Drug-coated stents safe for most; research continues

Contact: Brian Reardon (217) 544-6464, ext. 44306.

Prairie Heart Institute is conducting ongoing local research to address the controversy over the safety of drug-coated stents – devices placed in arteries to keep them propped open.

At issue is the risk of clots forming when drug-coated stents are implanted in sicker patients. “Our research demonstrates that there is a risk, but that risk is very small – less than one-half percent of patients a year,” says cardiologist Greg Mishkel, MD, Prairie Cardiovascular Consultants. “For most patients with blocked arteries, stents are still the best treatment, but we evaluate every patient in terms of age, overall health, type of artery narrowing and ability to comply with a complex medical regimen to determine if they may be better served by medicine or surgery.”

Dr. Mishkel notes that Prairie Heart Institute follows every patient that receives a stent to monitor long-term outcomes. “It’s part of our ongoing quality assurance and research,” he says. “We’re sharing our results with colleagues around the world through published abstracts and presentations. We expect to have more conclusive evidence in the next year or two.”

Bottom line? “There’s no question that drug-coated stents represent a huge advance in the treatment of heart disease and have benefited millions of Americans,” says Dr. Mishkel. “But until our research findings are conclusive, we are taking time to assess each patient, discuss all treatment options with patients and their families and make the decision on a case-by-case basis. For the time being, it’s important for patients with drug-eluting stents in place to maintain contact with their implanting cardiologist regarding their medication needs.”