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Where you live could influence the kind of heart surgery you receive, and a new report says there should be more consistency within Ontario hospitals. The study looked at angioplasty versus bypass surgery for the treatment of narrowing of the arteries. Angioplasty uses a balloon to open blocked vessels, while bypass surgery involves grafting healthy vessels from another part of the body. The study found the lowest difference in ratios for the procedures were in London and Windsor. The highest difference in ratios were in Sault Sainte Marie, Sudbury and Ottawa.
Researchers say province-wide the cardiologist performing the angiogram during diagnosis appeared to be the key in determining the type of treatment the patient received.