It is for the nineth time that we present this handbook of randomised clinical trials in the field of interventional cardiology.

As in previous editions we have selected papers that were published in high ranked medical journals as The New England Journal of Medicine, The Lancet, The Journal of the American Medical Association, Circulation, The Journal of the American College of Cardiology, and the European Heart Journal. The trials selected all yield important information on the most common subjects in interventional cardiology and the results of these studies might play a role in clinical decision making.

Earlier editions of the booklet contained separate chapters on bare metal stents, brachytherapy, GpIIb/IIIa blockers and pharmacologic in stent restenosis prevention. Since most of the trials presented in these chapters are either clinically not very relevant or the results firmly incorporated in current practice we have removed these chapters from the book. New contributions in these fields are incorporated in other chapters. For the summaries of the older trials interested readers are referred to the 2005 edition and the website.

For each trial we present in a uniform, one-page format the title, purpose, design, results and the conclusion as phrased by the authors. This enables fast and easy access to the most recent contributions in the interventional literature.

We hope that this booklet will be of use and will serve as a quick reference guide.

Benno J. Rensing, MD, Pim J. de Feyter, MD, Jeroen Vos, MD
Nieuwegein, Rotterdam and Breda, The Netherlands