What is an occluded LAD?

A widowmaker heart attack is a type of heart attack that’s caused by a 100 percent blockage of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. It’s also sometimes referred to as a chronic total obstruction (CTO). The LAD artery carries fresh blood into the heart so that the heart gets the oxygen it needs to pump properly.

What is the distal LAD?

The distal segment is from the halfway point to the apex. The length of the LAD usually measures approximately 10 cm to 13 cm long. Branches of the LAD are called diagonal branches and septal perforator branches.

What is stenting to LAD?

If the LAD disease is determined to be significant then a stent is often used to relieve the blockage. Sometimes bypass surgery is advised, and usually a vessel called the LIMA (left internal mammary artery) is used as the bypass vessel and is associated with very good long-term results.

What is LAD coronary artery calcification?

Coronary artery calcification is calcium buildup within the walls of the arteries that supply oxygen-rich blood to the heart. This calcium causes the walls to become more hardened, as seen with atherosclerosis.

What percentage of LAD blockage requires a stent?

By clinical guidelines, an artery should be clogged at least 70 percent before a stent should be placed, Resar said. “A 50 percent blockage doesn’t need to be stented,” he said.

How long do stents last in LAD?

How long will a stent last? It is permanent. There is just a 2–3 per cent risk of narrowing coming back, and if that happens it is usually within 6–9 months. If it does, it can potentially be treated with another stent.

What is LAD cardiac?

The left anterior descending artery (LAD) is the largest coronary artery runs anterior to the interventricular septum in the anterior interventricular groove, extending from the base of the heart to the apex. The LAD gives two sets of branches.

What is a high coronary calcium score?

A score of 100 to 300 means moderate plaque deposits. It’s associated with a relatively high risk of a heart attack or other heart disease over the next three to five years. A score greater than 300 is a sign of very high to severe disease and heart attack risk.