Angioplasty vs. Optimal Medical Treatment?

NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AP) -- More than half a million people a year with chest pain are getting an unnecessary or premature procedure to unclog their arteries because drugs are just as effective, suggests a landmark study that challenges one of the most common practices in heart care.

• Angioplasty no more effective than drug therapy in reducing chest pain

• Angioplasty didn't save lives or prevent heart attacks in non-emergencies

• Only one-third of people treated with drugs later needed angioplasty, bypass

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These results were presented at this years ACC meeting.

The study will be published in the April 12th issue of NEJM, so stay tuned!

Obtained from www.cnn.com