Surgery for Blocked Arteries Is Often Unnecessary, Says Study

Surgery for Blocked Arteries
Is Often Unnecessary, Says Study.
The study known as Ischemia followed
5,179 participants for a median time
span of three and a half years.
It is the largest study of its kind.
The federal study focused on patients who
were treated for non-emergency blocked
arteries with stint or bypass surgeries and
patients who were treated with medication alone.
The study found that deaths
occurring after stint or bypass
surgery reached 145 people.
Deaths among those
who were treated with only
medication reached 144.
276 of those in the stint and
bypass group suffered heart attacks
compared to 314 of those who
were treated with medication.
Many doctors expected that stents or bypass
would benefit those with severe chest pain or
blockages. But according to the study, "there
was no suggestion that any subgroup benefited.".
Doctors say the
study "certainly will
challenge our clinical thinking."