Massimo Chessa – författare

The second edition of this handbook is an up-to-date guide to the application of catheter-based interventions across the entire  age range of congenital heart disease patients, from fetal life through to adulthood. 

It considers the changes and improvements that have occurred during the last few years in terms of new procedures, new tools and devices (in particular in the field of valves), new imaging and pre-procedural strategies,  such as 3D-printing, 3D- rotational angiography and fusion imaging. It provides readers with clear instructions on techniques for vascular access, valve dilatation, angioplasty, stent implantation, defect closure, defect creation, pulmonary valve implantation and on the hybrid approach, as well as on various other procedures. 

As in the first edition, topics are approached using a step-by-step format, ensuring that readers can immediately access the information relevant to their daily practice. Numerous explanatory figuresand drawings are included in each chapter in order to further clarify how to plan, perform and evaluate diagnostic and interventional procedures in the field of congenital heart disease. It also highlights important tips and tricks that will assist health operators in achieving optimal outcomes, and includes an appendix with additional general equations and BSA,  and oxygen consumption charts.

This practical guide will be a valuable resource for surgeons and cardiologists in their daily clinical practice. 

This atlas depicts and describes catheter-based interventions across the entire pediatric age range, from fetal life through to early adulthood, with the aim of providing an illustrated step-by-step guide that will help the reader to master these techniques and apply them in everyday practice. Clear instruction is offered on a wide range of procedures, including vascular access, fetal interventions, valve dilatation, angioplasty, stent implantation, defect closure, defect creation, valve implantation, hybrid approaches, and other miscellaneous procedures. 

The atlas complements the previously published handbook, Cardiac Catheterization for Congenital Heart Disease, by presenting a wealth of photographs, images, and drawings selected or designed to facilitate the planning, performance, and evaluation of diagnostic and interventional procedures in the field of congenital heart disease. It will assist in the safe, efficient performance of these procedures, in decision making, and in the recognition and treatment of complications.

Tetralogy of Fallot is the most common form of cyanotic congenital heart disease, and one of the first to be successfully repaired by congenital heart surgeons. Although “fixed”, patients born with tetralogy of Fallot cannot be considered “cured”. Improving survival and quality of life for this ever-increasing adult population will continue to challenge the current and future generations of cardiologists.

Adult patients with tetralogy of Fallot should be seen by a cardiologist specializing in the care of adults with congenital heart disease, to be monitored for late complications. They need to be checked regularly for any subsequent complications or disturbances of heart rhythm.

This monograph is intended as both an introduction to the subject and a timely, comprehensive review, and will be welcomed by adult cardiologists, pediatric cardiologists, internists, surgeons, obstetricians, and intensivists who wish to learn about the most recent discoveries and advances concerning tetralogy of Fallot in adults. It will also be of interest to advanced undergraduates wanting to learn more about the subject.