Gary F
Final Approach
I have been corresponding with a professional pilot who has been diagnosed with coronary artery disease. He had a cath last year which showed a couple of blockages. His cardiologist stented the one that really needed to be fixed but left a blockage near the end of the artery alone for medical management. Unfortunately, he has been advised that the FAA medical consultants will probably deny his medical due to this blockage that was not stented. This pilot had an imaging stress test with very good exercise tolerance and the pictures showed that all areas of the heart are getting good blood flow. A study has been published recently that shows it is very reasonable to treat certain blockages with medication only. I think the FAA medical consultants should allow physicians this option for at least those who only require a 3rd class certificate.
The common practice of inserting a stent to repair a narrowed artery has no benefit over standard medical care in treating stable coronary artery disease, according to a new review of randomized controlled trials published on Monday. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/h...enefits-for-coronary-artery-disease.html?_r=1
Conclusion Initial stent implantation for stable CAD shows no evidence of benefit compared with initial medical therapy for prevention of death, nonfatal MI, unplanned revascularization, or angina. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/172/4/312
The common practice of inserting a stent to repair a narrowed artery has no benefit over standard medical care in treating stable coronary artery disease, according to a new review of randomized controlled trials published on Monday. http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/28/h...enefits-for-coronary-artery-disease.html?_r=1
Conclusion Initial stent implantation for stable CAD shows no evidence of benefit compared with initial medical therapy for prevention of death, nonfatal MI, unplanned revascularization, or angina. http://archinte.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/short/172/4/312