My uncle recently had angioplasty done. For those who are not really sure about what this procedure is, it is where the surgeons unclog the arteries through non-surgical methods. I am not exactly sure as to the specifics of the procedure but all I know is that they break up the blood clots and then leave stents in the arteries to keep them open.
Anyhow, the general belief is that angioplasty produces much better results than merely taking medication. This is one reason that my uncle preferred to undergo the procedure. A recent study, however, shows evidence to the contrary. According to a report at MSN Health:
There are some advantages to artery-opening angioplasty over drug treatment for people with heart disease, but those advantages disappear within three years, according to the latest report on a pivotal study on the subject.
Angioplasty does offer a higher quality of life for months to a couple of years, said study leader Dr. William S. Weintraub, chief of cardiology at the Christiana Health Care System in Delaware.
Simply put, angioplasty DOES offer better results within the first 3 years after the operation. After this period of time, though, the results are basically the same. So why would one want to pay a lot for angioplasty? Well, I saw the HUGE difference in my uncle right after he had his done. I am sure that the comfort that he is experiencing (and will be experiencing in the next couple of years) is well worth the money spent on the procedure.
Originally posted on August 14, 2008 @ 10:12 am