Heart study casts further doubt on stents, bypass

A new study suggests stents and bypass operations may be unnecessary or premature for people with severe but stable heart disease.

Why it matters: "The results challenge medical dogma and call into question some of the most common practices in heart care," the AP reports.

Our thought bubble: Stents had already been considered unnecessary for many patients, and this study raises serious questions about whether invasive procedure like stents and bypass surgery should be used instead of basic drugs for stable patients with heart problems.

Go deeper:

• Surgery for Blocked Arteries Is Often Unwarranted, Researchers Find (NY Times)
• Stents and bypass surgery are no more effective than drugs for stable heart disease, highly anticipated trial results show