Clogged Arteries

Patient Clinical Summary

Patient Name: Edinburgh
Date of admission: 2007


The patient initially presented complaining of constraints on economic growth. Further investigations including a detailed scan suggested that the cause was clogged arterial routes. The patient was encouraged to modify behaviour by means of a congestion charge, but rejected this option. The only remaining choice is the invasive insertion of tram line material to increase arterial flow. We recommended use of only local anaesthetic, and temporary diversion of flow. Furthermore, the surgeon keeps irregular and infrequent hours so the procedure will be rather drawn out. This will be considerably more traumatic for the patient, but is appropriate given that the patient refused the congestion charge previously offered.

The procedure has now been ongoing for over 2 years and progress has not been swift. The patient is largely crippled during the procedure, but is conscious and complaining vigorously. At the present time, only a very small part of the insertion of the flow improving tram lines has been completed, but the patient will experience no beneficial effect until the procedure is completed. Figure 1 (above) shows one incision, illustrating the many parts of the patients guts that must be moved out of the way prior to insertion of tram lines commencing. Unfortunately the surgeon is not working today, and we're all just hopeing he remembers how to put it all back together again when he gets back next week.

Overall the prognosis for the patient is not good. After this invasive procedure lasting many years the tram line flow improvement will be minimal, largely replacing the previous well respected bus implant, the benefits of which will be seriously reduced. The procedure will also leave considerable scarring on the skin of the patient, and some extremities (particularly those of the small business variety) may not survive and may have to be excised.