Heart study: Most angioplasties not needed
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Rating
Heart study: Most angioplasties not needed
Our Review Summary
The news that stents do not prolong life or prevent heart attacks in patients with stable heart disease came as a big surprise to many this week, as the results of a large randomized clinical trial were presented at the week's American College of Cardiology meeting and published in The New England Journal of Medicine. These latest results put the use of stenting under further scrutiny, as did the recent finding that coated stents actually increase the risk of clotting.
This story accurately reports on the availability and novelty of stenting as well as the design of the current study. Furthermore, the story does give the rate of heart attack or death as 19% within 7 years for both the stent and the medication group. In addition, the story clearly states that this study was done on patients at low risk, that is, those with stable heart disease.
However, while the story does describe the cost of stenting, it does not provide the cost of the medication for comparison. Although the study mentions the risk of clotting with drug-coated stents, this is not adequate information on harms of stenting and the study does not mention any possible harms of medication.
Overall, a good job working within the usual limitations of TV news.
Criteria
Not Satisfactory
While the story does describe the cost of stenting, it does not provide the cost of the medication for comparison.
Satisfactory
The story does give the rate of heart attack or death as 19% within 7 years for both the stent and the medication group.
Not Satisfactory
Although the study mentions the risk of clotting with drug-coated stents, this is not adequate information on harms. Furthermore, the study does not mention any possible harms of medication.
Satisfactory
The story adequately describes the design of the current study.
Satisfactory
The story does not exaggerate the seriousness or prevalence of heart disease. Furthermore, the story clearly states that this study was done on patients at low risk, that is, those with stable heart disease.
Not Satisfactory
The story only quotes one cardiologist not associated with the study and gives no rationale for why he was chosen. (Is it because he's in New York and readily available?) The story could have quoted other clinicians or experts who could have provided some valuable perspective on the impact of this new development on the management of heart disease.
Satisfactory
The story does mention medication as the alternative to stenting.
Satisfactory
The story clearly states that stenting is very common in the U.S.
Satisfactory
The story clearly states that stenting is not a new idea.
Satisfactory
Because the story quotes the lead author of the study and one physician who is not related to the study, the reader can assume the story did not rely on a press release as the sole source of information.
Total Score: 7 of 10 Satisfactory
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