A comparison of coronary-artery stenting with angioplasty for isolated stenosis of the proximal left anterior descending coronary artery

Article Abstract:

Surgical stents seem to be a better treatment for isolated blockages in the coronary arteries than angioplasty. A stent is a small cylinder that is placed in the artery to keep it open. Researchers randomly assigned 120 patients with a blockage in the left anterior descending coronary artery to receive angioplasty or a stent. Both treatments were equally successful in opening the blockage. However, 87% of the stent group survived 12 months without having a heart attack or other coronary event compared to 70% of the angioplasty group. The blockage re-occurred in 19% of the stent group compared to 40% of the angioplasty group.

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Stent placement compared with balloon angioplasty for obstructed coronary bypass grafts

Article Abstract:

The placement of a stent in coronary arteries that have become blocked again after coronary artery bypass seems to be better than balloon angioplasty in some ways. A stent is a small cylinder placed in the artery to keep it open. In a group of 220 patients who had received a coronary bypass, those who received a stent were more likely to benefit than those who received balloon angioplasty. This is another technique to open blocked arteries. However, the stent was more likely to cause hemorrhage and it did not reduce the rate of re-blockage in the arteries six months later compared to angioplasty.

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Improved clinical outcome after widespread use of coronary-artery stenting in Canada

Article Abstract:

Patients who receive a stent to open clogged coronary arteries and keep them open are less likely to need further treatment. A stent is a small cylindrical device that is placed inside arteries to treat coronary artery disease. Angioplasty is also used for this purpose, but the artery can become clogged again, leading to repeat angioplasties. In a study of 9,594 procedures using angioplasty or a stent, patients who received the stent were less likely to need repeat treatments than those who received angioplasty.

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