Dtsch Arztebl Int
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The first coronary artery bypass operation (CABG) was performed on May 2, 1960. The first percutaneous coro - nary intervention (PCI) was performed almost 20 years later. Since then, the invasive treatment of coronary artery disease (CAD) has moved into the spotlight of cardiac medical care. ⋯ Conservative treatment is always the baseline treatment and has undergone major advances in the last few decades. Moreover, non-invasive coronary evaluation with computed tomography, as well as non-invasive cardiac stress imaging studies, are increasingly replacing primary invasive coronary evaluations. In this review, we illustrate a mechanistic concept of the appropriate use of CABG and PCI that can improve patient care, while underscoring the importance of interdisciplinary and intersectoral collaboration.