Narrowing of the coronary arteries can disrupt blood flow to the heart. This can lead to reduced pumping function of the heart. The narrowing can be treated by angioplasty or bypass surgery. Both procedures have advantages and disadvantages. Doctors often choose a particular treatment based on considerations that have not been proven.
That is why the STICH 3.0-NL study will investigate whether one of the two treatments is clinically more beneficial in the long term. This concerns situations in which a patient is eligible for both treatments. The patients in the study will undergo one of the two treatments, as described in the current protocols. They will be followed up for four years after the procedure.
The researchers will not only look at mortality, the occurrence of a heart attack or stroke. Quality of life is also an important parameter. In addition, they will look at the need for additional surgery and the number of hospital admissions.
All Dutch heart centres, both academic and large non-academic hospitals with cardiac surgery departments, are being approached to participate. A total of 358 Dutch patients can participate. The study is part of an international consortium. Similar studies are being conducted in Sweden, the United Kingdom and Canada.
Through its Clinical Study Programme, the Dutch Heart Foundation co-finances clinical studies that contribute to the earlier detection and faster and better treatment of cardiovascular disease.
