Since the introduction of drug-eluting stents (DES) into clinical practice, there have been steady efforts to assess and improve the clinical results that have been achieved by these devices. The number of studies, the volume of patients that have been studied, and the numerous patient populations and anatomic subsets included in these trials present a daunting landscape. In this issue, we review several aspects of DES use, and as is always our intention, we hope that you will find these articles to be a useful synthesis of recent data and a look at some future developments.

Sameer J. Khandhar, MD; Suresh R. Mulukutla, MD, FACC, FSCAI; and Oscar C. Marroquin, MD, FACC, FSCAI, open our feature on DES with an overview of the history, safety, and efficacy of DES for on-label and off-label indications.

Next, we hear from Christian Spaulding, MD, PhD, FACC, FESC, who reviews several trial outcomes of DES in ST-elevation myocardial infarction for a viable way to better treat this challenging subgroup of patients.

Juan F. Granada, MD, and William A. Gray, MD, discuss the place of drug-coated balloons in treating coronary artery disease, as well as in preventing restenosis. Louis A. Cannon, MD, FACC, FACP; Gary A. Daniel, MD; Kristin L. Hood, PhD; and Steven J. Yakubov, MD, FACC, analyze the three main parts of next-generation DES design (platform, drug, and polymer) and the role each plays in the future of this device therapy.

How effective are first- and second-generation DES in preventing thrombosis? Amjad T. AlMahameed, MD, MPH, and Donald E. Cutlip, MD, present a review of the current literature and how it may affect the next generation of stent design.

Our Tips & Tricks column by Andrzej Boguszewski, MD; John Frank, MD; Deepak Koul, MD; Abdulwahhab Alroaini, MD; and Hiroshi Yamasaki, MD, FACC, demonstrates how a radial compression device can be used effectively for closure of a brachial access.

Finally, E. Murat Tuzcu, MD, is our featured interviewee for this edition. He tells us about his work training interventional cardiologists both in the United States and abroad, the current state of catheter-based valvular repair, and the importance of learning diverse imaging modalities.

The number of journals and publications that cross our desks seem to increase by the month. Summary and synthesis of the literature is one of our major purposes. We hope you enjoy this issue and that it helps you manage the vast body of information in the area of DES.