A flurry of recent research has raised alarm about the safety of a new generation of stents that have quickly become the most commonly used devices for treating clogged arteries, creating widespread concern about how to care for millions of heart-disease patients.

The stents, tiny drug-secreting mesh tubes used to prop coronary arteries open, appear to carry a small but significantly increased risk of causing blood clots, compared with older "bare metal" versions. That may boost the patients' chances of suffering a heart attack or dying, according to the studies, including one released yesterday.

Graphic How Stents Work A new generation of stents used to prop open blocked heart arteries slowly release drugs to keep the passageways from reclosing. But the newer devices may increase the risk of blood clots. HOLIDAY CHALLENGE VIDEO BLOG Melanie slips up and eats 12 pieces of chocolate. Meet Andy Dalal, our newest vlogger Full Holiday Challenge Page With Goals What Readers Are Saying Your Comments On... Benefits of Fish Exceed Risks, Studies Find "Although it�s nice to know that the health risks from the mercury exposure are outweighed by the health benefits of eating fish occasionally, it sure seems like we�ve gotten to a bad spot. We should stop polluting the oceans with mercury so that one day we won�t need to carefully weigh and limit fish intake based on mercury exposure.� " -- By danapaina ; � View, Add More Comments � Read the Story Lean Plate Club E-Mail Build healthy living habits for the long haul, with recipes, exercise ideas and the latest dietary guidelines. See the Latest Newsletter and Sign Up