Unstable Angina and Coronary Artery Disease

Nathan Laufer, MD practices at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Unstable Angina Video - Full Transcription

Text:  This video is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is not intended to provide professional medical advice or any other professional service. If medical or other professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional should be sought. Banner Health ©

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Text:  Banner Health Presents: Ask The Expert 
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Image:  Nathan Laufer, MD, speaks on-camera throughout video.

Text:     UNSTABLE ANGINA, Dr. Nathan Laufer, Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Text:    a plaque tear, a clot forms, flow ceases

Audio:  “We all know that when a plaque tears, a clot will form, which will completely obliterate flow to the heart muscle and cause scarring and damage over a period of 6-hours once the artery has shut down completely.”

Text:    clot will tear, forms surface clot, limited flow

Audio:  “However, there are a group of patients in whom the clot will tear and a clot will form on the surface that doesn’t completely obstruct flow to the coronary artery.”

Text:     Unstable Angina

Audio:  “That is a condition called unstable angina and can happen in any patient who has a plaque, even a minimal plaque, in their coronary vessel.”

Text:     UNSTABLE ANGINA

Image:   Heart and surrounding arteries

Audio:  “It is thought that this is a cause of progression of coronary artery disease in that the plaque will tear, a clot will form. That clot will get incorporated in the plaque over a period of weeks and then can tear again in a few months down the road. Another clot will form, which will again get incorporated. And it is almost like an onion-skinning that happens inside the coronary plaque and can thus cause progression over a period of months or years in a patient who, previously, may have had just minimal symptoms. If patients do come to the hospital with a sudden change of symptom…”

Text:      stable symptoms, unstable symptoms

Audio:  “…from stable exertional angina or chest pressure to somebody now who has unstable symptoms at, with minimal exertion or at rest, then these patients do get…”

Text:     emergency angiogram, stent to widen artery

Audio:  “…emergency angiograms and a stent is placed, which widens the coronary artery, and allows normal blood flow to the heart muscle before that plaque has a chance to obliterate the flow or to cause growth of that plaque over months.”

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