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SEMINARS IN RESPIRATORY MEDICINE
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The Bookshelf (continued from page A22) adulthood," contains clear expositions of the floppy mitral valve syndrome, aortic stenosis, the hypertrophic myopathies; sfDui ,0£ Valsalva aneurysm, and Marfan's syndrome. This section is enriched by the editor's extensive pathologic experience. Chapers on the Pulmonary Arteries, Myocardial Ultrastructure, particularly of the right ventricle, and on the Eisenmenger Reaction, touch on problems unique to congenital heart disease and are frequently of particular concern in the patients in the postpediatric age groups. A final chapter broadly overviews surgical correction of congenital defects in adults and emphasizes progress in previously inoperable defects such as pulmonary atresia and single ventricle. Uniquely capableautbors bringing together a variety of interests, ezperienee and knowledge of congenital heart disease in adults, have produced an excellent text which will be a valuable addition to the bookshelf of every cardiologist who treats adults patients. Robert J. Hall, MD. Houston
SEMINARS IN RESPIRATORY MEDICINE. By THOMAS L. PETTY AND RJroBBH M. CmmmAcJ[. Vol I, No. I, Chronic Respiratory InsufBciency. New York, Stratton, 1979 (provided quarterly) . US: $28/yr; Overseas: $34/yr. The objective of this publication is to present current knowledge of respiratory diseases in an authoritative, practical way. It is stated to be primarily directed to the clinician and his respiratory support personnel. The first issue coven recognition and management of chronic respiratory insuHlciency. Four of the articles are by Dr. Petty, one by Dr. Cherniack and the others by guest authon. The four papers by Petty are excellent, contain practical material, and are clinically oriented. They cover clinical evaluation of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency and management of chronic airflow obstruction, the diseases involved and finish with material pertaining to home care. Dr. Petty began his series of articles giving an evaluation by history, physical examination, chest x-ray and office spirometry. This article is followed by an orderly and authoritative presentation by Dr. Reuben Cherniack on the physiologic assessment of patients with chronic respiratory insuHlciency including conventional pulmonary function testing, flow patterns, capacities, flow volume loops, gas exchange measurements, arterial blood gases and exercise techniques. This is a concisely written and informative section. In the segment pertaining to diseases with chronic flow limitation, Petty and Scoggin have some excellent material on the course and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. There is, however, a disproportionate emphasis in this chapter between asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and that given to adult cystic fibrosis. The latter is covered in considerable depth emphasizing practical aspects, but somewhat at the expense of discussion of other diseases in the spectrum of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases . The section on management of chronic airflow by Petty is excellently written and well illustrated by photographs, diagrams and case examples. Dr. Marvin I. Schwarz presents a concise and descriptive, well illustrated section on idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. This is one of the finest up-to-date presentations on the subject I have read recently. In addition, it is well referenced. The chapter on pneumoconiosis by Dr. Roger Mitchell is out of context with the material presented in the symposium. It is too superficial. It does contain a good outline and some practical points. It does not compare, in scope and depth with the other sections . The segment on the psychosocial and psychophysiologic approach to the patient by Dr. Donald L. Dudley and Judith Sitzman, R.N. was interesting, but I found it verbose and difficult to comprehend. The psychiatric aspects and the emotional, depressed state of having to live and cope with chronic obstructive lung disease is presented as a very important aspect of management. This section would be of more value to the psychiatrist, psychologist and the psychosomatically-oriented physician and social worker. This could have been presented in a more concise manner. The final section on home-based program of care and rehabilitation of patients with irreversible and chronic respiratory insuHlciency covers an extremely important aspect of patient care
often neglected. More attention to this is necessary to improve quality of life and decrease the need for hospitalization. The program as presented here is aimed at accomplishing thete goals, Drs. Petty and Cherniack are to be congratulated for a compilation of articles which should prove useful to the practicing physician and his team in the care of chronic respiratory insuHlciency. Other than the section on pneumoconioses which was too superficial and sketchy, and the one on psychosocial and psychophysiologic aspects which was too overwhelming, I found this seminar a delight to read. Overall, the issue accomplished its stated goal. Joseph F. Tomashefski, M.D., F.C.C.P. Cleveland MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE CRITICALLY ILL. By GILLIAN C. HANSON and P. L. WRIGHT. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1979, 1050 pp, $93.25 This is a British book and attains the high standard of prose and editing that we have learned to expect. It should serve as text and reference source . While the cost is high, it is probably the best volume of its kind available today. There are some areas of critical care which receive .suboptimal coverage. Examples are the use of angiography in emergency intestinal bleeding and the deliberate introduction of foreign material such as gelfoam intra-arterially to stop hemorrhage. Then there is the usual problem arising from lack of an international nomenclature. This occasionally presents the American reader with pharmaceutical names which are new to him. Confusing also is the use of k-P (Jdlo Pascal) pressure units rather than millimeten of mercury. But these are minor in view of the splendid dissertations on all aspects of critical care management.
Daold P. Boyd, M.D ., F.C.C.P. Bonan 1979 YEAR BOOK OF CARDIOLOGY. Edited by W. P. HARVEY, W. M. KIRII:END.u.L, J. W. Knua.IN, A. S. NADAS, O. PAUL and E . H. SONNBNBLICJ[. Chicago: Year Book 1979,428 pp $26.95 As has been the Year Book's format, the most significant articles from the medical and surgical literature over the years 1977 and 1978 were reviewed and a short (about 300 words) synopsis presented of each article. Most synopses are followed by a personal editorial comment. The chapters deal with such topics as fundamental hemodynamics and electrophysiology, valvular heart disease, myocardial and pericardial disease, advances in co~nary artery disease, cardiac surgery, and hypertension. The articles chosen are well summarized, but in some instances the choice of the topics may reflect the authon' personal interest rather than the scope of the year's literature. The editors' comments were especially valuable and, often enough, better than the article itself. The illustrations and diagrams are few and in most cases not very helpful. A synopsis of current literature cannot be all-embracing, but ~e 1979. Year ~k con~ much of the important recent literature in cardiovascular disease and is recommended reading for those interested in cardiovascular disease. It also serves as a starting point, a branch to swing from, in the study of a particular aspect of cardiac disease. Broce E. Mirbach, MD. Bonan
BOOKS RECEIVED RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR NURSES . By JOAN E . WEBBER.JONES, R.N. and GERALD S. DAVIS, M.D. Burlington, Vermont: Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont, 1978, $2 .50 HEALTH CARE: REGULATION, ECONOMICS, ETHICS PRACI'ICE. Edited by PHJLIp H . ABELSON. Washington' D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1978, 268 PP. $14.00 RESPIRATORY PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. By IRWIN ZIMENT. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunden, 1978, 519 pp, $29.50 (US); $33.90 (Canada)
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;
The Bookshelf (continued from page A22) adulthood," contains clear expositions of the floppy mitral valve syndrome, aortic stenosis, the hypertrophic myopathies; sfDui ,0£ Valsalva aneurysm, and Marfan's syndrome. This section is enriched by the editor's extensive pathologic experience. Chapers on the Pulmonary Arteries, Myocardial Ultrastructure, particularly of the right ventricle, and on the Eisenmenger Reaction, touch on problems unique to congenital heart disease and are frequently of particular concern in the patients in the postpediatric age groups. A final chapter broadly overviews surgical correction of congenital defects in adults and emphasizes progress in previously inoperable defects such as pulmonary atresia and single ventricle. Uniquely capableautbors bringing together a variety of interests, ezperienee and knowledge of congenital heart disease in adults, have produced an excellent text which will be a valuable addition to the bookshelf of every cardiologist who treats adults patients. Robert J. Hall, MD. Houston
SEMINARS IN RESPIRATORY MEDICINE. By THOMAS L. PETTY AND RJroBBH M. CmmmAcJ[. Vol I, No. I, Chronic Respiratory InsufBciency. New York, Stratton, 1979 (provided quarterly) . US: $28/yr; Overseas: $34/yr. The objective of this publication is to present current knowledge of respiratory diseases in an authoritative, practical way. It is stated to be primarily directed to the clinician and his respiratory support personnel. The first issue coven recognition and management of chronic respiratory insuHlciency. Four of the articles are by Dr. Petty, one by Dr. Cherniack and the others by guest authon. The four papers by Petty are excellent, contain practical material, and are clinically oriented. They cover clinical evaluation of patients with chronic respiratory insufficiency and management of chronic airflow obstruction, the diseases involved and finish with material pertaining to home care. Dr. Petty began his series of articles giving an evaluation by history, physical examination, chest x-ray and office spirometry. This article is followed by an orderly and authoritative presentation by Dr. Reuben Cherniack on the physiologic assessment of patients with chronic respiratory insuHlciency including conventional pulmonary function testing, flow patterns, capacities, flow volume loops, gas exchange measurements, arterial blood gases and exercise techniques. This is a concisely written and informative section. In the segment pertaining to diseases with chronic flow limitation, Petty and Scoggin have some excellent material on the course and progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. There is, however, a disproportionate emphasis in this chapter between asthma, bronchitis, emphysema and that given to adult cystic fibrosis. The latter is covered in considerable depth emphasizing practical aspects, but somewhat at the expense of discussion of other diseases in the spectrum of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases . The section on management of chronic airflow by Petty is excellently written and well illustrated by photographs, diagrams and case examples. Dr. Marvin I. Schwarz presents a concise and descriptive, well illustrated section on idiopathic interstitial pneumonias. This is one of the finest up-to-date presentations on the subject I have read recently. In addition, it is well referenced. The chapter on pneumoconiosis by Dr. Roger Mitchell is out of context with the material presented in the symposium. It is too superficial. It does contain a good outline and some practical points. It does not compare, in scope and depth with the other sections . The segment on the psychosocial and psychophysiologic approach to the patient by Dr. Donald L. Dudley and Judith Sitzman, R.N. was interesting, but I found it verbose and difficult to comprehend. The psychiatric aspects and the emotional, depressed state of having to live and cope with chronic obstructive lung disease is presented as a very important aspect of management. This section would be of more value to the psychiatrist, psychologist and the psychosomatically-oriented physician and social worker. This could have been presented in a more concise manner. The final section on home-based program of care and rehabilitation of patients with irreversible and chronic respiratory insuHlciency covers an extremely important aspect of patient care
often neglected. More attention to this is necessary to improve quality of life and decrease the need for hospitalization. The program as presented here is aimed at accomplishing thete goals, Drs. Petty and Cherniack are to be congratulated for a compilation of articles which should prove useful to the practicing physician and his team in the care of chronic respiratory insuHlciency. Other than the section on pneumoconioses which was too superficial and sketchy, and the one on psychosocial and psychophysiologic aspects which was too overwhelming, I found this seminar a delight to read. Overall, the issue accomplished its stated goal. Joseph F. Tomashefski, M.D., F.C.C.P. Cleveland MEDICAL MANAGEMENT OF THE CRITICALLY ILL. By GILLIAN C. HANSON and P. L. WRIGHT. New York: Grune and Stratton, 1979, 1050 pp, $93.25 This is a British book and attains the high standard of prose and editing that we have learned to expect. It should serve as text and reference source . While the cost is high, it is probably the best volume of its kind available today. There are some areas of critical care which receive .suboptimal coverage. Examples are the use of angiography in emergency intestinal bleeding and the deliberate introduction of foreign material such as gelfoam intra-arterially to stop hemorrhage. Then there is the usual problem arising from lack of an international nomenclature. This occasionally presents the American reader with pharmaceutical names which are new to him. Confusing also is the use of k-P (Jdlo Pascal) pressure units rather than millimeten of mercury. But these are minor in view of the splendid dissertations on all aspects of critical care management.
Daold P. Boyd, M.D ., F.C.C.P. Bonan 1979 YEAR BOOK OF CARDIOLOGY. Edited by W. P. HARVEY, W. M. KIRII:END.u.L, J. W. Knua.IN, A. S. NADAS, O. PAUL and E . H. SONNBNBLICJ[. Chicago: Year Book 1979,428 pp $26.95 As has been the Year Book's format, the most significant articles from the medical and surgical literature over the years 1977 and 1978 were reviewed and a short (about 300 words) synopsis presented of each article. Most synopses are followed by a personal editorial comment. The chapters deal with such topics as fundamental hemodynamics and electrophysiology, valvular heart disease, myocardial and pericardial disease, advances in co~nary artery disease, cardiac surgery, and hypertension. The articles chosen are well summarized, but in some instances the choice of the topics may reflect the authon' personal interest rather than the scope of the year's literature. The editors' comments were especially valuable and, often enough, better than the article itself. The illustrations and diagrams are few and in most cases not very helpful. A synopsis of current literature cannot be all-embracing, but ~e 1979. Year ~k con~ much of the important recent literature in cardiovascular disease and is recommended reading for those interested in cardiovascular disease. It also serves as a starting point, a branch to swing from, in the study of a particular aspect of cardiac disease. Broce E. Mirbach, MD. Bonan
BOOKS RECEIVED RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT GUIDE FOR NURSES . By JOAN E . WEBBER.JONES, R.N. and GERALD S. DAVIS, M.D. Burlington, Vermont: Vermont Lung Center, University of Vermont, 1978, $2 .50 HEALTH CARE: REGULATION, ECONOMICS, ETHICS PRACI'ICE. Edited by PHJLIp H . ABELSON. Washington' D.C.: American Association for the Advancement of Science: 1978, 268 PP. $14.00 RESPIRATORY PHARMACOLOGY AND THERAPEUTICS. By IRWIN ZIMENT. Philadelphia: W. B. Saunden, 1978, 519 pp, $29.50 (US); $33.90 (Canada)
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