D.G.JULIAN Cardiology has been advancing on a broad front and in recent years we have learned much about the basic mechanisms underlying heart disease, and developed many new methods of diagnosis and treatment. This book discusses in depth some of the most important aspects of these. One of the most exciting areas of research has been in molecular biology; Tybjrerg-Hansen and Humphries describe how, following the pioneering Nobel prize-winning work of Goldstein and Brown, gene probes are being used to discover the genetic causes of coronary artery disease, especially in the hyperlipidaemias but also in thrombotic states. These developments, together with the introduction of powerful lipid-lowering agents has triggered interest in the primary hyperlipidaemias, which are frequently hereditary. Betteridge discusses their diagnosis and management. Quyyumi describes how a greater knowledge of the physiology and pathology of the coronary circulation has led to a better understanding of the causes of angina pectoris and of 'silent ischaemia'. Crean deals with the difficult topic of unstable angina, which has caused a lot of controversy in the past, but whose investigation and management is now broadly agreed.
