MRA 3 weeks after stroke? Why not sooner?

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

To make a long story short, my sister and I have not been on congenial terms with my father for about 6 years, mostly due to his wife. She is manipulative and it is better to just stay away from her.

My friend sees her occasionally as they both belong to the same organization, and knows her enough to speak to. The wife knows that my friend is married to my ex-DH (THAT's a whole 'nother thread), and that we are friends.

The wife tells my friend that my dad has been off work for 3 weeks, as he had a stroke. She said that she had been to take him for an MRA that day and it showed 98% blockage in one artery and over 90% in the other. She said he was at home with her and not in a hospital.

My question is this, since I am skeptical of anything this woman says, and dont' want to get myself in a big mess with getting caught up in her schemes,

IF a person had carotid arteries that were that blocked, and had a stroke, would they be well enough to be at home? AND why would they wait 3 weeks to do an MRA??? We live in a one horse town but are only an hour from Louisville, and it wouldn't be a problem to send someone for tests.

He is 62, going to be 63 next month, smokes like a freight train for close to 50 years, Type II diabetic for 10 yrs or more, and most likely doesn't eat well, since he is a truck driver.

IF my dad is really ill, I would go to see him, but I am paranoid for good reason that she wants me out there just to raise hell and cause trouble. :uhoh21:

[bargainhound, RN]

People can have blockages like you listed and live for quite a while.....despite the fact that they are at risk for massive stroke at any time. It is not predictable, but he is highly at risk due to smoking and diabetes and documented blockages.

[stressednurse]

He is your dad, go visit him. Talk to him and then go home. You will sleep better and dont get into an arguement with anyone. Smile and nod your head a lot.

[gwenith, BSN, RN]

I agree with all of the above - the history you give makes it sound like he is a "vasculopath" and if there are blockages in the carotids there will be blocakages elsewhere.

He is your Father - for better or worse - see him now talk to him and tell him the things that you need to so that there will be no regrets later.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Can you call your Dad when she is not home and ask him? It's too bad you had to learn about this 2nd hand.

[KaroSnowQueen, RN]

Canoe,

No, she stands guard over him like a pit bull. She hasn't worked herself in several years.

I guess I will just go out there and see, the whole thing still sounds fishy to me, I can't figure out why they waited three weeks to do an MRA, looks like to me they would have done that within the first few days? It makes me wonder if she made it up?

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Canoe,

No, she stands guard over him like a pit bull. She hasn't worked herself in several years.

I guess I will just go out there and see, the whole thing still sounds fishy to me, I can't figure out why they waited three weeks to do an MRA, looks like to me they would have done that within the first few days? It makes me wonder if she made it up?

Often the ultrasound shows the blockages, but before they consider what to do about them, they will do an MRA later on as the MRA is more definitive. Perhaps he wasn't a surgical candidate at the time, or has enough collateral circulation that it wasn't a big deal. I've had patients with known blockages discharged for treatment at a future date. Those are rather severe blockages and probably not much can be done if they are truly that blocked.

Glad that you're deciding to check things out for yourself. Good luck.