Today, with TAVI, we are at the verge of a new era, as we see this technique evolve through attentive clinical practice and trial into a very attractive, minimally invasive strategy that has yet to reach its limits. With this in mind we publish in this issue a series of interesting valve related papers. P.W. Serruys

Vascular complications after TAVI: Toulouse experience

Tchetche et al report 30-day data from a mixed population of 54 patients treated with either Medtronic CoreValveR (MCV) or Edwards SAPIEN™ (ES) valves.

Vascular complications after TF-TAVI: Paris experience

Ducrocq et al details 54 transfemoral aortic valve implantations using the Edwards SAPIEN™ prosthesis in a single center study with 6 months follow-up

Vascular complications after TAVI: Rotterdam experience

Van Mieghem et al report present the 30-day incidence of major and minor vascular complications in 99 patients treated with the third generation 18 Fr Medtronic CoreValve System®.

First-in-man: novel transcatheter pulmonary value

Schievano et al present their experience of ‘first-in-man’ implantation of a new percutaneous pulmonary valve into a dilated pulmonary trunk, using patient specific data to influence the design of the device and ensure patient safety.

Gender-based issues in interventional cardiology

Chieffo et al presents a consensus statement on gender-based issues. A joint publication with Catheterization and Cardiovascular Interventions and Revista Española de Cardiología.

Proposed extended historical MI definitions

Vranckx et al proposes an addendum to the historical MI definitions used in stent studies.

Jailed balloon side-branch protection

Burzotta et al report the bench tests and the first clinical application of a novel technique for side branch protection based on the placement of a balloon in the SB during MV stenting.

Percutaneous coronary intervention of ostial lesions

This is the first article in the EuroIntervention Tools & Techniques series and deals with the step-wise approach in the percutaneous treatment of coronary ostial disease. The following is an overview of its management and highlights the salient technical features.