摘要
In the first decade of the 21 st century, the activities in theAmerican cardiac catheterization laboratories underwentsignificant changes. From mostly cardiac diagnosticcatheterization and basic angioplasty and stenting theprocedures became more complex, diverse, involvingthe peripheral vascular, carotid, renal, aortic, or venoussystems. As interventional cardiology is still a young andhyperdynamic playfield, new devices have been constantlydeveloped and new procedures were invented. While thesenew equipment improved the success, safety of proceduresand outcome of patients, they also carried a heavy price tag.
