Ask the Expert:
Interventional Cardiologist

New Questions & Answers

• What type of test is done for a patient who has CHF complicated by lung problems (emphysema)? My mom was scheduled for sx but according to her cardiologist needs a test done for a blockage. Apparently you are the only ones that do this test? She states mom will be unfortable. I can't be with them and wanted just what type of test it was. She can't have a stress test. Thank you
  Elsie, Frederick, MD
• What can a patient expect from cardiac ablation? What type of anesthetic is used? What is the recovery time? How long is the procedure? Is an overnight hospital stay required? Thanks for your time!
  Kelly, Roy, UT
• About 7 years ago, I was diagnosed with Premature Ventricular Contractions(PVCs) which is completly benign and normal. Recently, my arrthymias were more pronounce. I just turned 29 and for the month of March, I have been in and out of the hospitals. I was scheduled for a Cath ablation last week and the Electrophysiologist were not able to induce my arrthymias. On that same day, I ended up staying in the hospital due to the side effects of general anesthesia. The next day, my arrythimias came back but this time, really intense...runs of tachycardia of about 18 to 23 and a heart rate of 100-197. They tried Verapamil...but it didn't work. I tried Sotolol in which it worked but now I am very sluggish. I am just confused at this time because according to the EPS, my heart and its electrical conduction is good but then i still have the arrythmias. Any suggestions? thanks
  Jacqueline, Nottingham, MD
• I am a woman and weigh 392 lbs, had an angiography about 2 months ago, with 2 stents implanted (had 4 blockages, one about 97% and another significant one and 2 small ones). These were the source of the chest pains that I had been having upon awakening every morning. I went to the hospital, recently for a dobutamine stress test and the nuclear imaging tech says that they cannot do the test due to the weight limitations of their table. The table limits are 400 lbs, but recently a patient who weighed 385 lbs bowed the table, so they will not do my study. She also told me that the study would not give a good reading as my breasts are quite large and dense. My cardiologist is furious and desperate to find a facility that can give me a test with credible results. My chest pains had stopped, however, recently, I began to experience minor ones when very stressed, emotionally. What is your advice? Do you know of any facilities in this area (with open heart surgery capabilities) that are able to do these tests for patients my size and larger? I am very frustrated and would like to get some accurate baseline readings. I hope that you can help me. Thank you.
  Valeria, Odenton, MD
• I am a 37 year old female weighing 125 lbs. with no medical history-no operations in the past, etc. I do not drink or smoke (never have) and eat healthy, exercise, have low cholesterol and no history of heart disease in my family at all. A few months ago I experienced severe crushing chest pain. I was flown by helicopter to a Hospital who could do an emergency angiogram, which revealed an extreme amount of diffuse blood clots in the LAD-showing 90% blockage. The Doctors thought that the M.I. was due to coronary spasm. I was hospitalized and placed on medicine therapy and have been pain free since. 3 weeks later, a follow up angiogram revealed blood clots with a 40% blockage. I am now taking all the nutritional supplements, vitamins, diet, etc. that you recommend. In the past during a pregnancy I had mild migraines. Will I be able to have kids again since I seem prone to spasm? Should I ever attempt to get pregnant?
  Kim, Pine, AZ