Coronary stenting is the most commonly used method of myocardial revascularization, with approximately 2 million stents implanted in 2004 throughout the world. The development of drug eluting stents has resulted in very low rates of repeat intervention and will further increase the scope for percutaneous coronary intervention. The evidence from large randomized trials is generally accepted to be the gold standard source of information for patient care in interventional cardiology. However, it is well recognized that information from these trials is frequently insufficient to guide the wide-ranging clinical situations found in routine practice. In this context, decision-making is often based on a composite of information from multiple clinical studies, pathophysiological considerations and importantly, personal experience or 'gut-feeling'. This book, written by internationally recognized experts in their field, provides clear and concise recommendations regarding various challenging clinical situations facing the interventional cardiologist on a daily basis.

The tools necessary for correctly identifying complex coronary lesions and plaques. The data required to accurately diagnose rare disease progression and patterns. With Diagnostic Methods in the Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, all of the essential diagnostic modalities you need in the lab are at your fingertips.

This new force in cardiology is the premier reference guide to advanced clinical approaches and the specialized conditions that every interventional cardiologist encounters. It depicts the unusual and unique situations in the catheterization lab and supplies the knowledge required of clinicians that goes beyond the fundamental methods and techniques.

Key topics discussed include:

• promising new technology, including machines and contrast agents
• intracardiac pressure and flow measurement, and shunt detection
• qualitative and quantitative angiography
• intravascular ultrasound, derived methods, and intracardiac ultrasonography
• optical coherence and multidetector-computed tomography
• electromechanical mapping (NOGA system)
• baseline evaluation and therapeutic monitoring
• clinical applications of quantitative coronary angiography
• pre-procedure planning and intra-procedure of CTO treatment

Coronary stenting is the most commonly used method of myocardial revascularization, with approximately 2 million stents implanted in 2004 throughout the world. The development of drug eluting stents has resulted in very low rates of repeat intervention and will further increase the scope for percutaneous coronary intervention. The evidence from large randomized trials is generally accepted to be the gold standard source of information for patient care in interventional cardiology. However, it is well recognized that information from these trials is frequently insufficient to guide the wide-ranging clinical situations found in routine practice. In this context, decision-making is often based on a composite of information from multiple clinical studies, pathophysiological considerations and importantly, personal experience or 'gut-feeling'. This book, written by internationally recognized experts in their field, provides clear and concise recommendations regarding various challenging clinical situations facing the interventional cardiologist on a daily basis.