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.

Klappentext

This volume is the fourth in a series on quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) published over the last seven years. Every two years the advances in this exciting field are presented by their leading experts. There is a significant growth in this field which has translated into the increasing sizes of the volumes published over the years. In addition to covering the developments in the more traditional items such as QCA and other modalities, and coronary blood flow and flow reserve, the following subjects have been emphasized in this particular volume: quality control in QCA; QCA in the major regression/progression trials; QCA in the major restenosis studies; QCA after recanalization techniques; and QCA and intracoronary prostheses. In addition, an extensive overview is given of QCA equipment and technical requirements. The book provides a comprehensive, accurate and up to date overview for all clinicians and physicists actively involved or otherwise interested in the developments in quantitative coronary arteriography.

Inhalt
One: Quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) versus other modalities.- 1. A pathologist's view of quantitative coronary arteriography.- 2. Angioscopy versus angiography for the detection of coronary artery disease surface morphology.- 3. Development and application of coronary intravascular ultrasound: comparison to quantitative angiography.- Two: QCA: cinefilm versus digital arteriography.- 4. Quantitative analysis of the cineangiogram: Why bother?.- 5. Quantitative coronary arteriography: equipment and technical requirements.- 6. The filmless catheterization laboratory: when will it be reality?.- Three: Quality control in QCA.- 7. Optimal frame selection for QCA.- 8. Variability of QCA-core laboratory assessment of coronary anatomy.- 9. Automated physical assessment of image quality in digital cardiac imaging.- 10. Experiences of a quantitative coronary angiographic core laboratory in restenosis prevention trials.- Four: Coronary blood flow and flow reserve.- 11. Flow and flow reserve by parametric imaging.- 12. Maximal myocardial perfusion as a measure of the functional significance of coronary artery disease.- 13. Angiographic measurement of coronary blood flow.- Five: QCA in regression/progression of atherosclerotic disease.- 14. Value and limitations of quantitative coronary angiography to assess progression or regression of coronary atherosclerosis.- 15. The impact of the calcium antagonist nifedipine on the angiographic progression of coronary artery disease results of INTACT (International Nifedipine Trial on Anti-atherosclerotic Therapy).- 16. Progression and regression of coronary atherosclerosis: data from a controlled clinical trial with Nicardipine.- 17. Computer quantitative measurements of CLAS coronary angiograms compared to evaluation by panelsof human angiographers.- 18. A maximum confidence strategy for measuring progression and regression of coronary artery disease in clinical trials.- Six: QCA in restenosis studies.- 19. Pharmacological prevention of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA); overview and methodological considerations.- 20. CARPORT Coronary Artery Restenosis Prevention On Repeated Thromboxane Antagonism. A multicenter randomized clinical trial.- 21. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition in the prevention of restenosis: the MERCATOR and MARCATOR trials.- 22. Historic. A multicenter randomized clinical trial to evaluate feasibility and tolerability of recombinant congener of hirudin as an alternative to heparin during PTCA.- 23. Angiopeptin in experimental models of restenosis.- 24. Cyclic flow alterations and neointimal proliferation following experimental coronary stenosis and endothelial injury.- Seven: QCA after recanalization techniques in coronary arteries.- 25. The use of quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) in interventional cardiology.- 26. Quantitative coronary arteriography in laser balloon angioplasty.- 27. Quantitative coronary angiography after directional coronary atherectomy.- 28. Directional coronary atherectomy evaluation by quantitative angiography.- 29. Quantitative results and lesion morphology in coronary excimer laser angioplasty.- 30. Percutaneous transluminal coronary rotational ablation: early follow-up at 24 hours by quantitative angiography.- 31. Quantitative assessment of the residual stenosis after percutaneous transluminal coronary rotary ablation: European experience.- 32. Quantitative coronary angiography after revascularization with the Transluminal Extraction Endarterectomy Catheter (TECTM).- Eight: QCA andintracoronary prostheses.- 33. An experimental cardiologist's view on coronary stents.- 34. The Palmaz-SchatzTM stent.- 35. The Wallstent experience: 1986-1990.- 36 Immediate and long-term clinical and angiographic results following WiktorTM stent implantation in patients with documented restenosis of a native coronary artery lesion following prior balloon angioplasty.- 37. Coronary Gianturco-Roubin Stents.