About Curtis J. Edwards, MD, FACS Expertise Semi-retired, general and vascular surgery questions, veins arteries and questions related to the thorax. Seventeen years practice experience. I ran the non-invasive vascular lab at a major teaching hospital prior to attending medical school. While in private practice treated diseases of the peripheral veins and arteries including venous injection and ablation procedures, and arterial bypass grafting, and endarterectomy.
Experience Seventeen years private practice, general, peripheral vascular, non-cardiac thoracic surgery (semi-retired). Aviation medicine.
Organizations College of Surgeons, AMA, Aerospace Medical Assoc.
Education/Credentials BA,MD, American Board of Surgery, Fellow American College of Surgeons, Senior FAA Aerospace Medical Examiner
Question QUESTION: My Grandfather is 85 years old and recently blacked out in a parking lot, the test results showed 100% artery blockage on right side and 60% blocked on the left. He is a heart patient ( triple by pass),2 valve replacements, high blood pressure, Dementia (diagnosed 2 1/2 years ago), and a FREE BLEEDER.
The doctors said he is too high risk for any surgeries due to his age,free bleeder and dementia. If the left artery goes to 100% blockage what could happen? It is very sad because he becomes more and more confused every day and every time he gets up from the setting position he is always dizzy. Can you please help me figure out what to expect in the future?
ANSWER: Unable to answer the question because you didn't state in your question which arteries were blocked and partially occluded. I do not understand FREE BLEEDER. Is he receiving anti-coagulation? If so why? Is it just for the prosthetic valves?
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QUESTION: It's the 2 main arterys in his neck, Carotid Artery. and the Free Bleeder part is that when he has surgery he bleeds to fast and he practically could bleed to death.
Answer It may be that the risks of surgery, i.e. serious hemorrhage leading to death are outweighed by the potential benefit. He has dementia, a bad heart, a history of stroke, an extremely high risk of bleeding to death. The math on his chances of doing well with surgery are poor.
