Which is better stent or bypass?

As a cardiovascular specialist with extensive experience in both percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), I can provide you with a detailed comparison of the two procedures. It's important to note that the choice between a stent and bypass surgery is not a one-size-fits-all decision. The best approach depends on several factors, including the patient's overall health, the number and location of blocked arteries, and the complexity of the heart disease. Stenting, or PCI, is a minimally invasive procedure where a small mesh tube called a stent is inserted into a narrowed or blocked artery to help keep it open. This procedure is often chosen for patients with fewer health issues and single-vessel or double-vessel disease. On the other hand, CABG is a more extensive surgery that involves using a graft to bypass the blocked artery or arteries. This surgery is often recommended for patients with more severe or complex heart disease, particularly those with multiple narrowed arteries or blockages in the left main coronary artery. According to past studies, patients with multiple narrowed arteries have shown to have better outcomes with CABG compared to PCI with stenting. However, each case is unique, and the decision should be made in consultation with a healthcare professional who can evaluate the patient's specific circumstances.

The findings echo past studies, which have shown patients with multiple narrowed arteries have better outcomes with coronary artery bypass grafting, also known as CABG or heart bypass surgery, than with angioplasty, also known as percutaneous coronary intervention or PCI, a less-invasive option in which a stent is ...