Are angioplasties or bypass surgeries more common in Singapore, and why?

Doctor's Answer

In general the number of heart bypass surgeries has been falling globally as heart angioplasty (heart stent) technology has improved in leaps and bounds especially over the last decade.

Surgical techniques have also improved and newer techniques such as off-pump bypass or MIDCAB are available.

However, the reason why angioplasties are more popular are because of the quick recovery and absence of the need for open surgery though there maybe a need for repeat procedures.

Patients however, have been voting with their feet for coronary angioplasty even when aware of both the upside and downside of either option and this is a universal phenomenon.

Bypass surgery has less upstream advantages, but in certain circumstances has a longer-term benefit such as in complex extensive disease in many vessels with poor heart function or diabetes.

This strategy however is not always a given and individual patients may need consideration by the heart team – comprising of both cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, family physician and any other related specialist involved in care, along with patient for deciding the optimal strategy.

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