study of new treatments for heart attack

[DJValentino]

Researchers agreed that the study of new treatments for heart attack patients was extremely important but more research was needed to determine that balloon angioplasty preceded with ultrasound was or was not any better for heart attack patients than the balloon procedure by itself.

A. more research was needed to determine that balloon angioplasty preceded with ultrasound was or was not any better for heart attack patients than
B. more research was needed for determining whether or not balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than is
C. that more research was needed to determine whether balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than
D. that more research was needed to determine that balloon angioplasty preceded with ultrasound was any better for heart attack patients than
E. that more research was needed for determining that balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is or is not any better for heart attack patients than is

[givemeanid]

C for me

[LegoLife]

My answer is C.

A. more research was needed to determine that balloon angioplasty preceded with ultrasound was or was not any better for heart attack patients than
B. more research was needed for determining whether or not balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than is
C. that more research was needed to determine whether balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than
D. that more research was needed to determine that balloon angioplasty preceded with ultrasound was any better for heart attack patients than
E. that more research was needed for determining that balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is or is not any better for heart attack patients than is

[mbagrad]

My answer is *C* for above mentioned reasons but I don't like *but* followed by a *that*. Any views?

Researchers agreed that the study of new treatments for heart attack patients was extremely important but that more research was needed to determine whether balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than the balloon procedure by itself.

[LegoLife]

I think the usage of "that" is very essential and is justified.

For example :

Frank agreed that the money was sufficient but (agreed) that more people were required.

"But" is a conjunction that connects two clauses that are parallel.The verb need not be repeated again in the second clause.

[mbagrad]

Thanks a lot for superb explanation, LegoLife.

[saira]

"C" it is

[DJValentino]

Reference answer is B. And I agree with it too.

The original sentence intends to compare two things:
1. balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound
2. the balloon procedure

Between B & C, only B does the comparison correctly.

Even though I don't like "for determining" and "whether or not" in B, I would still go with B since it corrects the serious error of wrong comparison.

.....more research was needed for determining whether or not balloon angioplasty preceded by ultrasound is any better for heart attack patients than is the balloon procedure by itself