Recent developments in the field of percutaneous coronary intervention and encouraging data relating to feasibility and safety have led to a renewed interest in left main angioplasty. Interventional cardiologists are faced with the challenge represented by this complex subset of lesions.

The first part of this practical handbook specifically deals with the development of the anatomical classification and gives an overview of the frequency of different anatomic phenotypes. The second part provides a comprehensive knowledge on the techniques and approach to left main coronary artery disease and discuss the potential complications. The authors draw on their practical experience to look at expected or potential morbidity from percutaneous coronary intervention.

The aim of this book is to provide interventional cardiologists with useful tips and tricks for percutaneous coronary intervention of the left main coronary artery.

Autorentext

Corrado Tamburino is Professor of Cardiology and Director of both the Cardiology Institute and Cardiovascular Dept. and the Post-graduate School of Cardiology at the University of Catania. He is also Chief of the Cardiovascular Dept. at Ferrarotto Hospital, Catania.
At present he is also President of the Italian Society of Invasive Cardiology (GISE).
He introduced the technique of endomyocardial biopsy and mitral valvuloplasty to Sicily and has performed more than 12,000 interventional procedures of coronary angioplasty and coronary stent implantation. Prof. Tamburino was the first interventional cardiologist in Italy to implant a percutaneous aortic valve on patients who cannot undergo surgical interventions and the first who treated percuteneously mitral regurgitation.
An interesting recent article published in CIRCULATION presents Prof. Tamburrino's career and experiences in detail (Circulation 2008; 118; f63-f66).

Inhalt
Anatomy.- Literature Review.- Morpho-functional Assessment of Left Main Coronary Artery Disease.- Left Main Coronary Artery Percutaneous Interventions: Materials and Techniques.- Thrombosis and Antiplatelet Therapy.