Coronary stents -- have they fulfilled their promise?
Article Abstract:
The use of coronary stents may ultimately benefit many patients with coronary artery disease. a stent is a small cylindrical device that is placed inside clogged arteries to open them and keep them open. Angioplasty can open arteries temporarily, but the arteries often become clogged again and patients need repeated treatments. Two 1999 studies found that stents reduced the rate of repeat treatment compared to angioplasty. Unfortunately, stents do not seem to lower mortality rates and may even raise them slightly. However, so far only 3,000 patients with coronary artery disease have received a stent and follow-up times are very short.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1999
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
An assessment of heart-valve abnormalities in obese patients taking dexfenfluramine, sustained-release dexfenfluramine, or placebo
Article Abstract:
The diet pill dexfenfluramine appears to increase the risk of heart valve insufficiency. This condition occurs when the valves do not close properly. Researchers analyzed the rate of heart valve insufficiency in 1,072 overweight people, about 700 of whom were taking dexfenfluramine and 354 were taking a placebo. The rate of aortic valve insufficiency, mitral valve insufficiency or both was 7% in the group taking dexfenfluramine and 4.5% in those taking a placebo. The aortic valve was most often affected and most patients had mild insufficiency. However, the average duration of treatment was only 72 days.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 1998
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
A paclitaxel-eluting stent for the prevention of coronary restenosis
Article Abstract:
A coronary artery stent that slowly releases small amounts of the drug paclitaxel may prevent coronary arteries from becoming blocked again after angioplasty, according to a study of 176 patients. Angioplasty is used to open blocked arteries, but they can become blocked again. A stent is a small plastic or metal cylinder that is placed inside the artery to keep it open. Paclitaxel prevents cell proliferation, which also helps keep the artery open.
Publication Name: The New England Journal of Medicine
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0028-4793
Year: 2003
User Contributions:
Comment about this article or add new information about this topic:
- Abstracts: New studies find most heart procedures are appropriate. Like doctor like patient: more and more patients choose physicians of same ethnic group, sexual preference
- Abstracts: Time & a bottle: the retirement years drive too many elderly to drink, posing a challenge for physicians. Headline hysteria
- Abstracts: Comparing the work of nurses and auxiliaries. The impact of primary nursing on patient satisfaction. Input on outcomes
- Abstracts: Critical condition: the deaths of two patients who were in desperate need of intensive carehave drawn attention to an acute bed shortage in UK ICUs
- Abstracts: Effect of combination therapy with lipid-reducing drugs in patients with coronary heart disease and "normal" cholesterol levels: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial