A new study published in The New England Journal of Medicine suggests that more than 50,000 unnecessary angioplasties are performed each year in the U.S. The study, which examined outcomes for 2,166 patients, concluded that angioplasties made no difference in outcomes if they were performed more than three days after a heart attack. Monitored patients got two alternate course of treatment; one half got drug therapy, angioplasty and a stent [1], while the other half was treated solely with drugs. There appeared to be no statistical difference in outcomes between the two groups. Meanwhile, patients receiving stents after four years had a slightly higher chance of experiencing another heart attack, researchers found.
For more details on the study:
- read this Forbes article [2]
Related Articles:
Debate surrounds elective angioplasties. Report [3]
Ohio town's docs have highest angioplasty rate. Report [4]
Drug-coated stent use declines at top cardiac centers. Article [5]
Links:
[1] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/node/4122
[2] http://www.forbes.com/business/2006/11/14/cardiology-stents-procedures-biz-cz_mh_1114stents.html
[3] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/debate-surrounds-elective-angioplasties/2006-09-06
[4] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/ohio-town-s-docs-have-highest-angioplasty-rate/2006-08-18
[5] http://www.fiercehealthcare.com/story/decline-in-drug-coated-stent-use-at-top-cardiac-centers/2006-06-22