[Ole Okie]

Angioplasty and bypass surgery are no more effective in the long term (5 years +) than drug therapy.

I would argue a bit about that statement, at least in my specific case.

In 1974 I had a massive heart attack (LAD blocked) and was left with nothing but angina and a miserable existence. Medicine did little or nothing to help, and the future looked awfully bleak.

Then in 1981 I had 6 coronary bypasses, and it was as if the surgeons had passed a miracle. No more angina, no more coronary pain. I could walk 5 or 6 miles at a semi-trot without angina.

The surgery was 28 years ago, and the bypasses are still open. I live an active life. And that's thanks to CAGB.

[neverdem]

Think cabbage - CABG - coronary artery bypass graft. When you had yours, they cracked your chest for access. Now they can do them without cracking your chest.

While the traditional “open heart” procedure is still performed and often preferred in many situations, newer, less invasive techniques have been developed to bypass blocked coronary arteries. “Off-pump” procedures, in which the heart does not have to be stopped, were developed in the 1990’s. Other minimally-invasive procedures, such as key-hole surgery (performed through very small incisions) and robotic procedures (performed with the aid of a moving mechanical device), are also in development.

[Pining_4_TX]

I’m very glad to hear it. We need all our Freepers! :-)