IF WE NEEDED STENTS WE'D EVOLVE THEM:

Study finds heart procedure benefits few (MARILYNN MARCHIONE, 3/27/07, The Associated Press)

More than half a million people a year with chest pain are getting an unnecessary or premature procedure to unclog their arteries because drugs are just as effective, suggests a landmark study that challenges one of the most common practices in heart care.

The stunning results found that angioplasty did not save lives or prevent heart attacks in non-emergency heart patients.

An even bigger surprise: Angioplasty gave only slight and temporary relief from chest pain, the main reason it is done.