In the past five years, interventional cardiology has entered a new era of evaluating percutaneous transcatheter technologies to treat coronary artery disease and prevent restenosis. Cardiologists attempting to follow this field may be confused by the growth and expansion of new devices, the technical details relevant to each device and enthusiastic claims of success. This monograph is a comprehensive assessment of restenosis from the perspective of these new technologies including stenting, atherectomy, rotational abrasion and lasers. The international breadth of experience is reflected in the summary from both sides of the Atlantic, at times with conflicting observations and results which can be in itself valuable, given the diverse experience to date. In addition to the summaries of the early and late results of these new devices, issues in the methodology of restenosis research are addressed, including limitations of quantitative coronary arteriography in evaluating the new devices and advances in alternatives to arteriography such as intrevascular imaging.
This text aims to weave many of these concepts together, establishing the ground work for further development of mechanical approaches to limit restenosis. It is intended for use by interventional cardiologists interested in practical and research aspects of restenosis.