Bypass surgery is Better than Stents?

Bypass surgery is Better than Stents?

In patients with blocked heart arteries, bypass surgery is considered will give better results than angiplasti plus stent, and surgery became the standard procedure. Thus the results of an international study. However, that assessment is disputed by a cardiologist who is also involved in the study and an expert who wrote an accompanying editorial.

According to them, the advantages and disadvantages of both procedures is balanced, that a decision on which one to use depends on the case with the patient.

The study, published in the journal New England Journal of Medicine, the March mengiukutsertakan 1,800 people who have a blockage in a coronary artery or three major coronary arteries. Half of the patients undergoing bypass surgery, and half underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or angioplasty combined with stenting. Over the next year, as much as 17.8 percent of those who had the stent procedure had "major adverse cardiac" or "cerebrovascular events" than those who underwent bypass procedures. The results stated that the superiority of surgery.

"But the important point is to look at other factors," said Dr.. David R. Holmes Jr.., Professor Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Medicine, and doctors who are also doctors who are involved in this study. The death rate and okuren major coronary events such as heart attacks were the same in both groups. The only big difference is the need for repeat artery-opening procedures: 13.5 percent in the stent group and 5.9 in the bypass group. Other findings, there is a risk for experiencing a stroke are higher in the bypass group by 2.2 percent compared to 0.6 percent in the PCI group.

The discovery was quite a relief to those who refuse to undergo bypass surgery. With the study doctor can provide a variety of data, but the patient who decides the choice.

However, according to Dr. L. David Hillis, chairman of the department of medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, there are many situations when decisions must be made by the doctor. Patients who are unable or unwilling to take anti-drugs such as aspirin or plavix blockages, not suitable to undergo the procedure sten, and should be required to undergo bypass surgery. In addition, it also applies to patients who have illnesses that increase the risk if surgery is performed, such as a bad lung condition. "The condition found in 5 to 10 percent of cases," said Hillis.

Another report in the journal reinforces the findings on a study conducted two years ago, that drug therapy is as effective as stents given action after a few days or weeks after the patient had a heart attack. Now, a new study conducted at Duke University physician, found that stents led to an improvement of quality of life is temporary but long-term benefits not unlike the drug therapy.