Stents Show No Lasting Benefit In Heart Study

Better blood flow doesn't translate in to fewer heart attacks
By Sam Gale Rosen,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 27, 2007 8:17 AM CDT
Stents Show No Lasting Benefit In Heart Study
Heart print    ((c) zophos)

Stents used to open arteries are no more useful than conventional drug treatment for patients who haven't yet had a heart attack, a new study reveals. In more than 2,000 patients over five years, those who had surgery suffered the same number of heart attacks, strokes, and deaths as those received only drugs.

The one benefit to angioplasty? A reduction in chest pain symptoms, which also diminishes over time. Stent makers point out that the study didn't look at the new generation of medicated stents. Also, stents are still the best option for patients who have already had heart attacks, rather than those hoping to stave them off. (More angioplasty stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X