Recent advances in cardiology.

During 2009, multiple major cardiology trials have been presented or published. In this paper, we summarize and place in clinical context the new trial findings regarding anticoagulation (dabigatran), antiplatelet therapy (ticagrelor, clopidogrel, prasugrel and aspirin), percutaneous coronary management (thrombectomy, multivessel/left main disease and biodegradable polymers), medical therapy for coronary disease (ivabradine and rosuvastatin) and management of heart failure (beta-blocker strategy, atrial fibrillation and resynchronization therapy).