- Email: [email protected]
Cardiac anaesthesia for infants and children
International Journal of Cardiology 47 (1994) 85-87
ELSEVIER
Book reviews
The Cardiac Renin-Angiotensin System Editors: K. Lindpaintner, D. Ganten Futura, New York, USA,. 1994, 375 pp.; $75.00; ISBN O-87993-571-5
Cardiac Anaesthesia for Infants and Children Editor: J. Kambam. Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1994; 402 pp.; stgf63.00; IBSN o-8016-7289-9
This monograph contains 18 chapters relating to the cardiac renin-angiotensin system, directly or indirectly. What it lacks is a substantive review of the assembled information in a way that would facilitate future investigation of the topic. For example, Chapter 16 by Husain and colleagues, dealing with human heart chymase, summarises their convincing evidence for the existence of this most efficient and specific enzyme for the conversion of AI to AIL This enzyme is not affected by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and Husain et al reasonably conclude that ‘Ang II formation may continue in heart tissue during chronic ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with CHF’. Yet preceding chapters (e.g. Chapter 1) intimate that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of CHF is due to inhibition of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system. Similarly, evidence is presented that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition may be due to suppression of bradykinin degradation (Linz et al, Chapter 14), yet elsewhere (Griendling and Alexander, Chapter S), it is indicated that the effect of the AT,-receptor antagonist, losartan, in CHF is ‘nearly indistinguishable’ from that of ACE inhibition. Although critical reading of each of the chapters would allow individuals to identify these anomalies and draw their own conclusions, an insightful resume by the editors would have been particularly useful. Nonetheless, this book is of value in bringing together information in this fast-growing area. Although not of central importance, it is unfortunate that on the first page of the first chapter there is evidence of poor proof-reading (‘principle’ used when ‘principal’ was intended, and another obvious typographical error).
The aim of this book, as stated in its forewords and preface, is to produce an informative and instructive manual to be of value to students and house officers in anaesthesia. The scope of the book clearly grew as it was written. As it stands there is valid information for all grades of staff in a multi-disciplinary field. Divided into two sections, General Principles and Particular Malformations, there is a clearly structured and well presented format which provides an up-to-date basis for clinical practice. Dr Kambam has drawn on information from his colleagues at Nashville, and indeed, the anaesthetic management presented is clearly a unit based standard. This is, however, not a valid point for criticism. In its second section, there are well written and clearly illustrated accounts of the embryology, anatomy, pathophysiology symptoms and signs associated with each of the major congenital cardiac anomalies. There are valuable helpful pointers in the principles of anaesthetic management. In consequence of this method of presentation there is a certain amount of repetition. This helps to reinforce rather than detract from the value of the text. Each chapter is supported by a comprehensive and relevant collection of references. I believe that this book would be of great value to the interested anaesthetic trainee, it is also an admirable teaching aid, and I would commend it to any professional working in the field of paediatric cardiac disease.
Faculty of Medicine Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
Consultant Anaesthetist Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Glenfield Hospital Leics, UK
Dr N.A. Moore
Dr T. Bennett Cardiovascular Response to Exercise Editor: Gerald F. Fletcher Futura, New York, 1994; 446pp.;$75.00; ISBN O-87993-559-6 This book, published in the American Heart Associa.
ELSEVIER
Book reviews
The Cardiac Renin-Angiotensin System Editors: K. Lindpaintner, D. Ganten Futura, New York, USA,. 1994, 375 pp.; $75.00; ISBN O-87993-571-5
Cardiac Anaesthesia for Infants and Children Editor: J. Kambam. Mosby, St. Louis, MO, 1994; 402 pp.; stgf63.00; IBSN o-8016-7289-9
This monograph contains 18 chapters relating to the cardiac renin-angiotensin system, directly or indirectly. What it lacks is a substantive review of the assembled information in a way that would facilitate future investigation of the topic. For example, Chapter 16 by Husain and colleagues, dealing with human heart chymase, summarises their convincing evidence for the existence of this most efficient and specific enzyme for the conversion of AI to AIL This enzyme is not affected by angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, and Husain et al reasonably conclude that ‘Ang II formation may continue in heart tissue during chronic ACE inhibitor therapy in patients with CHF’. Yet preceding chapters (e.g. Chapter 1) intimate that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibitors in the treatment of CHF is due to inhibition of the cardiac renin-angiotensin system. Similarly, evidence is presented that the beneficial effects of ACE inhibition may be due to suppression of bradykinin degradation (Linz et al, Chapter 14), yet elsewhere (Griendling and Alexander, Chapter S), it is indicated that the effect of the AT,-receptor antagonist, losartan, in CHF is ‘nearly indistinguishable’ from that of ACE inhibition. Although critical reading of each of the chapters would allow individuals to identify these anomalies and draw their own conclusions, an insightful resume by the editors would have been particularly useful. Nonetheless, this book is of value in bringing together information in this fast-growing area. Although not of central importance, it is unfortunate that on the first page of the first chapter there is evidence of poor proof-reading (‘principle’ used when ‘principal’ was intended, and another obvious typographical error).
The aim of this book, as stated in its forewords and preface, is to produce an informative and instructive manual to be of value to students and house officers in anaesthesia. The scope of the book clearly grew as it was written. As it stands there is valid information for all grades of staff in a multi-disciplinary field. Divided into two sections, General Principles and Particular Malformations, there is a clearly structured and well presented format which provides an up-to-date basis for clinical practice. Dr Kambam has drawn on information from his colleagues at Nashville, and indeed, the anaesthetic management presented is clearly a unit based standard. This is, however, not a valid point for criticism. In its second section, there are well written and clearly illustrated accounts of the embryology, anatomy, pathophysiology symptoms and signs associated with each of the major congenital cardiac anomalies. There are valuable helpful pointers in the principles of anaesthetic management. In consequence of this method of presentation there is a certain amount of repetition. This helps to reinforce rather than detract from the value of the text. Each chapter is supported by a comprehensive and relevant collection of references. I believe that this book would be of great value to the interested anaesthetic trainee, it is also an admirable teaching aid, and I would commend it to any professional working in the field of paediatric cardiac disease.
Faculty of Medicine Department of Physiology and Pharmacology Queen’s Medical Centre Nottingham NG7 2UH, UK
Consultant Anaesthetist Department of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Glenfield Hospital Leics, UK
Dr N.A. Moore
Dr T. Bennett Cardiovascular Response to Exercise Editor: Gerald F. Fletcher Futura, New York, 1994; 446pp.;$75.00; ISBN O-87993-559-6 This book, published in the American Heart Associa.