Quantitative coronary angiography has become an invaluable tool for the interventional cardiologist, providing objective and reproducible measurements of coronary artery dimensions, which can be used to study progression or regression of coronary atherosclerosis, as well as the immediate and long term effects of percutaneous interventions. Until recently, this powerful imaging technology was confined to a small number of so-called high level institutions. Fortunately, with the development of digital cardiac imaging equipment and adaptation of cine-angiographically based computer software for on-line use in the catheterization room, quantitative coronary angiography is now available to all interventionalists. This book is a timely guide for the impending QCA user, providing practical as well as theoretical and scientific information. A comprehensive evaluation of the clinical usefulness of QCA is covered, from the fundamental principles through experimental validation studies, application to clinical trials of a wide range of pharmacological and interventional therapies in the full spectrum of clinical presentation of coronary disease syndromes, evaluation of the therapeutic efficacy of various new devices for coronary intervention, together with extensive presentation of its physiological, functional and anatomical correlations, by comparison with other intracoronary measurement and imaging techniques. In addition, evolving theories and concepts in the ever topical `restenosis phenomenon' after percutaneous intervention, based on serial QCA studies, are presented and discussed and a potentially unifying methodological approach to further study of this ubiquitous problem is offered. This book, thanks to the collaboration of many experts in the field of intracoronary imaging and measurement, provides stimulating, interesting and practical information, both for the academic scientist and practising clinician.

In June 1989, a third conference concentrating on the progress in quantita tive coronary angiography and related techniques was held in Rotterdam, again very successful as the two preceding events in 1985 and 1987. Tech nical as well as clinical aspects of digital and digitized coronarography, morphometry, parametric imaging and functional quantification of the human coronary circulation were presented and discussed by prominent exponents of those groups who have been active in this particular field for many years. This book contains the chapters representing the lectures held by leading experts during the symposium that update the knowledge currently available, including most recent aspects in angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound imaging. It also includes a historical review on the development of angiogra phic techniques from the very early days on to our times given by one of the pioneers in heart catheterization and angiography, Dr. Kurt Amplatz. Those who had the chance to listen to his talk, will surely remember his impressive, humorous lecture as one of the highlights of this meeting.

In this fourth book in the series on quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) with the earlier three volumes published in 1986, 1988 and 1991, the latest developments in this exciting field are covered. Both the methodolog ical and clinical application aspects of these advances are presented in a comprehensive manner in a total of 37 chapters by world renowned experts. The book is subdivided into a total of eight parts, beginning with the more methodological issues, such as QCA and other modalities (3 chapters), cine film versus digital arteriography (3 chapters), quality control in QCA (4 chapters), and coronary blood flow and flow reserve (3 chapters). Since QCA has been well established as the technique for the assessment of regression and progression in atherosclerotic disease, and of restenosis after recanaliz ation procedures, major clinical trials in both groups are described extensively by their principal investigators in a total of 11 chapters. In addition, the QCA results after the application of various recanalization techniques are presented in another eight chapters. In the last part the experiences with various intracoronary prostheses with the emphasis on QCA are discussed in five chapters. This large increase in application oriented chapters means that QCA is well alive and gaining momentum. Although the accuracy and precision of the analytical methods steadily improve with the increasing complexity of the algorithms, there is still always the human factor involved in these processes in terms of frame selection, segment definition, etc.

In recent years there has been an increasing interest in quantitative analysis of coronary cineangiograms and already for a longer time of left ventricular cin eangiograms. The needfor quantitationofcoronary arterialdimensions has been stimulated by the introduction ofnew therapeutic procedures in the catheteriza tionlaboratory, suchas the balloon dilatationtechnique (PTCA) and thromboly tic therapy, by the need to study the vasoactive responses of pharmaceutical agents, and also by the desire to study the progressive nature ofcoronary artery disease with the ultimate goal to find ways to bring a halt to the progression of coronary atherosclerosis or even achieve regression of the disease. Parallel with these clinical developments, rapid technical developments in computerarchitect ures and semiconductor memories have made it possible to digitize and store cineframesor selected portions thereof in image processors and to analyze these pictorial data quantitatively at affordable prices. More than 15 years of research have been directed by various groups towards the semi- or fully-automated delineation of the left ventricular boundaries on a frame-to-frame basis. Yet not a single system with fully-automated capability is commercially available. In the mean time many different left ventricular wall motion models have been developed, again with little consensuson which model is to be preferred as no golden standard exists.

Cardiovascular Medicine: Coronary Artery Disease will offer today's most up-to-date, user-friendly guidance on the evaluation, diagnosis, and medical and surgical treatment of this most important aspect of cardiovascular disease and will be on the wish list for every trainee and practicising cardiologist, cardiac surgeon, vascular surgeon, diabetologist, cardiac radiologist and any physician who manages cardiac patients. The book is dedicated to providing comprehensive coverage of every aspect of coronary arterial medicine from cardiac signs and symptoms through imaging and the genetic basis for coronary disease to surgery, interventions, treatment and also to preventive cardiology. The Editor – and a group of contributing world authorities – offer their decades of scientific and clinical experience. A major selling point is the consistent chapter organization, clear design, and engaging text that includes user-friendly features such as tables, lists and treatment boxes. The reader will have all the guidance to diagnose and manage a full range of conditions in a series of textbook resources, while also having access to additional video material from the integral website.

Interventional cardiology has transitioned from angiographic subjective analysis of stenosis severity into assessment of plaque characteristics and objective assessment of stenosis severity. The evolution of novel interventional imaging modalities is progressively altering our understanding of coronary artery disease diagnosis and prognosis. This book will be an essential companion to assist interventional cardiologists in better assessing patients with Coronary Artery Disease. It will encompass and review all interventional imaging modalities and provide guidance for interventional cardiologists to use these modalities. ​

Cardiovascular Thrombus: From Pathology and Clinical Presentations to Imaging, Pharmacotherapy and Interventions provides a comprehensive, up-to-date presentation of the research and clinical practices as related to the contemporary aspects of the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular thrombosis. The formation, identification and management of cardiovascular thrombus is of paramount importance for researchers and practicing physicians, yet it remains one of the most challenging diagnostic and clinical scenarios. This important reference connects between research, up-to-date clinical knowledge, and the technological tools available for diagnosis and management of thrombus in cardiovascular medicine. The book includes comprehensive descriptions and review of pathology, clinical presentations, diagnosis, pharmacotherapy, interventions and future trends. It is the perfect reference for basic science students and researchers in general and interventional cardiology, general and interventional radiology, vascular medicine specialists, and vascular, general and cardiac surgeons. Provides comprehensive presentation of the pathophysiology, clinical presentations and diagnosis of cardiovascular thrombosis Includes the most up-to-date information on the practical management of patients with thrombus related conditions Written by the leading experts in the field Describes the current and upcoming pharmacotherapy and technology available for thrombus research and treatment