Should angioplasty fall out of favor?
USA Today had an interesting story yesterday about how the popularity of angioplasty, a commonly performed procedure in which doctors use a balloon to open blocked coronary arteries, may be eroding.
“The rise of angioplasty procedures has leveled off and appears to be on the decline,” Duke University’s Eric Peterson, who reviewed results of the analysis by the National Cardiovascular Data Registry, told the newspaper.
Three studies in the last two years that indicate that angioplasty may be no more beneficial than medication, and may be riskier. According to the newspaper, the research suggests angioplasty is used too often and its benefits don’t justify the procedure’s $10,000 to $12,000 cost.
The newspaper’s analyses found:
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The number of annual procedures performed each year has declined by 10% to 15% over the last two years.
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Angioplasty and stent use began dropping in June 2006, after two “landmark” studies cast doubt on them. Doctors often implant stents — both bare metal and drug-coated — after angioplasty to keep the artery open.
Angioplasty is used to treat the terrible chest pain, called angina, that comes from a heart without enough oxygen. The slight decline is important because Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines seek to have angioplasty available within 90 minutes of a patient’s arrival at the hospital. This is often called door-to-balloon time.
Many medical authorities tout the benefits of angioplasty.
Because hearts suffer from an inadequate blood supply, Bonnie Weiner, president of the Society for Coronary Angiography, told the newspaper, “(Angioplasty) is very effective at achieving more blood flow to the heart.”
“I personally wasn’t surprised by the results,” says Michael Rich, a cardiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis who will debate the study at the heart meeting.
Michael Rich, a cardiologist at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, said angioplasty won’t prolong a person’s life or decrease the risk of a heart attack but will decrease the symptoms of one.
“The analyses conducted for the newspaper also reflect what may be the beginning of a broader change in medicine: a move toward ‘evidence-based’ care drawing on reams of data from medical research and patient treatment,” USA Today reported.
Jeff Raymond, Medical Writer
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Thanks, I found this post to be actually quite helpful.