Drug eluting stents - a nightmare?
As a contribution to the controversial discussion for the use of drug-eluting stents, the European Heart Institute of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts is emphasizing important factors: a) drug eluting stents (DES) should be used only in accordance with their on-label indications for use; b) to avoid off-label use of DES and to assure that patients are apprized of all their revascularization options, patients should have informed consent between the patient, interventionist and a cardiac surgeon; c) without informed consent, off-label use of DES may be considered a legal offence against the interventionist; d) at onset of new symptoms, patients must be informed that surgery is a viable and recommended option.
Unger
Felix
F
European Heart Institute, European Academy of Sciences and Arts, Mönchsberg 2, 5020 Salzburg, Austria. office@european-academy.at
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology*; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000601:surgery*; D054855:Drug-Eluting Stents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005060:Europe; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009204:Myocardial Revascularization / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012008:Recurrence; D018570:Risk Assessment