A question for anyone in the medical field

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by Despare

As far as I've known that device is a small screen, they go into an artery and inflate an angioplasty balloon with a stent around it. They remove the ballon but the sten stays in place keeping the artery open and letting blood flow freely.


_V_ is right, your Aunt's health is what's really important and I wish her well. Let's hope the medical team is good.

Thanks, Despare, I appreciate that.

[_____V_____]

Originally Posted by hammerfan

Thanks, Avi. I try not to call my cousin because I know she's dealing with a lot of stuff right now. My Mom has a very large family - she's 1 of 12 kids, 10 of which are still alive. I just wait to hear from my uncle or my other aunt who's down in Florida with the sick aunt. But the waiting is very difficult........

I know how that goes, hon. Dont worry, all will be well.

Try to keep in contact with them.

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by _____V_____

I know how that goes, hon. Dont worry, all will be well.

Try to keep in contact with them.

My uncle is the main one that gives me updates on her. This is the uncle I visited in September in upstate New York.

[Posher778]

She needs penicillin. Then SUE the FUCK out of those bitches if you decide it's negligence. The worst thing in this world is when people who are supposed to save your life end it.

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by Posher778

She needs penicillin. Then SUE the FUCK out of those bitches if you decide it's negligence. The worst thing in this world is when people who are supposed to save your life end it.

It's up to my cousin to sue them if it comes to that. It's been such a rollercoaster ride with her ever since the neck bypass. I'm tired of riding and want to get off now, please, thank you.

Thanks, Posher.

[pinkfloyd45769]

Sorry to hear this Hammer.When i worked in a nursing home we seen this kinda thing all the time.Patients would come from other nursing homes with it due to neglect most of the time.Its not always the reason though.I hope she gets better!

[hammerfan]

Originally Posted by pinkfloyd45769

Sorry to hear this Hammer.When i worked in a nursing home we seen this kinda thing all the time.Patients would come from other nursing homes with it due to neglect most of the time.Its not always the reason though.I hope she gets better!

Thanks, pink. I've been sitting at my desk here at work getting myself all worked up about her - I gotta calm down!

[jenna26]

So sorry to hear this. I hope that she is now getting the best care possible and she gets better. All my best to her and your family.

[hammerfan]

Thanks, jenna. I appreciate it.

[ManchestrMorgue]

Gangrene is caused by death of tissue (ie tissue necrosis).

It can be caused by infection, but is very often caused by tissue ischaemia (insufficient blood flow to tissue). This can either be microvascular or macrovascular. Often ischaemia is due to atheromatous plaques (blockages in the vessels) but it can also be caused by vasculitis or other causes of blocking or narrowing of blood vessels (eg sickle cell anaemia).

People with diabetes mellitus are at extra risk of both microvascular and macrovascular insufficiency. Smokers are also at greater risk. Naturally, people with vascular disease in other parts of the body (eg ischaemic heart disease or carotid artery stenosis) are usually at risk of ischaemic disease in other parts of the body.

If they tried to use a stent, it would indicate to me that there was probably some macrovascular disease (ie atheroma in one of the arteries supplying the foot). Stents are useful if the atheromatous plaque is reasonably discrete, but if there is extensive narrowing, a stent is probably not going to do the trick.

If it is possible to bypass the blockages, a bypass graft can be attempted, but that depends on again the extensiveness of the disease and the physical health of the patient (ie is the risk of a longish and complex operation greater than the expected benefit).

So the gangrene may or may not have been a result of 'negligence'. I really don't think we can say without all the facts.