Don't Want Bypass Using Saphenous Vein

[PeggyM]

I apologize if I didn't spell it correctly. I had apple pie for breakfast and am too sluggish to look it up!

When they replace my mitral valve they are also going to do a bypass of my right coronary artery. I absolutely do not want them to use my legs. Because of previous dvts and now venous stasis both my lower legs can get painful. The right lower leg just hurts to touch sometimes. And to top if off, they are already scarred as hell and I'm sick of it.

So, I want them to use the mammary artery, which I've read can be done and one cardiologist told me that. They can also use a vein from the arm. I don't want anymore scars and pain!!! Can anyone tell me anything about using the mammary artery? I mean since they're already there, why not!

 

[tprice54]

Sure can

Sure can

I had one CABG 1/27/07 while I had my aortic valve replaced...they used the mammary artery for the CABG. No extra pain (other than some muscle soreness on that side). During my brief stay at the hospital, I had to keep telling PA's, nurses, etc. that were checking my wounds I did NOT have any leg wounds.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I apologize if I didn't spell it correctly. I had apple pie for breakfast and am too sluggish to look it up!

When they replace my mitral valve they are also going to do a bypass of my right coronary artery. I absolutely do not want them to use my legs. Because of previous dvts and now venous stasis both my lower legs can get painful. The right lower leg just hurts to touch sometimes. And to top if off, they are already scarred as hell and I'm sick of it.

So, I want them to use the mammary artery, which I've read can be done and one cardiologist told me that. They can also use a vein from the arm. I don't want anymore scars and pain!!! Can anyone tell me anything about using the mammary artery? I mean since they're already there, why not!

The Mammary Artery is an excellent source of blood for the coronary arteries BUT I would NOT recommend using it for the RCA. People survive heart attacks when the RCA closes off. The do NOT survive if the Left Main closes off and I suspect that may even be true of the Left Anterior Descending Artery closes off.

Hence, my recommendation that you save your mamary arteries for possible later use if you develop Left side blockages. An arm vein could be used for the RCA.

Bottom Line: Ask your Surgeon for his thoughts on the matter given your concerns about using your saphenous veins.

'AL Capshaw'

p.s. Send me an e-mail if you would like to discuss this subject further.

 

[aussigal]

From the little I know about veins and by-passes I think they dont usually use the saphenous vein unless they are in an emergency situation because it is the quickest and easiest to remove (thats what happened to me when I had my RCA by-passed). The patients I have seen in my surgeons office who had by-passes that werent emergencies had a vein removed from their arm.

I strongly suggest you talk this over with your surgeon in advance and express all your concerns and reasonings.