The majority of angioplasties are performed on patients with stable coronary artery disease.
And yet studies have shown that angioplasties do not have a greater benefit than medication management and lifestyle changes in this demographic, and expose patients to the risk of an interventional procedure.
The NY Times cites Miami cardiologist Michael Ozner who says, “We’ve extended the indications for surgical angioplasty and stent placement without any data to support the procedures in the vast majority of patients “” stable patients with blockages in their arteries.”
Regular readers of this blog know that money is the major reason for this.
Invasive cardiac treatments, like bypass surgery and angioplasty, cost about $60 billion annually, and are covered by insurance plans despite the questionable mortality benefit they have in patients with stable, asymptomatic heart disease. Preventive treatment, like lifestyle modification and stress management, are poorly reimbursed, if at all.
More medical care isn’t necessarily better. And this is especially relevant during these difficult economic times where we’re continually searching to control health spending.
