Article: Drug-coated stents to open arteries found superior; In study, blockages recur less often than when using older, bare-metal devices

Drug-coated stents, the coil-like metal devices that prop open blocked arteries, appear to be superior to older, bare-metal stents for treating heart attacks, according to a new study.

The finding is the first randomized trial showing a clear benefit with drug-coated stents in an emergency setting, although some doctors already have been using the revolutionary devices to treat heart attacks.

"Our study extends previous knowledge showing that . . . drug- eluting stents are more effective and probably are as safe as bare- metal stents," said lead author Marco Valgimigli, chairman of cardiology at the University of Ferrara Cardiovascular Institute in Ferrara, Italy.

Several trials have showed ...

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