question about "new cardiac tx"

[2003rn, ASN, RN]

Hi,

I have a question concerning a new treatment for heart blockages. My husband had a stress test today. (He has had 2 CABGs, 5 stents, at least 7 heart caths-in the past) His doctor told him that if the result of the stress test showed more blockages that he could possibly try a new drug or treatment to reduce the blockage?? I wasn't allowed to go in with him while he was having the stress test, I am a nurse in a prison, and do not know about any new cardiac drugs that will do this...and my husband cannot remember the name of this drug or tx. If the blockage is bad, he will have to go to the Cleveland Clinic again.

If anyone knows anything about this please let me know.

Thanks,

Prison nurse

[Kinjo]

maybe your husband could call the Dr.s office and ask the doctor to tell him the name of the drug and he could ask for the spelling and all?

[All_Smiles_RN]

well the stress test isn't going to show blockages, it will indicate if there is ischemia. the cath would show blockages. i haven't heard of any drugs like this. maybe the Dr. was referring to tweaking your husband's current meds and seeing if something else might help? please let us know if it does turn out that there is a new drug being used for blockages. good luck to your husband.

[2003rn, ASN, RN]

Thanks,

I wasn't thinking, I know that it takes a heart cath to show blockages...Like I said, I didn't get to go in with him while he was having the test, he told me what the Dr. said, and it probably was what you said (tweaking his meds to help). Anyway it turns out the stress test was ok, we go back to the cardiologist on the 17th to find out what we need to do to help with the shortness of breath. Thanks so much for your reply.

[elkpark]

I wonder if the doc's comments were related to the recent big (highly publicized) study that found that stents aren't as helpful as previously thought and drug treatment is more effective for many?

[bigsyis]

I work daily in a large cardiology practice and have never heard of such a thing. As someone else said, I think I'd just call your husband's cardiologist and find out what's up.