Do you really need a stent?

A still of an angiogram showing where the right coronary artery is blocked in a heart attack patient. While unstable CAD patients, like this one, require an intervention, those with stable disease do just as well on medication. — Dr Timothy Watson

The cardiology world is abuzz with the revelation of yet another clinical trial that has shown no added advantage with balloon angioplasty, compared to optimal medical therapy, in the treatment of patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD).

After a decade of study, the results of the International Study of Comparative Health Effectiveness With Medical and Invasive Approaches (Ischemia) Trial were revealed at the American Heart Association Scientific Meeting 2019 in mid-November.