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Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors: Scientific basis for clinical use, second edition
International Journal of Cardiology 52 (1995) 273-274
Book reviews Preparing for tbe MRCP Part 2: Cardiology
R. Egdell Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1995; 90 pp.; stg9.95; ISBN 0-7923-8869-O There are many books designed to help candidates for professional exams.To do so such texts must be written with the exam in mind but must, above all, have the inherent characteristics to provoke, stimulate, inform and be a darn good read (or the next nearest thing)! This book is pocket sized but still covers a broad range of material which is presented in humorous, informal but not patronising style. The format is well spaced and readable and will appeal to doctors becauseof the many illustrations! The questions are answered in full and on many occasions the discussion exceedsthe remit of the question. The concise information appears well researched, the topics varied and interesting. Much of the information is collated and presented in an integrated manner not found in many textbooks. Further, the many topics which are merely alluded to in such books, are explored further in this book making it a good companion text. Many of the illustrations, however, and in particular the radiographs, MRI and some ECGs are not well reproduced making interpretation more challenging than the authors intended. This book is a useful accompaniment to traditional texts when studying for the MRCP. Its compactness and readability are advantages not outweighed by the less than optimal illustrations and inherently limited range of questions; a useful and illuminative work. Dr. M.S. Hogg
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LEl 5WW, UK 0167-5273/95/$09.50 0 1995Elsevier ScienceIreland Ltd. All rights reserved SSDI 0167-5273(95)02485-F
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Scientific Basis for Clinical Use, Second Edition
Editors: L.H. Opie Wiley-Liss, Bognor, UK, 1994;316 pp.; stgg26.95; ISBN O-471-11195-3 This is the second edition of Professor Opie’s book on angiotensin-converting en,ve (ACE) inhibitors and covers both basic scienceand clinical aspectsof ACE inhibitor use. The appearance of this edition just 2 years after the first edition (1992) was brought about by both recent publication of major trials of ACE inhibitors in myocardial infarction (including AIRE, ISIS 4 and GISSI-3), and advances in understanding of the basic mechanismsunderlying ACE inhibitor action. Although the role of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure is well established by survival studies such as CONSENSUS-l, V-HEFT II and SOLVD, these more recent trials have shown improvement in prognosis following myocardial infarction. Although ACE inhibitors are a major advance in the treatment of left ventricular dysfunction and are widely used both in this condition and in hypertension, there are few informative guides to their use. This book aims to fill this gap and succeeds admirably. The first chapter describes the renin angiotensin systemin the circulation and tissue, followed by chapters dealing with ACE in-
214
Book reviews/International
Journal of Cardiology 52 (1995) 273-274
hibitors in hypertension, their effects on the kidney and heart, their use in congestive cardiac failure and diabetic nephropathy and central nervous systemeffects.There are separatechapters on the clinical pharmacology of individual ACE inhibitors (16 in total) and on their side-effectsand contraindications, There is an important chapter on the effect of ACE inhibitors on vascular endothelium, atherogenesis and potential for modifying the progression of coronary disease. Although genetic factors and the relation between ACE gene polymorphism and myocardial infarction are mentioned, they deserve a more detailed account. This book provides the clinician with a clear account of the molecular and the pathophysiological basis for the use of ACE inhibitors.
There are numerous well designed diagrams and useful tables. It is also strong on presenting data from clinical studies and trials in a concise and readable manner. The book is well referenced throughout and should be essential reading for both clinicians and basic scientists who want a balanced overview of scientific basis for the rational use of ACE inhibitors. Dr. T.W. Koh Department of Cardiology, London Chest Hospital, Bonner Road, London E2 9JX, UK. 0167-5273/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved SSDI 0167-5273(95)02486-G
Book reviews Preparing for tbe MRCP Part 2: Cardiology
R. Egdell Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, The Netherlands, 1995; 90 pp.; stg9.95; ISBN 0-7923-8869-O There are many books designed to help candidates for professional exams.To do so such texts must be written with the exam in mind but must, above all, have the inherent characteristics to provoke, stimulate, inform and be a darn good read (or the next nearest thing)! This book is pocket sized but still covers a broad range of material which is presented in humorous, informal but not patronising style. The format is well spaced and readable and will appeal to doctors becauseof the many illustrations! The questions are answered in full and on many occasions the discussion exceedsthe remit of the question. The concise information appears well researched, the topics varied and interesting. Much of the information is collated and presented in an integrated manner not found in many textbooks. Further, the many topics which are merely alluded to in such books, are explored further in this book making it a good companion text. Many of the illustrations, however, and in particular the radiographs, MRI and some ECGs are not well reproduced making interpretation more challenging than the authors intended. This book is a useful accompaniment to traditional texts when studying for the MRCP. Its compactness and readability are advantages not outweighed by the less than optimal illustrations and inherently limited range of questions; a useful and illuminative work. Dr. M.S. Hogg
Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LEl 5WW, UK 0167-5273/95/$09.50 0 1995Elsevier ScienceIreland Ltd. All rights reserved SSDI 0167-5273(95)02485-F
Angiotensin-converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Scientific Basis for Clinical Use, Second Edition
Editors: L.H. Opie Wiley-Liss, Bognor, UK, 1994;316 pp.; stgg26.95; ISBN O-471-11195-3 This is the second edition of Professor Opie’s book on angiotensin-converting en,ve (ACE) inhibitors and covers both basic scienceand clinical aspectsof ACE inhibitor use. The appearance of this edition just 2 years after the first edition (1992) was brought about by both recent publication of major trials of ACE inhibitors in myocardial infarction (including AIRE, ISIS 4 and GISSI-3), and advances in understanding of the basic mechanismsunderlying ACE inhibitor action. Although the role of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of heart failure is well established by survival studies such as CONSENSUS-l, V-HEFT II and SOLVD, these more recent trials have shown improvement in prognosis following myocardial infarction. Although ACE inhibitors are a major advance in the treatment of left ventricular dysfunction and are widely used both in this condition and in hypertension, there are few informative guides to their use. This book aims to fill this gap and succeeds admirably. The first chapter describes the renin angiotensin systemin the circulation and tissue, followed by chapters dealing with ACE in-
214
Book reviews/International
Journal of Cardiology 52 (1995) 273-274
hibitors in hypertension, their effects on the kidney and heart, their use in congestive cardiac failure and diabetic nephropathy and central nervous systemeffects.There are separatechapters on the clinical pharmacology of individual ACE inhibitors (16 in total) and on their side-effectsand contraindications, There is an important chapter on the effect of ACE inhibitors on vascular endothelium, atherogenesis and potential for modifying the progression of coronary disease. Although genetic factors and the relation between ACE gene polymorphism and myocardial infarction are mentioned, they deserve a more detailed account. This book provides the clinician with a clear account of the molecular and the pathophysiological basis for the use of ACE inhibitors.
There are numerous well designed diagrams and useful tables. It is also strong on presenting data from clinical studies and trials in a concise and readable manner. The book is well referenced throughout and should be essential reading for both clinicians and basic scientists who want a balanced overview of scientific basis for the rational use of ACE inhibitors. Dr. T.W. Koh Department of Cardiology, London Chest Hospital, Bonner Road, London E2 9JX, UK. 0167-5273/95/$09.50 0 1995 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved SSDI 0167-5273(95)02486-G