Drug-eluting stents： is it the beginning of the end for coronary artery bypass surgery？
摘要
Myocardial revascularization therapy of coronary artery disease is one of the most important medical advances of the past 50 years.1 Coronary revascularization by either bypass surgery or coronary angioplasty relieves angina and may improve the prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease.2,3 Randomized comparisons reveal no difference in survival free from myocardial infarction (MI) between surgery and balloon angioplasty.4,5 Stenting significantly improved the long-term outcome, while surgery is still associated with fewer reinterventions during follow-up.6-10 However, subsequent improvements in both percutaneous and surgical techniques may now limit the validity of any conclusions that have been drawn from the earlier studies. In fact, the lines of demarcation for patients suited for bypass or angioplasty are becoming blurry with each passing day.