Cardiologists Challenge Coronary Stent Overuse Report
A report by the Lown Institute claims that 1 in 5 stents placed in Medicare recipients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) were considered "overuse." The report suggests that hospitals performed over 229,000 unnecessary stent placements, costing Medicare up to $2.4 billion from 2019 to 2021. Cardiologists have criticized the report, arguing that the definition of overuse is flawed and ignores appropriate use criteria and clinical information. They emphasize the importance of considering individual patient factors and symptoms when determining the need for stent placement. The report has sparked discussions about the appropriateness of stent use and the need for improved assessment methods.
