Heart News
March 28, 2007
During the American College of Cardiology’s 56th Annual Scientific Session, results from a trial known as the COURAGE trial (Clinical Outcomes Utilizing Revascularization and Aggressive Drug Evaluation) was released. This trial was performed in order to evaluate whether combining PCI (angioplasty and stents) with medication and lifestyle changes was more effective at preventing death or heart attacks than just taking medications and making lifestyle changes alone. The study evaluated 2,287 people over five years (1999 - 2004) in 50 medical centers across the United States and Canada, and concluded that in patients with stable coronary artery disease, stenting did not reduce the risk of death or heart attack when combined with drug therapy. Stenting did provide better relief of chest pain but both groups had similar rate of death, heart attack and stroke.
What does this mean for patients in the future?
Steven Nissen, M.D., Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at Cleveland Clinic, states "Patient care and safety are our first priority. Accordingly, we are committed to offering the highest standard of care based on the strongest, most compelling scientific research. We plan to thoroughly review all aspects of this study to assess if changes should be made in the evaluation and treatment of our patients, recognizing that treatment decisions are based on individual patient needs and thorough medical evaluation."
The researchers state that while it is known that PCI does improve survival when performed during a heart attack to improve blood supply to the heart muscle, this study demonstrates angioplasty and stenting do not prevent heart attacks or improve survival in stable coronary patients. The study will be published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The American College of Cardiology (www.acc.org) represents the majority of board certified cardiovascular physicians in the United States. Its mission is to advocate for quality cardiovascular care through education, research, promotion, development and application of standards and guidelines- and to influence health care policy. ACC.07 and the ACC inaugural i2 Summit, the first-ever meeting for interventional cardiologists, will bring together more than 30,000 cardiologists and cardiovascular specialists to share the newest discoveries in the treatment and prevention, while helping the ACC achieve its mission to address and improve issues in cardiovascular medicine.
© Copyright 2008 The Cleveland Clinic Foundation. All rights reserved.
