This is not the first study to show this but the most covered by the media in my memory. Dr. Elmer Cranton for decades has presented data showing the Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting became widely performed before it proved its merit. Bypass grafts are prone to reocclusion (blockage). Percutaneous coronary catheterization procedures (heart caths, stents, angioplasty) are commonly performed when it is well known that studies have shown questionable benefit in mortality in stable angina (only providing relief of chest pain.) One cannot stent the next location of the future fatal arterial blockage as it may look normal during heart catheterization (no blockage).
I have many patients who have avoided these procedures when recommended for angina who are alive and angina free today years later.
Related Articles:
- Stents and bypass surgery are no more effective than drugs for stable heart disease, highly anticipated trial results show
- Stents and bypass surgery are no more effective than drugs for stable heart disease, highly anticipated trial results show
- Stents no better than drugs for many heart patients: U.S. study