Improving outcomes in cardiovascular practice

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The upcoming October issue is a special issue in terms of broad coverage of topics including a clinical trial commentary, original research, device evaluation, special report and reviews. The clinical trial commentary addresses an important trial: the SPIRIT program highlighting the recent advances in newer everolimuseluting stent to manage obstructive coronary artery disease [1]. The device evaluation illustrates the role of innovative and second-generation drug-eluting stent: NovolimusTM-eluting stent [2]. Novolimus is a metabolite of sirolimus and released from a bioabsorbable polymer. The stent has a thin cobalt chromium platform and demonstrates reduction in rates of late and very-late stent thrombosis. The original research highlights the role of new embolic protection device during renal artery stenting [3]. The results of renal artery intervention with the use of fiber net distal protection device demonstrated safety and high success rate and no worsening of renal function. However, the number of patients in the study was small and needs further validation with a larger sample size. The special report focuses on a pivotal issue of radiation exposure for i nterventional operators [4]. The article h ighlights the role of the operator to minimize radiation exposure. The review section aptly reviews the role of aortic valvuloplasty, which has resurfaced in the field of transcatheter aortic valve implantation [5]. The outcomes of surgical valve replacement and transcatheter valve implantation are also reviewed [6]. The review of myocardial infarctions involving circumflex artery illustrates the role of ECG, myocardium at jeopardy and dual blood supply [7]. The advent of new antiplatelets therapies with prasugrel and ticagrelor has warranted the review of antiplatelets therapies for percutaneous coronary intervention for myocardial infarction [8]. A review of the role of intravascular ultrasound in complex coronary angioplasty and stent demonstrates optimization of interventional results and thereby improving the clinical outcomes [9]. Last but not least, the timely review of advances in graft interventions illustrates the advances in saphenous venous graft intervention techniques and safety of drug-eluting stents in vein grafts [10]. We hope this amalgamation of a wide range of cardiovascular topics will be beneficial in daily clinical cardiovascular practice and improved outcomes.