Edited by
ROGER J. LAHAM
DONALD S. BAIM

2005

Atherosclerotic disease remains the leading cause of death in the Western Hemisphere, and its prevalence continues to increase as the population ages. Despite progress in surgical and catheter-based revascularization, an ever increasing number of patients are either not candidates for these therapies or remain symptomatic despite prior revascularization and maximal ongoing medical treatment.