“How much blockage requires a stent?”
My artery is 60% clogged. What should I do? How much blockage requires a stent?
2 Answers
About 70% blockage is usually thought needed to cause significant coronary ischemia(ie--lack of bloodflow to the heart muscle) But, if there is any FUNCTIONAL testing that suggests a lack of bloodflow in the area of your heart supplied by a partially blocked coronary artery--then it is possible that a blockage of LESS than 70% could be responsible. The other thing that must be understood is that determining 70% from 60% is NOT "black and white"--and takes a LOT of knowledge and experience in interpreting results of verious testing. And there are various ways to determine if a 60-70% blockage seen on a cardiac catheterization test is really a "CULPRIT LESION"--and is in fact causing a reduction in coronary blood flow. If there is any question aboiut your status, a detailed discussion with your cardiologist should help guide whether anymore testing is needed to determine if you might still have a FUNCTIONALLY significant blockage that needs further treatment(ie--medication, stenting, etc.)
70% or more!
