"A blood clot formed after the first surgery, a complication affecting 0.5% to 1% of patients with stents."
Tommy Bell, a 62-year-old transport worker at AdventHealth DeLand Hospital, experienced three heart attacks over four days in November 2023 following a procedure to place a stent in his blocked artery.
The Timeline of Events
On the day before Thanksgiving, Bell felt mild chest pain and went to the emergency room. Tests revealed a blockage in his "widowmaker" artery and calcification around his heart.
Doctors scheduled a stent placement, which occurred the day after Thanksgiving. Shortly after the procedure, Bell suffered a heart attack.
A second stent was placed, and Bell was discharged on Sunday after Thanksgiving. The next morning, he experienced pain and was readmitted. He had two more heart attacks.
The Medical Response
Interventional cardiologist Dr. Janak Bhavsar explained that a blood clot formed after the first surgery—a complication affecting 0.5% to 1% of patients with stents. The presence of significant calcium around the artery likely contributed.
To address the calcium, doctors performed intracoronary lithotripsy to break up calcium deposits and placed a second stent. Bell was also put on blood thinners.
Bell recovered in the hospital for several days and received support from hospital staff.
Recovery and Lifestyle Changes
After two weeks of home recovery, Bell returned to work. He consulted with dietary teams to adjust his diet, focusing on leaner meats and salads, and reducing salt and cholesterol intake. He will continue follow-up appointments with Dr. Bhavsar.
Background
Bell had worked at the hospital for over 10 years. Prior to the incident, he did not smoke or drink, ate reasonably well, and walked over 10,000 steps daily at work. He acknowledged that earlier dietary choices, including frequent fast food in his 20s and 30s, contributed to his condition.