Coronary Artery Disease Case Study
Coronary Artery Disease
10/31/2005
This paper will serve as a case study for the condition known as coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD occurs when the coronary arteries become hardened and narrowed; this is due to the buildup of plaque on the inner lining of the arteries. Blood flow to the heart is reduced as plaque narrows the coronary arteries, thereby decreasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This loss of oxygen in the blood can lead to ischemia and later, myocardial infarction. The patient in this case is a 63 year old male with CAD that led to a myocardial infarction in April of 2003. In speaking with the patient about his condition, a series of questions regarding the meaning of the illness to him, his family, and how he dealt with it were asked. The patient said he felt like he, "dodged a bullet with that heart attack, and to tell you the truth, I'm just happy to be alive." In April of 2003 it was found that his coronary arteries were severely obstructed and that led to the myocardial infarction. In addition to feeling like he was lucky to be alive, the patient voiced the need to enjoy …show more content…
The most common procedures used to help with CAD are angioplasty and CABG. Angioplasty is used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can improve blood flow to the heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack. Sometimes a stent is placed in the artery to keep it propped open after the procedure. Typically a catheter is inserted in the femoral artery and threaded up to the blockage site, where a balloon is inflated up to several times to depress the arterial plaque against the vessel walls. CABG is a surgical procedure where a saphenous vein from the thigh is usually used to bypass the artery that is blocked. The purpose is to improve blood flow, relieve chest pain, and hopefully prevent future heart
10/31/2005
This paper will serve as a case study for the condition known as coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD occurs when the coronary arteries become hardened and narrowed; this is due to the buildup of plaque on the inner lining of the arteries. Blood flow to the heart is reduced as plaque narrows the coronary arteries, thereby decreasing the oxygen supply to the heart muscle. This loss of oxygen in the blood can lead to ischemia and later, myocardial infarction. The patient in this case is a 63 year old male with CAD that led to a myocardial infarction in April of 2003. In speaking with the patient about his condition, a series of questions regarding the meaning of the illness to him, his family, and how he dealt with it were asked. The patient said he felt like he, "dodged a bullet with that heart attack, and to tell you the truth, I'm just happy to be alive." In April of 2003 it was found that his coronary arteries were severely obstructed and that led to the myocardial infarction. In addition to feeling like he was lucky to be alive, the patient voiced the need to enjoy …show more content…
The most common procedures used to help with CAD are angioplasty and CABG. Angioplasty is used to open blocked or narrowed coronary arteries. It can improve blood flow to the heart, relieve chest pain, and possibly prevent a heart attack. Sometimes a stent is placed in the artery to keep it propped open after the procedure. Typically a catheter is inserted in the femoral artery and threaded up to the blockage site, where a balloon is inflated up to several times to depress the arterial plaque against the vessel walls. CABG is a surgical procedure where a saphenous vein from the thigh is usually used to bypass the artery that is blocked. The purpose is to improve blood flow, relieve chest pain, and hopefully prevent future heart