Study finds deferred stenting doesn't improve STEMI outcomes

A decade-long study reveals deferred stenting for heart attack patients offers no significant survival benefit compared to immediate stenting, though it may reduce heart failure hospitalizations. The study, following 1,215 patients, found no difference in overall mortality or heart failure hospitalizations between the two stenting approaches. Deferred stenting, however, showed a lower rate of heart failure hospitalizations. Researchers noted that the initial increased risk of needing further procedures with deferred stenting seen earlier diminished over time. The study, published in Circulation: Cardiovascular Interventions, had limitations due to its open-label design.