Unnecessary Stent Procedures: What You Need to Know and How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

In the world of modern medicine, we often take comfort in the assumption that doctors and hospitals always act in our best interest, but in some unfortunate cases, the medical system puts profit before patient care. 

One alarming example of this is the performance of unnecessary stent procedures, a type of cardiac intervention that may be recommended or performed without a legitimate medical need.

Stents can save lives when properly used, but when abused, they can cause physical harm, financial strain, and emotional distress. 

If you or a loved one has undergone an unnecessary stent procedure, you may have legal grounds to pursue justice and compensation. At Morgan & Morgan, we fight For the People, not the powerful, and that includes standing up to negligent healthcare providers and hospital systems.

Hiring one of our lawyers is easy, and you can get started in minutes with a free case evaluation.

What Is a Stent Procedure?

A stent is a small, mesh-like tube inserted into a blocked or narrowed artery to help keep it open and restore blood flow. Most commonly, stents are used during angioplasty procedures to treat coronary artery disease (CAD), where fatty deposits (plaques) clog the arteries of the heart.

The procedure can be life-saving for patients experiencing symptoms of heart attack or severe chest pain (angina). However, not every case of arterial blockage requires a stent. In fact, many mild to moderate blockages can be managed with lifestyle changes, medication, and non-invasive treatments.

This is where the danger of unnecessary procedures comes in: patients who could have safely avoided surgery may be subjected to invasive and risky treatment for no legitimate medical reason.

The Rise of Unnecessary Stent Procedures

Over the past two decades, numerous studies and high-profile cases have raised red flags about the overuse of stents in American healthcare. Some of the most disturbing findings include:

• A 2007 study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that in patients with stable coronary artery disease, stents did not reduce the risk of heart attack or death compared to medication alone.
• In 2012, the New York Times reported that some Florida hospitals owned by HCA Holdings Inc. performed cardiac catheterization and stent placements in patients who did not need them, citing several cardiologists at Lawnwood Medical Center, Regional Medical Bayonet Point, and other HCA-owned hospitals in Florida. The alleged hospitals performed these procedures without justification as a way to increase hospital profits. This practice has reportedly contributed significantly to HCA’s bottom line over the past several years, while otherwise healthy patients have been subjected to unnecessary and potentially dangerous procedures.
• In 2013, the Department of Justice reached a $4 million settlement with a Maryland hospital over allegations that it performed unnecessary cardiac stent procedures on hundreds of patients.
• In 2020, a whistleblower lawsuit revealed that a doctor at a major hospital was inserting stents in patients who did not meet medical criteria, leading to complications and even death.

These incidents are not isolated. Experts estimate that up to 20% of all stent procedures performed in the U.S. may be unnecessary.

Why Are Unnecessary Stents Performed?

Unnecessary medical procedures can occur for several reasons, including:

Financial Incentives

Stent procedures are expensive. Hospitals and doctors may be paid thousands of dollars for a single operation. In some cases, unscrupulous providers exploit the system, prioritizing profits over patient care.

Misdiagnosis or Misrepresentation

A physician might incorrectly interpret test results, exaggerate the severity of a blockage, or fail to present non-invasive alternatives to the patient.

Lack of Oversight

In some hospital systems, there is little to no review of how or why certain procedures are recommended. Without peer review or accountability, bad practices can go unchecked for years.

Pressure to Act

Doctors may feel compelled to “do something” in response to a patient's symptoms, even if conservative treatment would be equally effective. This culture of overtreatment can lead to unnecessary procedures.

The Risks of Unnecessary Stenting

Every medical procedure comes with risk, and stent insertion is no exception. While generally safe when medically indicated, stenting carries significant risks when performed without necessity, including:

• Bleeding or infection at the catheter insertion site
• Allergic reactions to contrast dye or medications
• Blood clots or restenosis (re-narrowing) of the artery
• Heart attack or stroke
• Unnecessary long-term medication, including blood thinners that increase the risk of bleeding complications

Beyond the physical consequences, many patients suffer emotional trauma from believing they were in grave danger or worse, from experiencing complications that could have been avoided.

How to Know if Your Stent Was Unnecessary

Many patients are shocked to learn, sometimes years later, that their stent procedure may not have been medically justified. If you’re concerned that you or a loved one received an unnecessary stent, consider the following red flags:

• Lack of symptoms prior to the procedure
• Pressure to undergo surgery quickly, without a second opinion
• Minimal or no improvement in symptoms after the procedure
• No explanation of alternatives such as medication or lifestyle changes
• Discovery that your doctor has a history of overusing stents or facing lawsuits

If any of these apply to you, it’s worth having your case reviewed by an independent medical expert or legal professional.

Legal Grounds for a Lawsuit

At Morgan & Morgan, we believe patients should not have to suffer because of fraudulent, negligent, or profit-driven medical practices. If you underwent an unnecessary stent procedure, you may be eligible to file a lawsuit based on:

Medical Malpractice

If your doctor failed to meet the standard of care (for example, by performing a stent procedure that no reasonable cardiologist would recommend under your circumstances), you may have a case for malpractice.

Informed Consent Violations

Doctors are legally obligated to inform patients of the risks, benefits, and alternatives to a procedure. If you weren’t told that medication or lifestyle changes could be an option, or if you were misled about the urgency of your condition, your consent may not have been truly informed.

Fraud or False Claims

If a provider billed Medicare, Medicaid, or private insurance for unnecessary procedures, this could constitute healthcare fraud. Whistleblower laws or False Claims Act provisions may come into play in these cases.

What Compensation Can I Recover?

If successful, a lawsuit for an unnecessary stent procedure could result in compensation for:

• Medical expenses, including the cost of the stent procedure and any complications or follow-up care
• Lost wages and diminished earning capacity
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Punitive damages in cases of egregious misconduct
• Wrongful death damages, if a loved one passed away due to a related complication

Each case is unique, but the potential for substantial compensation is real, especially when hospitals or doctors have shown a pattern of bad behavior.

How Morgan & Morgan Can Help

Filing a lawsuit against a doctor or hospital can feel daunting, but with Morgan & Morgan, you have a reliable advocate in your corner. 

We have a nationwide reach, with over 1,000 lawyers, law offices in every state, and thousands of staff members ready to fight for you. With a proven track record, recovering more than $25 billion for our clients, Morgan & Morgan has the medical malpractice expertise, size, and resources to go after even the largest hospitals and healthcare providers for unnecessary procedures and cardiac care.

We understand the emotional toll that medical betrayal can take. That’s why we fight so hard to hold negligent providers accountable, so that patients can recover with dignity and peace of mind.

The decision to trust a doctor with your health is one of the most vulnerable choices a person can make. When that trust is broken, the damage runs deep. If you or a loved one believes you were subjected to an unnecessary stent procedure, contact us today for a free, confidential case evaluation.