Cardiac catheterisation

Horst-Ehrenfried Lingnau

Horst-Ehrenfried Lingnau, a 60-year-old salesman for software and hardware of agricultural machinery and father of two children, underwent heart surgery already twice. “In rather early life I was confronted with the problems of cardiovascular diseases”, says the amateur hunter from Harsewinkel mentioning the first heart attack he suffered as early as at the age of 37. “I suppose there is a severe family predisposition, but in addition to that I must confess that in the past I was a heavy smoker and that I am not exactly a flyweight with my 140 kg. After my first bypass surgery in 1987 I finally stopped smoking, but I am still struggling with my weight.“

“Recently, I have been plagued by problems again. When physical strain was involved I quickly became breathless and felt a pain in my breast. That was a clear indication for me to suspect that something was not in order. After having seen the family doctor I got an appointment in the Schüchtermann-Klinik on short notice for a cardiac catheter examination to have the extent of the narrowing of my coronary vessels examined in more detail.“

Fast and well-organised diagnostics

“The cardiac catheter examination was very well organised, from admittance to discharge. The hospital staff is prepared for all eventualities and helped me to overcome my depressed state of mind before the examination by providing understandable and specific information about the course of that examination”, describes Horst-Ehrenfried Lingnau his experiences before and during the cardiac catheter examination. “The puncture in the groin feels almost like the taking of a blood sample. Since the needle is somewhat thicker than that for a blood withdrawal, the puncture point is locally anaesthetised beforehand. The catheter itself does not cause any pain. When the catheter has reached the heart you don’t feel it anymore. After the cardiac catheter had been removed, a special compression bandage was applied on my groin and was then loosened little by little. That is why I had to lay on my back for some hours and keep the leg of the groin concerned steady.“

Therapy planning with all heart specialists

One of the 4 advanced cardiac catheter
laboratories of the Schüchtermann-Klinik
where 2,500 cardiac catheter examinations
are made every year

In the 15-minute examination it was found that the patency of all coronary vessels was severely impaired despite the stents (vascular supports made of stainless steel) still in place and the bypasses laid back then. In addition, a large aneurysm (blood-filled protrusion) of the aorta was diagnosed. “Well, from the very beginning I had suspected that something was not in order. But I had nevertheless hoped that the current problem of my coronary vessels might be eliminated by a supplementary balloon dilatation or another stent implantation“, comments Horst-Ehrenfried Lingnau on the examination result that was explained to him by associate professor Dr. Norbert Franz after the catheter examination.

“Dr. Franz explained to me why for my problem there was no cardiological solution available and that another bypass surgery with a simultaneous removal of the aneurysm in the aorta was most advisable. A third heart surgery – that was rather a shock for me and I needed a little time to sort myself out. On the other hand I was relieved to be in a hospital where cardiologists and heart surgeons work so close together to find the best and safest therapy for the patient.“

Successful surgery a few days after the cardiac catheter examination

During a 5-hour surgery the team of heart surgeons around Prof. Dr. Henning Warnecke laid a new bypass and replaced the pathologically expanded section of the aorta by a tube graft equipped with an artificial cardiac valve. “I am very happy that all went so well”, says Horst-Ehrenfried Lingnau a few days after the major surgery. “The subsequent rehabilitation will help me become fit again for my family, my work and the raised hide – that’s what I am looking forward to.“