This issue of Cardiac Interventions Today provides an update on percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), including new drug-eluting stent (DES) platforms, dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) duration after PCI, and the evolving role of appropriate use criteria.

We begin by reassessing the current guidelines for stenting in STEMI patients based on recent meta-analysis data. Sripal Bangalore, MD, discusses his findings on first-generation, second-generation, and bare-metal stents in the STEMI setting and why he advocates a change in practice patterns.

In recent years, a significant shift has occurred when considering the optimal duration of DAPT after DES implantation. Usman Baber, MD, MS, and Roxana Mehran, MD, address the topic of appropriate DAPT duration after stenting while taking into account the patient risk factors, stent platform types, and time interval from PCI, which all affect this decision.

Continuing this conversation on the most effective tools for PCI, Elvin Kedhi, MD, PhD, shares a compilation of data on the current generation of bioabsorbable- and durable-polymer DES and the associated improved safety outcomes he has observed.

Also in the forefront of our minds is how we can achieve consistent, successful results when faced with difficult coronary chronic total occlusions. Craig A. Thompson, MD, MMSc, and David V. Daniels, MD, explain a strategy that allows trained operators and staff to best utilize their skill sets and standardize the procedure in the hopes of increasing its presence in the clinical PCI arena.

Next, Prashant Kaul, MD, FACC, FSCAI, and James P. Zidar, MD, FACC, FSCAI, review the current guideline recommendations for treating left main coronary artery disease and the growing research and support for the use of PCI.

As we are all aware, quality-of-care assessments are becoming a greater priority in our national health care policy, and thus, Steven P. Marso, MD, updates us on the evolving role of appropriate use criteria in centers that practice PCI.

Another hurdle to overcome is the growing 30-day readmission rate after PCI, which has many ramifications for patients, as a quality metric for the procedure itself, and for the center delivering care. Gregory W. Yost, DO; James C. Blankenship, MD; and Peter B. Berger, MD, outline the current data on and predictors of readmission and the steps you can take to make readmission less likely.

In our Challenging Cases article, we present a case report on PCI for an occluded saphenous vein graft. Wojciech Wojakowski MD, PhD, FESC, and Wojciech Wanha, MD, share their approach to achieving a successful outcome and the tools necessary for the job.

Our Physician Counsel column intends to help interventional physicians stay informed about legislative and medicolegal forces affecting their practices. Steven J. Cagnetta, Esq. and Steven K. Ladd discuss the Sunshine Act and the key implementation dates to be prepared for in 2014.

In our Valve Update, as well as our featured interview, we spoke with Jeffrey J. Popma, MD, Coprincipal Investigator of the CoreValve United States pivotal trial, about the recent FDA approval of this device, along with his thoughts on the overall process of device approval and regulation in the United States, and his role as Chair of the C3 Summit.

As always, we hope Cardiac Interventions Today will help you keep up with the ever-expanding number of journals and presentations by synthesizing the current status of important topics in interventional cardiology.