NEW YORK, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- U.S. and Canadian researchers said clinical evidence suggests that controversial drug-eluting stents do more good than harm for some patients.

Reports that the use of the stents -- which are coated with drugs to help keep blood vessels from re-closing -- increased incidence of blood clot formation have raised concerns.

Dr. Allen Jeremias of Stony Brook University Medical Center said while an analysis of current clinical data shows a slightly higher risk of blood clot formation with drug-eluting stents, the net clinical benefit may outweigh the risks.

A Canadian study said drug-eluting stents were found to be most effective in reducing the need for repeat angioplasty procedures in patients at the highest risk for a re-narrowing of the artery around the stent, without significantly increasing the rate of death or risk of heart attack.

"This is good news, reassuring patients and cardiologists about the safety of drug-eluting stents when used in appropriate individuals." lead author Dr. Jack Tu of the Institute for Clinical Evaluative Sciences said. "Our results also suggest physicians should be selective in using drug-eluting stents, offering them to angioplasty patients who are at the highest risk for repeat cardiac procedures."

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