CAD, Triple Vessel Disease (TVD) Does Not Mean the Patient Will Need Bypass Surgery

 Triple Vessel Disease is a serious condition of the heart. It is a type of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) with blockages in all three major blood vessels that supply the heart with blood.  

TVD is essentially caused by the hardening or clogging of the arteries due to a condition called atherosclerosis. This can happen due to poor lifestyle habits including lack of exercise, poor eating habits, obesity, diabetes, smoking, etc.

Symptoms of TVD

Patients who have blockages in blood vessels supplying blood to their heart, especially TVD can experience shortness of breath, muscle weakness, confusion, fatigue, pain in the chest, heartburn, dizziness, etc.  These symptoms are common in all Coronary Artery Diseases. 

Detection of TVD

TVD can be detected by a variety of tests. These mainly include:

  • Cardiac catheterization (Coronary angiography)
  • CT Coronary Angiogram

Treatment Approach

Treatment options for TVD usually has three approaches, using medications to reduce the workload of the heart, improving blood flow to the coronary arteries, and reversing or slowing down atherosclerosis.  In an attempt to improve the blood flow to the coronary arteries, doctors can intervene to relax the arteries using invasive procedures like Angioplasty/PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Intervention) or CABG (Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting). 




CABGs or Angioplasty for Triple Vessel Disease?

If someone is diagnosed with Triple Vessel Disease, it does not mean that CABGs is necessarily the treatment modality advised. Doctors can opt for angioplasty or CABGs depending on the number and location of blockages in the heart and the pumping capacity of the heart. 

A score known as the syntax score is used by cardiologists as a tool to assess the complexity of coronary artery lesions. If the syntax score is less meaning the blockages are simple, angioplasty can be equally effective as CABGs. However, if there are more complex blocks, CABGs is more effective than angioplasty.

Recent studies have shown that patients with Triple Vessel Disease do not necessarily have to go through CABGs. PTCA or CABGs can be advised as a treatment modality depending on the individual condition of the patients. 

Conclusion

Triple Vessel Disease is a serious medical condition and an extreme form of Coronary Artery Disease. However, it is possible to minimize the risk and prevent such diseases by opting for a healthier lifestyle. 

In case a patient has symptoms mentioned above, they must consult a cardiologist and explore their options. When diagnosed with TVD or any other form of CAD, the choice between CABGs and Angioplasty is integral to the outcome of the disease.  Essentially the choice depends on many factors and with recent technological development more invasive CABGs may not be necessary or even advised. The choice will mainly be based on the cardiologist's and patient’s preference as well as the patient’s condition. These include diabetes, heart failure with narrowing of arteries, the feasibility of revascularization, etc.

In conclusion, a cardiologist will thoroughly examine the patient and make an informed choice. Although CABGs may be the course of treatment in many patients, it may not always be prescribed and the course of treatment can be through Angioplasty as well. 

Website: https://www.carehospitals.com/blog-detail/cad-triple-vessel-disease-tvd-does-not-mean-the-patient-will-need-bypass-surgery/  



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