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.