Surgery considerations for people who have chest pain


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Surgery considerations for people who have chest pain


Many people with heart failure who also have significant chest pain are candidates for surgery to restore blood flow (revascularization). Severe chest pain usually is a sign that large areas of heart muscle are deprived of oxygen.

Angiography is recommended unless surgery is not an option.

Factors that may indicate that the risk of surgery is too great include:

  • Other severe diseases, such as kidney failure, severe lung disease, cancer, or severe stroke.
  • A very low ejection fraction, which indicates a severely damaged and weakened heart.
  • Life expectancy (due to other diseases) of 1 year or less or advanced age.

Credits


Author Robin Parks, MS
Editor Kathleen M. Ariss, MS
Associate Editor Pat Truman
Associate Editor Terrina Vail
Primary Medical Reviewer Caroline S. Rhoads, MD

- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC

- Interventional Cardiology
Last Updated September 1, 2006

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Last updated: September 01, 2006
Author: Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By: Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Stephen Fort, MD, MRCP, FRCPC - Interventional Cardiology
Editors: Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Terrina Vail

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