Contemporary Cardiology – serie

Leading clinical and experimental investigators comprehensively review the chemistry, biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, and pathophysiology of nitric oxide in the cardiovascular systems. These experts particularly illuminate nitric oxide biology, its cardiovascular pathophysiology, and its role in cardiovascular therapeutics. Topics also included are the development of nitric oxide donors for the treatment of myocardial ischemia and thrombosis, the development of gene therapeutic restoration of endothelial function in atherosclerosis, and the application of nitric oxide biology to investigative arenas in cardiovascular medicine. With its balanced presentation of basic and clinically relevant information, Nitric Oxide and the Cardiovascular System provides a comprehensive, authoritative guide for all those cardiovascular biologists, cardiologists, physiologists, and cardiovascular surgeons engaged in today's clinical or experimental research.

A comprehensive review by renowned authorities of the many exciting developments occurring across the rapidly emerging field of "minimally invasive" or "minimal access" cardiac surgery. The book's distinguished panel of contributors presents the interventional cardiologists perspective, spells out the key factors for success in beating-heart coronary bypass grafting through limited incisions, and surveys the various methods of harvesting the internal thoracic artery. Other topics treated include immobilization of the surgical field, minimal access valve and congenital surgery, alternative methods of anastomosis, and port-access coronary bypass grafting. Minimally Invasive Cardiac Surgery summarizes all the latest findings on the powerful new techniques, as well as the results, of minimally invasive coronary surgery, including valvular heart disease, congenital heart disease, and coronary revascularization.

A panel of expert clinical researchers offer a practical guide to the key animal models used in vascular disease. These experts examine critical issues related to vascular disease and injury in five major areas: acute mechanical injury and vascular repair, arterial thrombosis, chronic atherosclerosis, vascular disease in transplanted vessels, and vascular disease in systemic and pulmonary arterial hypertension. Up-to-date and highly practical, Vascular Disease and Injury: Preclinical Studies provides a comprehensive review that not only illuminates the current status of cardiovascular research, but also offers vascular biologists and cardiologists a detailed how-to guide to the development of the many powerful new therapeutics now emerging.

A master practitioner illustrates with 185 electrocardiograms a new scientific approach to the art of EKG intrepretation. Moving beyond the traditional practice of many books that stress technical skill and pattern recognition, Dr. Blake demonstrates in detail how tracings may be interpeted with consistency and medical rigor to distinguish normal and abnormal EKG patterns. Each tracing is illuminated by a full description of its findings and a detailed clinical explanation of how to intrepet it. Published in both hardcover and paperback this book will be used by medical students in preparation for their exams as well as by practicing physicians who want to develop a scientifically-based approach to reading EKGs.

A master practitioner teaches, with 200 sample electrocardiograms, a simple but powerfully enlightening scientific approach to the art of EKG interpretation. Moving beyond the traditional practice of many books that stress technical skill and pattern recognition, Dr. Blake demonstrates in detail how tracings may be interpreted with consistency and confidence. By examining each tracing much like a patient in a physical examination, the author provides a full description of its findings and a detailed clinical explanation of how to interpret it. Drawing on a lifetime of teaching and practicing EKG interpretation, Dr. Blake demonstrates in An Annotated Atlas of Electrocardiography: A Guide to Confident Interpretation an orderly, confidence-inspiring method for arriving at a clinically useful interpretation.

An illuminating and timely synthesis of methodological and clinical studies showing how medical costs can be established, how the value of clinical outcomes can be assessed, and how difficult choices can be rationally made. The methodological chapters review the conceptual and practical issues involved in estimating and interpreting health care costs, making health status and utility assessments, and statistically analyzing cost-effectiveness and clinical trials. The clinical chapters apply these methods to the major clinical areas of cardiology-primary prevention of coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, angioplasty vs coronary bypass surgery, CABG vs medicine, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac surgery. Additional chapters consider the use of economic studies for policy purposes and the future of Medicare under a balanced budget in an aging America.

An authoritative guide to clinical management of women with known or suspected coronary artery disease. Using an evidence-based approach, the authors apply the latest epidemiological findings and diagnostic tools to the evaluation of stable chest pain and acute ischemic syndromes in women, and detail the therapeutic effectiveness of various treatments in women, such as coronary revascularization, electrophysiology, exercise training and cardiac rehabilitation, and menopausal hormone therapy. Additional chapters examine the effects of gender bias in diagnosis and treatment, the role of gynecologists as primary care physicians for women, health technology assessment in an era of managed care, and the problems of analyzing cost-effectiveness in the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease in women.

Essentials of Bedside Cardiology, Second Edition, like the first edition, is designed for those who wish to balance technological advances with increased personal skill in history taking and physical examination. It is important to teach physicians that all technologies now in use for diagnosing cardiovascular disorders, such as echocardiography, can have false positive and false negative results. It is not always wise to rely on these technologies alone; indeed, they may not even be available in some settings. Even when the full panoply of up-to-date techniques is at the physician's disposal, the patient may not be a good candidate for an echocardiogram, or the technician or reader may not be well qualified, or the equipment itself may be substandard. Technology must be combined with physical examination to decide what is true and what is false. The practice of expert history taking and physical examination returns the physician to the actual patient, where the physician can feel likea "real doctor" rather than a mere interpreter of laboratory data. Essentials of Bedside Cardiology, Second Edition, strives to teach and not simply to tell the facts, relying on three basic methods derived from the psychology of teaching and learning: 1. Explain the facts. 2. Use a question and answer format-the Socratic method. 3. Provide tricks or mnemonics to help the reader remember the facts.

Leading practitioners from the University of Pennsylvania review all aspects of heart failure diagnosis and management, with a particular emphasis on office-based/ambulatory care. Following the problem-solving steps used in an office-based practice, the authors provide extensive coverage of the presenting signs and symptoms of heart failure, as well as the tools with which to evaluate left-ventricular function, hemodynamics, and exercise performance. They also discuss the complex, evidenc-based therapeutic options for treating patients with dyspnea, fatigue, or edema, following the new ACC/AHA heart failure guidelines that are specifically and directed at targeted symptoms.

They also delineate the surgical management of the heart patient with discussions of postoperative management and its complications and of specific surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, pacemaker and defibibrillators, and surgical management of heart failure.

An illuminating and timely synthesis of methodological and clinical studies showing how medical costs can be established, how the value of clinical outcomes can be assessed, and how difficult choices can be rationally made. The methodological chapters review the conceptual and practical issues involved in estimating and interpreting health care costs, making health status and utility assessments, and statistically analyzing cost-effectiveness and clinical trials. The clinical chapters apply these methods to the major clinical areas of cardiology-primary prevention of coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, angioplasty vs coronary bypass surgery, CABG vs medicine, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, and cardiac surgery. Additional chapters consider the use of economic studies for policy purposes and the future of Medicare under a balanced budget in an aging America.

Academic clinicians, clinical scientists, well-known practitioners of alternative medicine, and authors of popular works on the subject summarize the facts about complementary cardiovascular medicines so that physicians can confidently and knowledgeably advise their patients. The authors comprehensively explain the background for each important alternative therapy, its rationale, the evidence supporting its use, its possible interaction with standard medicines, and, where possible, what is known about its safety and efficacy. The therapies for treating coronary heart disease (CHD) range from the more commonly encountered herbs, vitamins, supplements, and dietary fats and oils, to such less familiar techniques as acupuncture, homeopathy, massage, chelation therapy, meditation, aroma therapies, prayer, and energy therapies.

Senior physicians, cardiologists, urologists, psychologists, and pharmacologists critically review the relation between heart disease and erectile dysfunction (ED) and explain for the practicing physician the effective new treatment options available for the cardiac patient with ED. The authors detail in concise language the latest thinking about the risk of sexually induced cardiac events, the efficacy and risks to cardiac patients of drugs used to treat sexual dysfunction, and the expert guidelines developed by prominent organizations on the optimal approach to sexual dysfunction in the cardiac patient. They also discuss the physiology of ED and the currently available therapies (sildenafil, tadalafil, and vardenafil) may interact with the cardiac system, and the potential application of newer agents like phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors to cardiovascular disease.

Leading physicians summarize in this easy-to-use and eminently practical handbook the day-to-day management of transplant donors and recipients at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. Topics covered range from surgical techniques, pathology, and immunosuppression, to posttransplant management, pediatric heart transplantation, surgical alternatives, and mechanical circulatory assistance as a bridge to transplantation. The authors also discuss congenital transplant techniques, state-of-the-art perioperative management techniques and protocols, and UNOS regulation and nurse coordination.

For over 50 years, coronary angiography has been the mainstay of diagnosing and quantifying the extent of coronary artery disease. However appreciation of the inherent limitations of conventional angiography has led to a plethora of new imaging modalities, each with their relative strengths and potential pitfalls. Advances in these techniques have given clinicians, as well as researchers, an overwhelming amount of information and the need for thoughtful interpretation.This outstanding book provides a comprehensive overview of the current status of imaging of coronary atherosclerosis. Covering the wide variety of available imaging modalities, the book provides state-of-the-art knowledge from leading authorities in each area. In their discussion, the authors include both invasive and non-invasive modalities, including the gold standard coronary angiography, the growing field of IVUS, and novel techniques such as functional imaging, molecular imaging, and the integration of biomarkers.The key concepts and practical information given in this volume will provide the reader with the necessary understanding to choosing appropriate imaging studies and building confidence in their skill set with each.

Peripheral and Cerebrovascular Intervention draws upon experts from diverse fields to provide readers with a comprehensive foundation for understanding and performing endovascular procedures—from the basic steps to the most current and advanced techniques. Individual chapters focus on primary intervention sites, including lower extremity, renal/mesenteric, subclavian/upper extremity, carotid/vertebral, intracranial and venous interventions. Additionally, chapters covering critical limb ischemia and abdominal and thoracic aortic aneurysms are included. By incorporating valuable clinical information, such as indications, contraindications, complications and discussions of surgical techniques and procedures, this book is a valuable resource for the busy practitioner and will be of interest to all interventional and general cardiologists, radiologists and neurologists; vascular surgeons; internists and residents and fellows.

The electrocardiogram (ECG) is the ? rst test performed on most cardiac patients–one that helps make the ? rst part of the diagnosis and one that can frequently direct treatment decisions. Thus, for any phy- cian, a solid understanding of the ECG is critical. Learning the basics and subtleties of the ECG is a right of passage for all physicians and healthcare providers during their training. So, what would we want from a book on ECGs? Ideally, such a book would be comprehensive, yet concise, practically oriented, and explain pathophysiology and its application to practice. Dr. Khan has written such a book. Rapid ECG Interpretation is comprehensive, yet concise, and very practically oriented. More imp- tant, it takes a step-by-step approach, walking the reader through a thorough evaluation of the ECG. This, as many of us have been taught, is the “right” way to look at an ECG. This edition includes a new opening chapter that covers basic concepts. This quickly orients the reader to the physiology, anatomy, and geometry of the electrical system of the heart. After reviewing each component of the ECG, the next section describes the unique ECG patterns of speci? c cardiac conditions, including pulmonary embolism and long QT syndrome. This is f- lowed by a chapter with each of the arrhythmias. Finally, Dr. Khan includes an invaluable section—an ECG Board Review and Self- Assessment Quiz. With this, the reader can really see if the basic c- cepts and ECG fundamentals have been learned.

Over the past three decades, carotid artery stenting has evolved to become a promising and viable alternative to carotid endarterectomy, especially for patients deemed to have high surgical risks. In Carotid Artery Stenting: The Basics, Jacqueline Saw and a panel of international experts on carotid artery stenting discuss in depth the details of all contemporary aspects of carotid stenting, while reviewing supporting studies, guidelines, technical perspectives, and peri-procedural management. This textbook serves as a learning resource on the multifaceted management of patients with carotid artery stenosis, with the key focus on extracranial carotid artery stenting. Additional sections detail the specifics of setting up and maintaining a laboratory and discuss the preparation of the carotid artery stenting procedure from both the patient and operator’s perspective. Authoritative and highly practical, Carotid Artery Stenting: The Basics is an accessible guide and valuable resource for today’s cardiologists, radiologists, and vascular surgeons.

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) continues to challenge our health care system in the complexity of presentation and the ever increasing number of patients exhibiting signs and symptoms of an acute coronary syndrome. Written by leading experts, Short Stay Management of Chest Pain provides scientific and clinical insights on the management of patients who arrive at the hospital with a presentation consistent with a potential acute coronary syndrome. Focusing on the cardiology aspects of chest pain, Short Stay Management of Chest Pain is a valuable tool for acute care physicians, nurses, and hospital administrators devoted to caring for this population. Short Stay Management of Chest Pain details the remarkable improvements in diagnostic accuracy and improved patient outcomes for patients presenting with suspected acute coronary syndromes.

Advancements in the treatment and prevention of Atrial Fibrillation are presented in this important new book. Atrial Fibrillation affects approximately 2.5 million individuals in the United States and is projected to affect 15 million individuals by 2050. In Atrial Fibrillation: From Bench to Bedside, the reader is provided with the latest information that is critically important in the daily care and for the potential cure of patients with Atrial Fibrillation. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of Atrial Fibrillation and was authored by internationally recognized experts in the evolving field of cardiac electrophysiology. This book is a single source that provides a multi-perspective look at and approach to Atrial Fibrillation. Because Atrial Fibrillation is so prevalent and affects all areas of medicine, the information in this book will be useful to cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, researchers, and all those in the medical field.

Leading interventional cardiologists, including Patrick Serruys, Eric Topol, David Holmes, Thomas Luscher and others provide the gold-standard reference on the treatment of restenosis (coronary artery blockage) for interventional cardiologists. Dr. Serruys, who pioneered the use of drug-eluting stents, and other pioneers in the field cover everything from non-invasive imaging, to eluting stents, to brachytherapy through to the latest molecular biology-based treatments including antisense, stem cells and gene therapy, making this an essential reference for all interventional cardiologists.

The significantly updated second edition of this important work provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), a rapidly evolving tool for diagnosis and intervention of cardiovascular disease. New and updated chapters focus on recent applications of CMR such as electrophysiological ablative treatment of arrhythmias, targeted molecular MRI, and T1 mapping methods. The book presents a state-of-the-art compilation of expert contributions to the field, each examining normal and pathologic anatomy of the cardiovascular system as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging. Functional techniques such as myocardial perfusion imaging and assessment of flow velocity are emphasized, along with the exciting areas of artherosclerosis plaque imaging and targeted MRI. This cutting-edge volume represents a multi-disciplinary approach to the field, with contributions from experts in cardiology, radiology, physics, engineering, physiology and biochemistry, and offers new directions in noninvasive imaging. The Second Edition of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging is an essential resource for cardiologists and radiologists striving to lead the way into the future of this important field.

Leading world authorities drawn from cardiology, surgery, pediatrics, internal medicine, and basic science comprehensively survey the diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic aspects of cardiogenic shock. These experts describe the different scenarios leading to cardiogenic shock, the ways to diagnose their causes, the unique therapeutic options based on those causes, and the outcomes associated with treatment and without. The book also surveys the biochemical and physiological changes that occur in the heart and other organs during cardiogenic shock, the identification of patients at risk for developing shock, and the novel pharmacological agents and assist devices that can help to stabilize the shock patient.

James C. Fang, MD, and Gregory S. Couper, MD, have assembled a panel of prominent surgeons and cardiologists to review the latest clinical, scientific, and investigational surgical and mechanical approaches to heart failure in hopes of improving the lives of this challenging group of patients. Topics range from such traditional strategies as high-risk surgical revascularization in advanced coronary artery disease, to more novel approaches such as ventricular reconstruction and mechanical assist devices. Many chapters are contributed by the original pioneers of specific surgical techniques, which provide s invaluable perspective from personal experience.

Leading practitioners from the University of Pennsylvania review all aspects of heart failure diagnosis and management, with a particular emphasis on office-based/ambulatory care. Following the problem-solving steps used in an office-based practice, the authors provide extensive coverage of the presenting signs and symptoms of heart failure, as well as the tools with which to evaluate left-ventricular function, hemodynamics, and exercise performance. They also discuss the complex, evidenc-based therapeutic options for treating patients with dyspnea, fatigue, or edema, following the new ACC/AHA heart failure guidelines that are specifically and directed at targeted symptoms.

Recognized experts comprehensively review the clinical, surgical, radiological, and scientific aspects of atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including endovascular, gene, and drug therapies. In their far-ranging discussions, the authors examine in depth the risk factors and antiplatelet therapies for PAD patients at high risk for suffering a heart attack and/or and stroke, the question of exercise rehabilitation, the surgical approaches to revascularization, and the preoperative evaluation and perioperative management of the vascular patient. Completing this detailed overview is important information on ameliorating the risk factors for PAD, its pathogenesis and epidemiology, and the physiological and pathophysiological basis of available diagnostic tests.

Reviews the best therapies and surgical techniques available to provide quality care for the elderly cardiac patient and of those areas that require further research. The authors detail preventive therapies and the cardiovascular syndromes that disproportionately afflict the older individual, including arrhythmias (particularly atrial fibrillation), syncope, heart failure (particularly diastolic heart failure), and ischemic heart disease. They also delineate the surgical management of the heart patient with discussions of postoperative management and its complications and of specific surgical procedures such as coronary artery bypass grafting, valve surgery, pacemaker and defibibrillators, and surgical management of heart failure.

A comprehensive review of all the latest developments in cardiac electrophysiology, focusing on both the clinical and experimental aspects of ventricular repolarization, including newly discovered clinical repolarization syndromes, electrocardiographic phenomena, and their correlation with the most recent advances in basic science. The authors illuminate the basic electrophysiologic, molecular, and pharmacologic mechanisms underlying ventricular repolarization, relate them to specific disease conditions, and examine the future of antiarrhythmic drug development based on both molecular and electrophysiological properties. They also fully review the clinical presentation and management of specific cardiac repolarization conditions.