[Achievements of Invasive Cardiology 2003. Part II.].

The authors present a review of research works completed or conducted in 2003 which according to their opinion contributed most to the rapidly progressing field of invasive/interventional cardiology. The year passed was characterized by wide introduction into clinical practice of stents coated with antirestenotic agents, substantial advances in pharmacological support and improvements of safety of coronary interventions, active studies of contrast induced nephropathy and assessment of novel devices for myocardial protection against distal embolism during interventions both on coronary arteries and vein grafts. Recent results of comparisons of mechanical and pharmacological myocardial reperfusion in acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction can be considered revolutionary for clinical cardiology. Part I of the review deals with invasive treatment of acute coronary syndrome and pharmacological support of coronary interventions.