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Cardiac pathology — an integrated text and colour atlas
220 I cannot recommend the library copy.
that you buy a copy. At &30 the curious would do better to borrow
Department of Cardiology. Guy’s Hospital. London SE1 9RT. U.K.
Clive E. Handler
Genetic Epidemiology of Coronary Heart Disease; Past, Present and Future (Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Vol. 147) Editors: D.C. Rao, Robert C. Elston, Lewis H. Kuller, Manning Feinleib, Christine Carter, Richard Havlik Alan R. Liss, New York, 1984; 604 pp.; g60.00; ISBN 0-8451-0147-l Although the genetic element in ischaemic heart disease is widely recognized, it is surprising how little formal information there is on its magnitude or on the extent to which it operates through various risk factors - known or unknown. The importance of the topic is far from purely theoretical. The use of a valid measure of the genetic contribution to risk from ischaemic disease would facilitate the increasingly sensitive and specific selection of participants in trials and of those towards whom special preventive efforts were directed. This volume is the proceedings of a Workshop held in St. Louis in August 1983. The first section consists of accounts of several of the prospective studies on ischaemic heart disease and the extent to which they have been able to identify and explain a genetic component. Each of the four main studies was reviewed by two experts, one of whom was a geneticist. The second section deals with methodological questions including the conduct and interpretation of twin studies, methods of statistical analysis and the possibilities for exploiting developments in molecular biology. A third section considers biochemical and behavioural phenotypes as markers of risk from ischaemic disease and their study by genetic methods. Finally. there is a section dealing with possibilities for future research. Readers will not find many definitive answers to the main questions, which reflects the incomplete though developing nature of the subject. But the volume is certainly well worth consulting by those who want guidance about the present state of knowledge or about the opportunities and techniques for future work. MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit Northwick Park Hospital Harrow, Middlesex, U.K.
Cardiac Pathology - an Integrated Text and Colour Atlas Anton E. Becker, Robert H. Anderson Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1984; 264 pp. (sectional ISBN O-443-3-03114-2
T.W. Meade
pagination);
L48.00;
Becker and Anderson have jointly authored this book. It is an elegant work and rightly belongs in the library of those who participate in the care of patients with acquired or congenital heart disease. In this one volume, with clarity and precision, the authors define and discuss those acquired and congenital disorders of the cardiovascular system. They initiate their volume with a chapter devoted to Cardiac Adaptation and its sequelae. a novel, but yet an important way to begin a text devoted to cardiac pathology. Their second chapter
221
catalogues and discusses those cardiac conditions affecting the lung, and illustrates lung pathology which affects the heart. The third chapter is Herculean in scope, addressing those heterogeneous conditions primarily affecting myocardial contractility. A major portion of this chapter is devoted to coronary arteriosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, infarction and their global sequelae. There is ample discussion as well of infectious myocarditis, drug-induced myocarditis, toxic cardiomyopathies, and the idiopathic cardiomyopathies. The panorama of this magnificent text continues with chapters devoted to acquired conditions primarily affecting pressure/volume load; pericardial heart disease; cardiac laceration; the aging heart; and tumors of the heart and pericardium. The remainder of the text (Chapters 9-16) is devoted to congenital heart disease. This important section begins with an excellent chapter devoted to the sequential segmental approach to the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and proceeds to discuss in depth malformations of the atrium; anomalies of the atrioventricular junction (including atrioventricular septal defects; atrioventricular discordance; double inlet ventricle; etc.); anomalies of the ventricles (including VSD and miscellaneous anomalies of the right ventricle); tetralogy of Fallot, the hypoplastic right and left heart constellations; and pulmonary and aortic outflow tract obstructions which are clearly defined and discussed in the chapter devoted to anomalies of ventricular outflow tract. The remaining chapters are devoted to those conditions characterized by abnormal ventriculo-arterial connexions; anomalies of the great arteries; and congenital anomalies of the myocardium. endocardium, pericardium. coronary arteries, and conduction tissues. The section on congenital heart disease is for the most part excellent, and should be of value to those whose primary interest is the patient with acquired heart disease as well as to those individuals who care primarily for the patient with congenital heart disease. Most forms of congenital heart disease are discussed and illustrated by the authors. Yet it is clear that the mandate of this text is not to dwell on the minutiae of congenital heart disease. Rather the emphasis is the appreciation of cardiac morphology, the implementation of a segmental sequential approach, and a highly-texted and illustrated overview of all of the common and most of the uncommon forms of congenitally malformed hearts. Thus, there is little emphasis on vascular rings and anomalies of the coronary arteries. What sets this text apart and above the others currently on the market and addressed to cardiac pathology is the magnificence and beauty of the colour illustrations. Becker and Anderson have added a new dimension to texts of cardiac pathology. Both acquired and congenital heart conditions are illustrated in richly-coloured specimens photographed against a black background. Labelled line and coloured diagrams accompany many of the colour photographs. The beauty and teaching benefit of these magnificent colour plates cannot be over-emphasized. This is a benchmark in texts devoted to cardiac pathology. At 48 UK pounds, this is a fantastic bargain. Finally, I am delighted that Becker and Anderson have dedicated their text to Dr. Jesse Edwards. For all of us who have more than a passing interest in the pathology of acquired and congenital heart disease, it is evident that Dr. Edwards has dedicated his professional life to describing and illustrating with clarity those conditions covered in this text. This magnificent tome is a fitting tribute to the “Doyen of Cardiac Pathologists”. Hospital for Sick Children Toron to Canada * Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Cardiology.
Robert
M. Freedom
*
that you buy a copy. At &30 the curious would do better to borrow
Department of Cardiology. Guy’s Hospital. London SE1 9RT. U.K.
Clive E. Handler
Genetic Epidemiology of Coronary Heart Disease; Past, Present and Future (Progress in Clinical and Biological Research, Vol. 147) Editors: D.C. Rao, Robert C. Elston, Lewis H. Kuller, Manning Feinleib, Christine Carter, Richard Havlik Alan R. Liss, New York, 1984; 604 pp.; g60.00; ISBN 0-8451-0147-l Although the genetic element in ischaemic heart disease is widely recognized, it is surprising how little formal information there is on its magnitude or on the extent to which it operates through various risk factors - known or unknown. The importance of the topic is far from purely theoretical. The use of a valid measure of the genetic contribution to risk from ischaemic disease would facilitate the increasingly sensitive and specific selection of participants in trials and of those towards whom special preventive efforts were directed. This volume is the proceedings of a Workshop held in St. Louis in August 1983. The first section consists of accounts of several of the prospective studies on ischaemic heart disease and the extent to which they have been able to identify and explain a genetic component. Each of the four main studies was reviewed by two experts, one of whom was a geneticist. The second section deals with methodological questions including the conduct and interpretation of twin studies, methods of statistical analysis and the possibilities for exploiting developments in molecular biology. A third section considers biochemical and behavioural phenotypes as markers of risk from ischaemic disease and their study by genetic methods. Finally. there is a section dealing with possibilities for future research. Readers will not find many definitive answers to the main questions, which reflects the incomplete though developing nature of the subject. But the volume is certainly well worth consulting by those who want guidance about the present state of knowledge or about the opportunities and techniques for future work. MRC Epidemiology and Medical Care Unit Northwick Park Hospital Harrow, Middlesex, U.K.
Cardiac Pathology - an Integrated Text and Colour Atlas Anton E. Becker, Robert H. Anderson Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1984; 264 pp. (sectional ISBN O-443-3-03114-2
T.W. Meade
pagination);
L48.00;
Becker and Anderson have jointly authored this book. It is an elegant work and rightly belongs in the library of those who participate in the care of patients with acquired or congenital heart disease. In this one volume, with clarity and precision, the authors define and discuss those acquired and congenital disorders of the cardiovascular system. They initiate their volume with a chapter devoted to Cardiac Adaptation and its sequelae. a novel, but yet an important way to begin a text devoted to cardiac pathology. Their second chapter
221
catalogues and discusses those cardiac conditions affecting the lung, and illustrates lung pathology which affects the heart. The third chapter is Herculean in scope, addressing those heterogeneous conditions primarily affecting myocardial contractility. A major portion of this chapter is devoted to coronary arteriosclerosis, myocardial ischemia, infarction and their global sequelae. There is ample discussion as well of infectious myocarditis, drug-induced myocarditis, toxic cardiomyopathies, and the idiopathic cardiomyopathies. The panorama of this magnificent text continues with chapters devoted to acquired conditions primarily affecting pressure/volume load; pericardial heart disease; cardiac laceration; the aging heart; and tumors of the heart and pericardium. The remainder of the text (Chapters 9-16) is devoted to congenital heart disease. This important section begins with an excellent chapter devoted to the sequential segmental approach to the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and proceeds to discuss in depth malformations of the atrium; anomalies of the atrioventricular junction (including atrioventricular septal defects; atrioventricular discordance; double inlet ventricle; etc.); anomalies of the ventricles (including VSD and miscellaneous anomalies of the right ventricle); tetralogy of Fallot, the hypoplastic right and left heart constellations; and pulmonary and aortic outflow tract obstructions which are clearly defined and discussed in the chapter devoted to anomalies of ventricular outflow tract. The remaining chapters are devoted to those conditions characterized by abnormal ventriculo-arterial connexions; anomalies of the great arteries; and congenital anomalies of the myocardium. endocardium, pericardium. coronary arteries, and conduction tissues. The section on congenital heart disease is for the most part excellent, and should be of value to those whose primary interest is the patient with acquired heart disease as well as to those individuals who care primarily for the patient with congenital heart disease. Most forms of congenital heart disease are discussed and illustrated by the authors. Yet it is clear that the mandate of this text is not to dwell on the minutiae of congenital heart disease. Rather the emphasis is the appreciation of cardiac morphology, the implementation of a segmental sequential approach, and a highly-texted and illustrated overview of all of the common and most of the uncommon forms of congenitally malformed hearts. Thus, there is little emphasis on vascular rings and anomalies of the coronary arteries. What sets this text apart and above the others currently on the market and addressed to cardiac pathology is the magnificence and beauty of the colour illustrations. Becker and Anderson have added a new dimension to texts of cardiac pathology. Both acquired and congenital heart conditions are illustrated in richly-coloured specimens photographed against a black background. Labelled line and coloured diagrams accompany many of the colour photographs. The beauty and teaching benefit of these magnificent colour plates cannot be over-emphasized. This is a benchmark in texts devoted to cardiac pathology. At 48 UK pounds, this is a fantastic bargain. Finally, I am delighted that Becker and Anderson have dedicated their text to Dr. Jesse Edwards. For all of us who have more than a passing interest in the pathology of acquired and congenital heart disease, it is evident that Dr. Edwards has dedicated his professional life to describing and illustrating with clarity those conditions covered in this text. This magnificent tome is a fitting tribute to the “Doyen of Cardiac Pathologists”. Hospital for Sick Children Toron to Canada * Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Cardiology.
Robert
M. Freedom
*