In recent years considerable progress and new developments in diagnostic and interventional cardiology have been observed, such as balloon angioplasty of coronary artery stenoses, reperfusion techniques in acute myocardial infarction, new pacing, and cardioversion-defibrillation techniques in ventricular tachyar rhythmias. On 5-8 May, 1985, an international symposium on 'Invasive Cardio vascular Therapy' was held in Cologne, which provided a survey on the experi ment l and routine therapeutic measures presently available and practiced in cardiovascular medicine. This volume is based on the oral presentations given during the symposium. In five chapters the most important traditional and new interventional techniques are discussed by experts in the field. Chapter I contains a description of results from catheter palliation of congeni tal shunt disorders or relief of congenital pulmonary or aortic valve stenoses as well as the recent experience with surgical repair of single ventricle, Fallot's tetralogy and tricuspid atresia. Chapter II presents the surgical results of valve replacement with different valve prostheses in acquired valvular disease, the surgical management of bacte rial endocarditis, as well as the various techniques of partial transient left heart support devices and of cardiac transplantation. In chapter III, the invasive management of chronic coronary heart disease, peripheral vascular disease by balloon catheter or laser techniques, and the surgical approach to coronary heart disease are discussed."

This book is a comprehensive overview of electrocardiography and the major effects of current cardiac pharmacological therapy on electrocardiography. The text is based on work presented at the International Symposium on Non-invasive Cardiovascular Diagnosis and Therapy, held in May, 1987 at the University of Cologne. The theme of the book is to review, in broad clinical perspective the current state-of-the-art of electrocardiography as it pertains to standard electrocar diograms, exercise testing, ambulatory electrocardiography, electrocardiographic telemetry, and high resolution electrocardiography. Furthermore, advance , in cardiac drug therapy in relation to diuretics, beta blocking drugs, antiarrhythmic agents and thrombolytic agents are reviewed. The emphasis of the conference and this book is to review the clinical state-of-the-art information and applications in this regard. In the initial section on electrocardiography, Dr. Spodick reviews our present day physiologic and pathophysiologic understanding of systolic time intervals, and how they are affected by a variety of cardiac disease states and pharmacologic agents. Dr. Ellestad examines problems and provides pragmatic tips on exercise testing in the diagnosis of coronary artery disease, and advances in exercise scores and computer analysis. Dr. Graboys reviews the value of exercise testing in the diagnosis and management of patients with serious ventricular arrhythmias. Dr. Kellermann presents the complimentary role that exercise testing plays in com prehensive follow-up therapy of the cardiac patient, and the use of exercise for work and physical training. Detailed information concerning the interaction of cardiac rehabilitation and ventricular arrhythmias are examined."