Gender based issues in interventional cardiology have proven elusive, and we approach them from several viewpoints in the upcoming pages. We begin with a consensus statement from the Women In Innovations (WIN) initiative. Three other articles continue to touch on this essential, and fascinating subject. P.W. Serruys

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.

Szabo technique vs. angiographic placement

Gutiérrez-Chico et al, in a retrospective analysis compare the Szabo technique with conventional positioning in bifurcation stenting:

Device closure of residual shunt after PFO

Majunke et al summarise their experiences of device closure of residual shunt in 40 patients after transcatheter closure of patent foramen ovale (PFO).

How should I treat?

Caliskan et al asks how he should treat an unusual referral for heart transplantation ? Invited Experts, Segovia et al and Vorpahl et al, give their opinion on this case.

The twelve-month outcomes of a biolimus eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer compared with a sirolimus eluting stent with a durable polymer

The 12-month clinical outcomes of the LEADERS clinical trial which compared a biolimus eluting stent with a biodegradable polymer to a sirolimus eluting stent with a durable polymer.

Acute left main obstructions following TAVI

A report of five cases of LM obstruction occurring immediately after transcatheter aortic valve implantation with extensive moving images.

Familial hypercholesterolaemic downsized pig with human-like coronary atherosclerosis: a model for preclinical studies

Farm pigs with hypercholesterolaemia develop advanced atherosclerosis in two to three years but weigh >200 kg .We down-sized and accelerated plaque development to make the model more useful and affordable.

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.