A LAD lesion refers to a blockage or narrowing in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery, a major blood vessel supplying blood to the heart.
Understanding LAD Lesions
Here's a breakdown to help understand LAD lesions:
- LAD Artery: The LAD is a crucial branch of the left coronary artery. It supplies a significant portion of the left ventricle, the heart's main pumping chamber.
- Lesion: In this context, a lesion signifies damage or abnormality in the artery. This usually refers to plaque buildup (atherosclerosis) that narrows the artery.
According to the provided reference:
- Proximal LAD lesions (lesions located closer to the origin of the LAD) often impact a large portion of the left ventricle, relative to lesions in other coronary arteries. This makes them potentially more serious.
Why are LAD Lesions Important?
Because the LAD artery supplies a large part of the heart muscle, blockages in this artery can lead to serious consequences, including:
- Angina (chest pain): Reduced blood flow causes chest pain, especially during exertion.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Complete blockage can cause heart muscle damage or death.
- Heart Failure: Long-term reduced blood flow can weaken the heart muscle.
Treatment Options
Treatment for LAD lesions depends on the severity and location of the blockage. Common approaches include:
- Medications: To manage risk factors and improve blood flow.
- Angioplasty and Stenting: A minimally invasive procedure to open the blocked artery and insert a stent to keep it open.
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG): A surgical procedure to bypass the blocked artery using a graft.
