Answering patients’ concerns: Is it necessary to undergo another angiography examination one year after stent surgery?

patient:

Dr. Wang, I had two stents installed for acute myocardial infarction. I take the medicine regularly and don't feel any discomfort. Routine examinations are all normal. Do I need to do another angiography in one year?

Doctor Wang:

First, if the lesion is very simple and only a single lesion is placed, and one or two stents are placed in one blood vessel, and the other blood vessels are in good condition without serious plaques. After one year, there are no symptoms and the patient has never stopped taking medication, then there is no need for re-examination and the angiography can be continued.

Second, if during stent placement, other blood vessels still have lesions except for the blood vessels at the stent site, and the lesions are critical lesions or close to adjacent lesions, then it is best to have a follow-up examination after one year. There are two purposes: first, to see if the critical lesions have progressed, and second, to see if the stent is unobstructed.

Third, if the stent is a complex lesion, a bifurcation lesion, or a left main trunk lesion, it is best to have a recheck. If there are many stents placed, it is best to have a recheck.

Fourth, if the blood flow does not reach the ideal state during stent placement, theoretically the normal blood flow is level three, but if it does not reach level three, then you can consider a re-examination.

Fifth, if symptoms still exist and there is a clear causal relationship between the diagnosis and ischemia, then a re-examination is necessary.

Whether a follow-up examination is needed one year after heart stent surgery must be based on the angiography conditions at the time and whether the patient has symptoms. It cannot be generalized.

Regardless of whether coronary angiography is needed one year later, we must do the following after stenting: quit smoking, take medicines regularly, exercise according to the doctor's advice, eat a healthy diet, strictly control the three highs, pay attention to the side effects of drugs, and have some common sense about angina pectoris.