What Is the Schism Between Invasive and Noninvasive Cardiologists?
There is a large schism between invasive and noninvasive cardiologists in the United States. The noninvasive cardiologists claim that, every year, about 600,000 bypass surgeries are performed in the United States, which is 5 times more surgeries per capita than in other industrialized nations and 7-8 times as compared to Canada. A conservative estimate is $50,000 per surgery, representing a $30 billion business, which is shared by cardiologists, surgery centers, hospitals, and the drug and medical equipment industries. It is further alleged that the invasive parties are operating on a profit basis, and therefore, they are motivated to encourage surgical procedures, regardless of whether they are needed. It is further alleged that the invasive views are supported by large and expensive studies, basically financed by the drug industry, thus conflicting with the interest of patients. However, the invasive cardiologists are the mainstream cardiologists in the United States and consequently
