ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - There is new advice for cardiac patients when it comes to deciding between getting a bypass or a stenting procedure.

A new study finds patients who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery have a lower overall risk for heart attack, stroke, and death in the four years following the procedure, compared to patients who received stents.

The chief of cardiac surgery at St. Louis University Hospital, Dr. Richard Lee, says it really depends on how bad the cardiac damage is.

“More bypasses are better for patients with more lesions. If the patients only have one lesion or two lesions…it is better to get a stent,” he said.

But Dr. Lee says either way, it is critical for patients to talk to their cardiac surgeon about what choices would be best for them.

The new study was recently presented at a conference in Los Angeles. Dr. Lee says the important thing is for patients to have an open line of communication with their doctors “because sometimes they need to know that sometimes the bypass is better and if they’re undergoing a stent, they at least should have the option to talk to a surgeon.”