Interventional cardiology

Abstract

The evolution of cardiology over the past 25 years has been dominated by the invention and development of interventional techniques. These techniques offer 'surgical treatment' through transvascular access to the heart, avoiding therefore the classic transthoracic surgical approach. Today, coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease and arrhythmias are accessible to interventional treatments. In this article, a review is given about recent developments and results of interventional treatment for coronary artery disease with special consideration of stenting. This article should help the general practitioner or internist to guide and inform their patients suffering from coronary artery disease.