- Email: [email protected]
A practice of cardiac catheterisation
125
analysis of endocardial motion derived from normal subjects, but their 95% confidence limits are wide, and no evidence is provided to suggest that they apply in disease. Inward motion of endocardium has many determinants including thickening as well as shortening of myocardium, as well as twisting and translation of the ventricle, while the relation to the outer border of contrast medium within the cavity to the trabecular structure has still to be determined in detail. Perhaps the problem should be considered simply as one of image analysis. Computer analysis of coronary artery and left ventricular angiograms thus remains largely a research procedure. The present volume is a valuable introduction to the work of the Rotterdam group in a field where many other investigators have been active. Much of the clinical material has already appeared in substantially similar form in the literature. The appeal of the present volume will be limited to those with a specialised interest in the subject. Brompton Hospital London SW3 6HP. U.K.
Derek Gibson
*
Coronary Artery Spasm - Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment. (Basic and Clinical Cardiology Series, Vol. 6) Editor: C. Richard Conti Marcel Dekker, New York/Basel, 1986; 347 pp.; $59.75 (U.S.A. and Canada), $71.50 elsewhere; ISBN O-8247-7379-9 This is the third monograph on coronary artery spasm that has appeared over the period of about one year. This in itself is a clear indication of the interest elicited by this mechanism of ischaemia which was considered with scepticism only a decade ago. Dr. Conti has successfully undertaken the task of gathering together most of the pioneers in this field, masterfully bridging the gaps with personal chapters. The book covers quite comprehensively the mechanisms of spasm, its role in ischaemic heart disease, the provocative tests and the medical and surgical treatment of the syndrome. It represents a state of the art review of the literature as all authors report on personal research and experience and it is extensively referenced. This monograph should be read by all those interested in the topic of coronary artery spasm and in ischaemic heart disease in general. Hammersmith Hospital London. U.K.
Attilio Maseri
A Practice of Cardiac Catheterisation Editors: David Mendel and Paul Oldershaw Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford/London/Edinburgh/Boston/Palo Alto/Melbourne, 1986; 340 pp.; f39.50; ISBN 0-632-01399-O In this, the third edition of a book first published in 1968, David Mendel is joined as co-editor by Paul Oldershaw. As the title suggests, the majority of the book is concerned with the practical aspects of cardiac catheterisation. In 340 pages the editors and nine invited
* hlember of the Editorial Board, Internarional Journal of Curdrolo~.
126
authors cover a wide range of topics including right, left and coronary catheterisation in adults, paediatric catheterisation, the complications that may be encountered and the effects of anaesthesia. Separate chapters cover the interpretation of results and the technical factors that may influence them. The final sections concern the findings in common forms of adult and congenital heart disease and provide an introduction to thrombolysis, coronary angioplasty and electrophysiological studies. Inevitably a book of this size cannot hope to be comprehensive in its coverage of such a large subject and only two chapters are referenced. It is easily read, however, and provides an excellent introduction to those training in invasive cardiology. It would also be of interest to those involved in the practical management of patients on intensive and coronary care units. Brompton Hospital London, U.K.
Clinical Hypertension,
Huon Gray
4th Ed.
N.W. Kaplan and E. Liebermann Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore/London/Los $53; ISBN O-683-04515-6
Angeles/Sydney,
1986; 492 pp.;
Hypertension occupies a curious position in that clinicians usually have a confident personal view of the problem and what to do about it but as years pass it becomes so clear just how imprecise our views are with regard to aetiology and which treatments, if any, maximise benefit without either causing alternative morbidity or making patients’ lives a misery. How can the practising physician get some of the difficulties into perspective? I suggest he reads this book. It is an effective and up-to-date distillation of clinical and research information which concentrates specially on areas frequently discussed. The first two chapters provide a valuable insight into the epidemiology of hypertension with a comprehensive evaluation of its significance and impact in the population as a whole and its nature and characteristics in the individual. Just over half of the book addresses itself to the natural history and pathogenesis of essential hypertension and to the more specific situations of the hypertension crises, renal and endocrine (including pregnancy and contraceptive induced) hypertension, with a guest chapter by Ellin Lieberman specifically on hypertension in children and adolescents. A further quarter tackles the rationale for non-drug and drug therapy and details of their application. Each chapter contains on average about 300 references (many for 1985) and one, Drug Therapy, has about 900. Throughout there are ample high quality figures summarised, or taken, from original papers. The text is readable and flows in a logical manner so as to leave the reader informed, even if only a small specific topic is pursued and this from a point of ignorance. Of necessity however is that each section can only be an introduction, albeit well informed, because of the sheer breadth of subjects tackled. The book is recommended for all personnel researching the disease and its treatment and this includes the pharmaceutical industry. It should be in all clinical training establishment libraries and cardiology departments. It may possibly be of some use to a few specifically interested general practitioners. I personally look forward to the next edition. Department of Clinical Pharmacology University College London The Rayne Institute London, U.K.
Christopher
Owens
analysis of endocardial motion derived from normal subjects, but their 95% confidence limits are wide, and no evidence is provided to suggest that they apply in disease. Inward motion of endocardium has many determinants including thickening as well as shortening of myocardium, as well as twisting and translation of the ventricle, while the relation to the outer border of contrast medium within the cavity to the trabecular structure has still to be determined in detail. Perhaps the problem should be considered simply as one of image analysis. Computer analysis of coronary artery and left ventricular angiograms thus remains largely a research procedure. The present volume is a valuable introduction to the work of the Rotterdam group in a field where many other investigators have been active. Much of the clinical material has already appeared in substantially similar form in the literature. The appeal of the present volume will be limited to those with a specialised interest in the subject. Brompton Hospital London SW3 6HP. U.K.
Derek Gibson
*
Coronary Artery Spasm - Pathophysiology, Diagnosis and Treatment. (Basic and Clinical Cardiology Series, Vol. 6) Editor: C. Richard Conti Marcel Dekker, New York/Basel, 1986; 347 pp.; $59.75 (U.S.A. and Canada), $71.50 elsewhere; ISBN O-8247-7379-9 This is the third monograph on coronary artery spasm that has appeared over the period of about one year. This in itself is a clear indication of the interest elicited by this mechanism of ischaemia which was considered with scepticism only a decade ago. Dr. Conti has successfully undertaken the task of gathering together most of the pioneers in this field, masterfully bridging the gaps with personal chapters. The book covers quite comprehensively the mechanisms of spasm, its role in ischaemic heart disease, the provocative tests and the medical and surgical treatment of the syndrome. It represents a state of the art review of the literature as all authors report on personal research and experience and it is extensively referenced. This monograph should be read by all those interested in the topic of coronary artery spasm and in ischaemic heart disease in general. Hammersmith Hospital London. U.K.
Attilio Maseri
A Practice of Cardiac Catheterisation Editors: David Mendel and Paul Oldershaw Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford/London/Edinburgh/Boston/Palo Alto/Melbourne, 1986; 340 pp.; f39.50; ISBN 0-632-01399-O In this, the third edition of a book first published in 1968, David Mendel is joined as co-editor by Paul Oldershaw. As the title suggests, the majority of the book is concerned with the practical aspects of cardiac catheterisation. In 340 pages the editors and nine invited
* hlember of the Editorial Board, Internarional Journal of Curdrolo~.
126
authors cover a wide range of topics including right, left and coronary catheterisation in adults, paediatric catheterisation, the complications that may be encountered and the effects of anaesthesia. Separate chapters cover the interpretation of results and the technical factors that may influence them. The final sections concern the findings in common forms of adult and congenital heart disease and provide an introduction to thrombolysis, coronary angioplasty and electrophysiological studies. Inevitably a book of this size cannot hope to be comprehensive in its coverage of such a large subject and only two chapters are referenced. It is easily read, however, and provides an excellent introduction to those training in invasive cardiology. It would also be of interest to those involved in the practical management of patients on intensive and coronary care units. Brompton Hospital London, U.K.
Clinical Hypertension,
Huon Gray
4th Ed.
N.W. Kaplan and E. Liebermann Williams and Wilkins, Baltimore/London/Los $53; ISBN O-683-04515-6
Angeles/Sydney,
1986; 492 pp.;
Hypertension occupies a curious position in that clinicians usually have a confident personal view of the problem and what to do about it but as years pass it becomes so clear just how imprecise our views are with regard to aetiology and which treatments, if any, maximise benefit without either causing alternative morbidity or making patients’ lives a misery. How can the practising physician get some of the difficulties into perspective? I suggest he reads this book. It is an effective and up-to-date distillation of clinical and research information which concentrates specially on areas frequently discussed. The first two chapters provide a valuable insight into the epidemiology of hypertension with a comprehensive evaluation of its significance and impact in the population as a whole and its nature and characteristics in the individual. Just over half of the book addresses itself to the natural history and pathogenesis of essential hypertension and to the more specific situations of the hypertension crises, renal and endocrine (including pregnancy and contraceptive induced) hypertension, with a guest chapter by Ellin Lieberman specifically on hypertension in children and adolescents. A further quarter tackles the rationale for non-drug and drug therapy and details of their application. Each chapter contains on average about 300 references (many for 1985) and one, Drug Therapy, has about 900. Throughout there are ample high quality figures summarised, or taken, from original papers. The text is readable and flows in a logical manner so as to leave the reader informed, even if only a small specific topic is pursued and this from a point of ignorance. Of necessity however is that each section can only be an introduction, albeit well informed, because of the sheer breadth of subjects tackled. The book is recommended for all personnel researching the disease and its treatment and this includes the pharmaceutical industry. It should be in all clinical training establishment libraries and cardiology departments. It may possibly be of some use to a few specifically interested general practitioners. I personally look forward to the next edition. Department of Clinical Pharmacology University College London The Rayne Institute London, U.K.
Christopher
Owens