Feds stop brain stent stroke study after failures

The federal study found these stents actually did more harm than good and was abruptly ended.

The New York Times: Study Is Ended As A Stent Fails To Stop Strokes
A promising but expensive device to prop open blocked arteries in the brain in the hope of preventing disabling or fatal strokes failed in a rigorous study, researchers reported on Wednesday. Those who got the device actually had so many more strokes than those assigned to control risk factors, like blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes, that the study was abruptly terminated (Kolata, 9/7).

The Washington Post: 'Brain Stents' For Stroke Patients Do More Harm Than Good, Study Shows
A new federal study Wednesday dimmed hopes for a significant advance in stroke treatment but encouraged public health experts by demonstrating how to check the seemingly irresistible idea that the newest, most expensive medical tool is always best (Stein, 9/7).