Interventional cardiology pioneer reflects on field’s past, future
EXPERT ANALYSIS FROM ACC SNOWMASS 2019
One bar, based on the uncertain possibility that new bioresorbable scaffolds now in early stages of development ultimately pan out.
Future training needs
PCI operator volumes are low, and that raises a host of issues regarding future training needs. Should fewer interventionalists be trained? Should training in endovascular imaging be a mandatory part of PCI training? Should interventional cardiology be divided into distinct coronary, structural heart, and peripheral vascular subspecialty domains involving different people, a change that is already informally underway in many places? How are operators who are interested in becoming experts in PCI for chronic total occlusion, diffuse disease, left main disease, or other complex cases going to get enough experience to be able to concentrate in those areas?
These are questions that will need to be addressed in the coming years. The answers will surely affect the delivery of interventional cardiology care.
Dr. King reported having no financial conflicts regarding his presentation.
SOURCE: King SB.
