None ST segment MI

I just got my Cath drwaing in the mail and prior to me receiving this, we were told i did not suffer an MI.

In BIG BOLD LETTERS the CATH REPORT indicates UA/NSTSMI.   This stands for Unstable Angina/Non STMyocardial Infarction!  Why this Cath Doctor lied to my hubby and I is beyond me.

Looking up this information tonight, UA/NSTSMI is very serious and can cause instant death and if the patient survived this ruptured plaque and has an elevated Troponin level, there is a good chance that death can occur within 30 days of an event.  The article went on to say that even if the artery is occluded 40% a piece of plaque can break off causing a 100% blockage in a matter of seconds.

In December when I had my first Cath and stents, the cath doctor told me I was cleared and good to go with no occlusions any where and most likely will never have to have another cath.

Then when they cath'd me last week, they stented an area where it was 40-60% blocked.  This makes no sense to me.  All clear 5 months ago and now a dangerous area that could cause instant death.  I must not be living right.

Has anyone had similar?

Hi TexRose - Wow - that would be a shocker to get something like that in the mail! That alone could give you a heart attack! I would suggest going to Medical Records at that hospital and ordering all your records from that visit (better yet, from ALL your visits)

I haven't gotten anything in the mail like you did, but I did pick mine up from my last experience in January, and found that on the bottom of the handwritten sheet for the thalium stress test, the cardio wrote "likely infarct" and signed it, but then crossed it out and stamped something over it (but you can still read it). I was told everything was fine - and that I had GERD. (I don't!)

The same medical records from the same visit showed S-T wave abnormalities, QRS abnormalities, and right BBB (new to me), and LVH, PH, and 3 disfunctional valves.....((((however)))) - when I read the top of the sheet closely, under patient description, it said that I was a 5'-3", 180 lb woman but I am six inches taller and 50 pounds lighter. So....I don't know if SHE had a likely infarct - or if I did!!! I'm still trying to get to the bottom of that.

Maybe you can track down more info. That really makes me angry that your Doc would treat you that way and not answer you. He owes you an answer.
Hope you are feeling better soon!

hugs,
Oona

Thank you all for you comments and support.

Yes, I called for all medical records 7 days ago and when they did not arrive in todays mail, I called the hospital again.  They said they were mailed.  I need them in hand when I see the Cardio on Wednesday or i am cancelling the appointment.  Paronoia is setting in that they do not want to send them...The Cath doc is not who I am seeing.  He is the one who told hubby 5 times that I did not have  a heart attck but never produced for us the drawing of his cath before we left the hosptial even though we asked twice to see this.  He was no dummy.  He knew if he showed us the cath report indicating a UA/NonSTMI, that we would corner him for more information. I really feel this is the case.  he also figures we were some indigent dummies who would not asked questions and take his word as gospel truth and then quietly die in my sleep.  Sorry for my morbid feelings but hubby and I feel very down at this time. 

I heard today that HD is worse than a diagnosis of cancer.  I can attest to this.

Wishing everyone better days ahead.

TexRose....me again.
I was reading your earlier thread "Another so called event", and in it, you mentioned other possible causes for the A-fib's and the elevated Troponin levels, and that both could have been caused by drugs you were taking. Am I correct in assuming this is the same event you were talking about?

You said this: "I got into the site and it states that Trop levels can be elevated when one gets heparin.  I was given a heparin drip before leaving the ER room and before the Next Serum Heart Enzymes were taken.  I am remaining hopeful that this is the cause of the rise in Troponin and that the A-fib was the result of the Albuterol I took twice the night before...."

Therefore isn't it just as possible that you did not have UA/NSTEMI????
If I were you, I think that is the scenario I'd be latching onto.

I know this is very scary, and we sometimes fear the worst, but try to stay open until you have the records in hand and have a talk with your Doc.

BTW, I happen to think they were very aggressive in stenting you with a 40-60% block, but I'm not a Doc, and that is just my opinion.

Hello ladies,

Reading up on Cath/stents, normally they do not stent unless it is 70% or more.  This Stent doctor told us the % of blockage is in the eyes of the beholder!  One doctor may say 40%...One may say 50%, one says 60%.  I have the drawing of the Cath in December and the area they claimed they stented was CLEAR in December. When I questioned the cath doctor on this last week , he lifted up his pencil and asked me how long I thought the pencil was.  I said, 6".  he said, "no it is 7".   Hubby guessed 5 1/2". 

Now on the Heparin.  What I am interrupting on the Heparin is this, "if they use the area where the Heparin is dripping into the vein to get blood for various blood work, this area could cause errors in heart enzyme readings.  This should all be documented in the nurses notes of which I have not received yet. But, I know I had 4-5 high readings (have not seen all the lab results reports yet, either)  The time on these reports are also important as I remember once, the nurse taking blood from that Heparin site when she could not get a good vein on the other arm but looking back and racking my brain, I remember them also getting a good vein at various times and being told the Troponin level numbers.  They removed the Heparin just before the Cath and did not hook it back up.  Two more sets of blood were taken after that. (waiting to see reports) So, this is a grey area also as to what is truth and what is fiction.  The verdict is still out till I can see the blood reports and time listed.

I have an e-mail into one of the cardio doctors that wrote articles on Tropinin for his understanding on this.  I received a reply back that this cardiologist is out of town and shall return on the `13th of June so hopefully I will hear back soon.

I am also waiting to see EKG reports.  I did know in the ER room that the ER doctor stated the EKG showed A-fib but he never mentioned that it showed UA/NSTSMI.  He never mentioned the words, "heart attack" unless they are not suppose to.

Back to the Cath doctor. Most of our questions were answered with, "heart disease is a grey area".

TexRose,

This is only my opinion, but I think the biggest question and suggestion on this whole thing that I can ask and make is are you happy with your cardiologist now?  If you are, then don't look for answers from Dr.'s on the net...they don't know your case like your own Dr. does from A to Z.  They've never examined you either.  If you are not happy with your cardiologist then I would really encourage you to talk to him and tell him this and try to remedy this situation, or fire him and find another Dr. that will answer your questions to your satisfaction!  This is your body and your health.  Make sure they include you on your health team!

Wishing you the very best and hoping someone can help you out with this soon!!  Big Hugs, Teri

I'm very glad that it did help you, TexRose!!-just wanted to make sure all was okay with you-And I am a worrier. :)

Hugs, Teri :)