a cut right down the sternum, but at least they don't need to take bits from elsewhere, as they do for a bypass - they use an artificial valve. I have to admit, dh looked like a Borg the first time I saw him, but he was sitting up in a chair less than 24 hours post surgery! The big scar has faded quite well, just 3 small scars where drain tubes were placed have left marks.
Which hospital is he likely to go to?
PM me if you prefer.

[Wolpertinger]

Again as TheEx says, the valve repair is a much smaller deal than what he's gone through for the throat cancer.

I know it sounds worse given it's heart surgery but having seen both, I'd pick the valve replacement in an instant. The hospital stay is amazingly short considering and then you get your life back. While RT for throat cancer is weeks of relentless grind and pain and misery.

British Heart Foundation has a nice info page including video explaining it.

www.bhf.org.uk/heart-health/treatments/valve-heart-surgery

[LavenderRain]

Thanks all. TheEx it will be Southampton general

[TheExMotherInLaw]

oh, a friend just had her pacemaker replaced at Southampton - she was very impressed with her treatment.

[LavenderRain]

That's good to know TheEx I hope she's ok

[rembrandtsrockchick]

I had one on monday at Addenbrooks in Cambridge. Went in through the wrist. Was very impressed by the level of care.

The only after effect has been a sore wrist for a few days.

Apparently my arteries are gleaming and sparkly and in superb order...which is nice to know but doesn't explain the recurrent excercise induced chest pain!

[LavenderRain]

rembrant that's good news about your arteries sorry they didn't solve your problem tho,

Can I ask how long you were in hospital from start to finish?

[LavenderRain]

Well dad has had the official letter through, (appointment was given over the phone at first)
It does say on there that it is for a conorary angiogram and it will be an overnight stay,
He's now in panic mode as I told him it was a glorified X-ray and he would come home the same day
Is it really an overnight stay?!

[LavenderRain]

Thanks Draylon for replying,
Dad has no other issues (he had throat cancer 18 months back but is now recovered)
They are thinking he needs a new heart valve which I don't think they will do on the same day as the angiogram!!
I just can't understand why it states bring your stuff for an overnight stay.

[LavenderRain]

Forgot to say. His appointment is 10am, with nil by mouth after 8.30

[LavenderRain]

Hmm I think you are right but it does say on the letter 'overnght' but then it says day surgery

[Roussette]

My DH (mid sixties) had an angiogram 2 weeks ago. He has had one before plus 2 angioplastys (stents). It is all OK and yes he had his angiogram through the wrist too. It could have been a day procedure for him because he went in early, but I didn't pick him up till the evening and he was absolutely fine.

Do you know Lavender what anasthetic your DF might have? Maybe he is having more than my DH had (hence staying overnight) which was some sort of relaxant that didnt put him out so he was fine. His arm was a bit stiff for a few days but really no problems .

Your DF possibly having a heart valve (which I presume is a stent) after the angioplasty makes perfect sense. My DH didn't need one this time (he has 2 already) but if he had needed one, they would have done it there and then rather than call him in again. So you should really present this as a positive to your DF, only one hospital stay needed!

[Roussette]

Sorry I typed that wrong....

"Your DF possibly having a heart vale (which I presume is a stent) after the angiogram makes perfect sense.

[Wolpertinger]

The NHS is shocking for sending out multi-purpose letters to people having all sorts of procedures without tailoring them to individuals. So a letter that says 'day surgery' and also 'overnight bag' would be absolutely normal. This sadly does not help worriers like your dad who pour over the letter like it is the gospel truth.

Rousette a heart valve is not the same as a stent - it involves open heart surgery to replace. Which I suspect is why anxiety levels are off the scale, LavenderRain's DF knows what is on the cards after the angio.