Operator skills, and in particular decision-making and strategic skills, are the most critical factor for the outcome of catheter-based cardiovascular interventions. Currently, such skills are commonly developed by the empirical trial and error method only. In this textbook, for the first time, an explicit teaching, training, and learning approach is set out that will enable interventional operators, whether cardiologists, vascular surgeons, vascular specialists, or radiologists, to learn about and to develop the cognitive skills required in order to achieve consistent expert-level catheter-based interventions. It is anticipated that adoption of this approach will allow catheter-based interventions to become a domain of excellence, with rapid transfer of knowledge, steep learning curves, and highly efficient acquisition of complex skills by individual operators — all of which are essential to meet successfully the challenges of modern cardiovascular care.

This practical resource shows the clinician how to handle and use the tools, devices, and implants required for endovascular interventions. A firm foundation in understanding the purpose, technical parameters, and function of each tool is required by vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, interventional radiologists, and other vascular specialists. Medical students, trainees, and physicians starting in practice will enhance their endovascular knowledge, which will allow for improved and seamless patient care. Even the experienced practitioner may find new tips in this book!

Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of mortality in the western world and about half of these deaths are caused by coronary artery disease. One of the most commonly used interventions to treat arterial blockages is to deploy an arterial stent to keep the vessel open. Traditionally, some cardiovascular stents have been associated with serious side-effects, such as thrombosis. This book describes the fundamentals of cardiovascular stents, technologies to functionalize their surfaces and the market status of these important implants. The chapters provide specific focus on the production and evolution of cardiovascular stents, providing essential knowledge for researchers on advances in the field and knowledge of how cardiovascular stents are currently being "functionalized" in order to improve their biocompatibility and minimize negative outcomes in vivo. - Provides a specific focus on cardiovascular stents - Includes a range of topics covering the fundamentals, surface modification and biofunctionalization - Provides essential knowledge for researchers on advances in the field

In the management of vascular disease, there has been an inexorable drive towards less invasive endovascular treatment options. Endovascular treatment of carotid stenosis for stroke is no exception. Several sizeable multicentre trials are running concurrently, which are comparing carotid endarterectomy (CEA), the "gold standard," with the less invasive alternative, carotid stenting (CAS) for low-risk patients with symptomatic carotid stenoses who are considered to be surgical candidates. The endovascular option is in itself a newcomer but state-of-the-art CAS with regards use of all the available technical refinements, to include low-profile monorail dedicated systems with contemporary pharmacological support, is perhaps all but five years old. There is considerable interest from clinicians from a variety of clinical backgrounds and from industry in this technique and, therefore, scope for a contemporary practical guide.

Neurointervention is a fast-growing subspecialty, and recent trials have demonstrated its role in ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke. This has generated tremendous interest among interventional neuroradiology, neurology and neurosurgery communities. Nevertheless, formal teaching programmes that provide the required experience are limited, and many early career practitioners are not exposed to the crucial technical details essential to safely performing the procedure before they start practising independently. The book presents 100 characteristic case studies to illustrate the salient technical and clinical issues in decision-making and problem solving during the procedure. This book conveys the “real-world” issues and solutions that are not addressed in detail in most books. As such it is a practical teaching book with useful “tips and tricks” on how to handle specific challenging situations, and is particularly useful for fellows in neurointervention training programmes..

This new and comprehensively revised third edition of Practical Interventional Cardiology, led by an eminent UK Cardiologist and supported by contributing authors from around the world, discusses the different interventional procedures by context and addresses current guidelines and ongoing trials, including European experience with non-FDA approved devices. It represents an extended practical reference for the Interventional Cardiologist, Fellows in training, catheter laboratory Nursing and Technical staff as well as the non-invasive Cardiologist and General Physician. Rather than providing detailed and exhaustive reviews – a criticism of many Interventional Cardiology texts – the purpose of this book is to present practical information regarding Interventional procedures and important topics in Cardiology. An emphasis on clarity, clinical relevance and up-to-date information has been favoured as well as discussion of points of controversy so frequently overlooked."