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Diagnosis and therapy of coronary artery disease
393
with clinical descriptions of the effects of hypokalaemia and the role of magnesium in potassium deficiency. Other sections deal with hyperkalaemia and cardiac arrhythmias, potassium in blood pressure homeostasis, the treatment of hypo- and hyperkalaemia and a controversy section in which protagonists state their views on significance and management of diuretic-induced hypokalaemia and the role of the diuretic as first line treatment in hypertension. The book suffers from the flaw exhibited by most works of its kind i.e. some authors interpret their brief widely and present an interesting and stimulating overview: other authors repeat what they have already published elsewhere. Much of the “original data” has a distinctly familiar look about it. It will enjoy a fairly limited life-span as a handy source of references in this important and rapidly changing area. In their press release the publishers recommend the work to every professional group from cardiosonographers to renal physiologists. Most of the groups listed will find something of interest although their needs can probably be met from the reference shelves of medical school libraries. Department of Medicine Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE2 7LX. U.K.
J.D. Swales
Diagnosis and Therapy of Coronary Artery Disease, 2nd ed. Editor: Martinus
Peter
F. Cohn
Nijhoff
268, $69.50,
Publishing,
JZ55.75; ISBN
Boston/Dordrecht/Lancaster,
1985;
517
pp.;
Dfl
O-89838-693-4
This is the second edition of this American multi-author volume directed principally towards internists and clinical cardiologists. The title could well have begun “Controversies in the diagnosis . . , etc,” for none of the contributing experts have shirked the task of balancing what is known and can be done against what is of proven value and should be done. Divided into three sections, the text deals with the pathogenesis, the diagnosis and evaluation, and the prevention and therapy of coronary artery disease. The first section of necessity includes a considerable account of experimental studies of myocardial ischaemia in animals, but there is also a chapter on epidemiology. The second section gives ample opportunity for the authors to enthuse about the contribution of their own particular fields of expertise to diagnosis and evaluation. Thus, after a salutory account of clinical methods there follow chapters on arrhythmias, exercise testing, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and catheterisation. Where necessary, though, enthusiasm is tempered with caution and reservation in keeping with the critical approach of the whole book. The third section deals with primary prevention of coronary artery disease, and the medical and surgical management of angina and myocardial infarction. The chapter on acute myocardial infarction gives very detailed (and sometimes repetitious) accounts of methods of of assessing and attempting to reduce infarct size as well as the various pharmacological manoeuvres which can be employed in various stages of heart failure. The interpretation and practical value of haemodynamic monitoring with Swan-Ganz catheters should be of particular value to those units just moving into this area. However, there is no discussion of the use of ACE inhibitors in either acute or chronic heart failure. The section finishes with chapters on rehabilitation and psychosocial adjustments after myocardial infarction. I enjoyed reading this book and will find it a valuable aid. It is extensively referenced from recent sources and the tables and diagrams well set out. There are few typographical errors
394
and I came across only one slip (5% saline in water, p. 358). The thrust is technological very American, but cardiologists worldwide will find something in it for them.
and
Department of Medicine University Hospital Nottingham, U.K.
Robert
G. Wilcox *
Cardiac Pacemakers. Diagnostic options, dual chamber pacing, rate-responsive pacing, antitachycardia pacing
D.W. Behrenbeck, E. Sowton, G. Fontaine and U.J. Winter Steinkopff Verlag, Darmstadt and Springer Verlag, New York, 1985; 322 pp.; DM 120, US $45; ISBN 3-7985-0679-5 (Steinkopff) o-387-91270-3 (Springer)
Editors:
Cardiac pacing and related subjects seem to be the commonest victim of published proceedings. This volume is yet another in this long tradition. The book is divided into 3 sections covering diagnostic pacemakers, physiologic and rate responsive pacing and anti-tachycardia pacing. There are 40 contributions in all, mostly from authors in Europe. As the titles of the 3 major sections suggest, the content is wide ranging. Most of the papers take the form of communication of preliminary results and as such not many of them are particularly valuable. Some contributions however combine this approach with a detailed review which is well referenced. Unfortunately some of the more interesting contributions on rate responsive pacing contain only 2 or 3 references., From the scientific point of view, the section on rate responsive pacing is the most important new development in pacing in recent years. Not much has changed in antitachycardia pacing over the last 5 years apart from the softwear used to drive pacemakers. Much of the information relating to this has been widely published in the scientific cardiological and pacing literature. I am disappointed with this book because most of the contributions have the flavour of being produced with the minimum of time and effort. If there is any merit in producing symposium proceedings, they should be published rapidly and cheaply and the books should be of high quality. With the material available, however, the editing and construction of the book has been well thought out. Each chapter is substantive and there is very little overlap between one contribution and another, a shortfall so often seen ‘in symposium proceedings. Department of Cardiology St George’s Hospital London SW17 OQT, U.K.
David Ward
Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiography, 3rd ed. Editor: William Grossman Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986; 562 pp.; $55.50; ISBN o-8121-0994-5 This excellent cardiologists.
* Member
book is highly recommended
of the Editorial
Board,
for all physicians
who are training
Internationul Journal of Cardiology
to be invasive
with clinical descriptions of the effects of hypokalaemia and the role of magnesium in potassium deficiency. Other sections deal with hyperkalaemia and cardiac arrhythmias, potassium in blood pressure homeostasis, the treatment of hypo- and hyperkalaemia and a controversy section in which protagonists state their views on significance and management of diuretic-induced hypokalaemia and the role of the diuretic as first line treatment in hypertension. The book suffers from the flaw exhibited by most works of its kind i.e. some authors interpret their brief widely and present an interesting and stimulating overview: other authors repeat what they have already published elsewhere. Much of the “original data” has a distinctly familiar look about it. It will enjoy a fairly limited life-span as a handy source of references in this important and rapidly changing area. In their press release the publishers recommend the work to every professional group from cardiosonographers to renal physiologists. Most of the groups listed will find something of interest although their needs can probably be met from the reference shelves of medical school libraries. Department of Medicine Leicester Royal Infirmary Leicester LE2 7LX. U.K.
J.D. Swales
Diagnosis and Therapy of Coronary Artery Disease, 2nd ed. Editor: Martinus
Peter
F. Cohn
Nijhoff
268, $69.50,
Publishing,
JZ55.75; ISBN
Boston/Dordrecht/Lancaster,
1985;
517
pp.;
Dfl
O-89838-693-4
This is the second edition of this American multi-author volume directed principally towards internists and clinical cardiologists. The title could well have begun “Controversies in the diagnosis . . , etc,” for none of the contributing experts have shirked the task of balancing what is known and can be done against what is of proven value and should be done. Divided into three sections, the text deals with the pathogenesis, the diagnosis and evaluation, and the prevention and therapy of coronary artery disease. The first section of necessity includes a considerable account of experimental studies of myocardial ischaemia in animals, but there is also a chapter on epidemiology. The second section gives ample opportunity for the authors to enthuse about the contribution of their own particular fields of expertise to diagnosis and evaluation. Thus, after a salutory account of clinical methods there follow chapters on arrhythmias, exercise testing, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology and catheterisation. Where necessary, though, enthusiasm is tempered with caution and reservation in keeping with the critical approach of the whole book. The third section deals with primary prevention of coronary artery disease, and the medical and surgical management of angina and myocardial infarction. The chapter on acute myocardial infarction gives very detailed (and sometimes repetitious) accounts of methods of of assessing and attempting to reduce infarct size as well as the various pharmacological manoeuvres which can be employed in various stages of heart failure. The interpretation and practical value of haemodynamic monitoring with Swan-Ganz catheters should be of particular value to those units just moving into this area. However, there is no discussion of the use of ACE inhibitors in either acute or chronic heart failure. The section finishes with chapters on rehabilitation and psychosocial adjustments after myocardial infarction. I enjoyed reading this book and will find it a valuable aid. It is extensively referenced from recent sources and the tables and diagrams well set out. There are few typographical errors
394
and I came across only one slip (5% saline in water, p. 358). The thrust is technological very American, but cardiologists worldwide will find something in it for them.
and
Department of Medicine University Hospital Nottingham, U.K.
Robert
G. Wilcox *
Cardiac Pacemakers. Diagnostic options, dual chamber pacing, rate-responsive pacing, antitachycardia pacing
D.W. Behrenbeck, E. Sowton, G. Fontaine and U.J. Winter Steinkopff Verlag, Darmstadt and Springer Verlag, New York, 1985; 322 pp.; DM 120, US $45; ISBN 3-7985-0679-5 (Steinkopff) o-387-91270-3 (Springer)
Editors:
Cardiac pacing and related subjects seem to be the commonest victim of published proceedings. This volume is yet another in this long tradition. The book is divided into 3 sections covering diagnostic pacemakers, physiologic and rate responsive pacing and anti-tachycardia pacing. There are 40 contributions in all, mostly from authors in Europe. As the titles of the 3 major sections suggest, the content is wide ranging. Most of the papers take the form of communication of preliminary results and as such not many of them are particularly valuable. Some contributions however combine this approach with a detailed review which is well referenced. Unfortunately some of the more interesting contributions on rate responsive pacing contain only 2 or 3 references., From the scientific point of view, the section on rate responsive pacing is the most important new development in pacing in recent years. Not much has changed in antitachycardia pacing over the last 5 years apart from the softwear used to drive pacemakers. Much of the information relating to this has been widely published in the scientific cardiological and pacing literature. I am disappointed with this book because most of the contributions have the flavour of being produced with the minimum of time and effort. If there is any merit in producing symposium proceedings, they should be published rapidly and cheaply and the books should be of high quality. With the material available, however, the editing and construction of the book has been well thought out. Each chapter is substantive and there is very little overlap between one contribution and another, a shortfall so often seen ‘in symposium proceedings. Department of Cardiology St George’s Hospital London SW17 OQT, U.K.
David Ward
Cardiac Catheterisation and Angiography, 3rd ed. Editor: William Grossman Lea & Febiger, Philadelphia, 1986; 562 pp.; $55.50; ISBN o-8121-0994-5 This excellent cardiologists.
* Member
book is highly recommended
of the Editorial
Board,
for all physicians
who are training
Internationul Journal of Cardiology
to be invasive