Drug-eluting stents and the future of coronary artery bypass surgery: facts and fiction

Ann Thorac Surg. 2006 Mar;81(3):1162-71. doi: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2005.08.002.

Abstract

The treatment of patients with coronary artery disease continues to evolve. Recent, exciting data on the use of drug-eluting stents in diseased coronary vessels has generated immense enthusiasm within the interventional community leading to claims that "drug-eluting stents will put bypass surgeons out of business." However, despite promising short-term and midterm outcomes of this revolutionary new technology, valid concerns regarding long-term safety and efficacy of drug-eluting stents persist. This review article evaluates current status of drug-eluting stents with special emphasis on real and potential drawbacks of this emerging percutaneous coronary interventional modality and its impact on the practice of coronary artery bypass surgery.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cardiovascular Agents / administration & dosage
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Coronary Artery Bypass / trends*
  • Coronary Disease / drug therapy*
  • Coronary Disease / surgery*
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Stents*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents