IRVING, Texas, July 16 (UPI) -- Drug-coated artery stents, which took a hit in the United States because of safety concerns, appear to be making a comeback, a survey of hospitals indicates.
Seventy-three percent of stent procedures in the United States used a coated stent in June, the Goodroe Data Warehouse unit of VHA Inc. indicated, The Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.
The percentage -- up from a several-years low of 62 percent in December -- was based on a survey of 60 U.S. hospitals, the Irving, Texas, company said.
Coronary stents are tiny devices that can relieve chest pains by opening clogged arteries. Drug-coated stents prevent scar tissue from re-clogging an artery and cost about $2,000, double the cost of uncoated stents, the Journal said.
In 2006, several studies suggested using coated stents could lead to the formation of often deadly blood clots years after an implant. The studies triggered medical societies to revise guidelines and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to tighten standards.
"People initially had a wave of shock" about safety issues, said Dr. William O'Neill, a cardiologist at the University of Miami medical school. "Since then, I think there's been a more sober appraisal, and the final reality's coming out."
