Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

666

of this book cardiovascular,

lies mainly with its account complications.

of the respiratory

iatrogenic,

rather

Guy’s Hospital London. U.K.

Congenital Elma

the

J.F. Reidy

Heart Disease: Morphologic

J. Gussenhoven

Churchill

than

and Anton

Livingstone,

Edinburgh;

and Echocardiographic

Correlations

E. Becker 1983;

217 pp.;

g35.00;

ISBN

o-443-022623

Cross-sectional echocardiography is in essence the demonstration of cardiac morphology in life. This excellent text-book of congenital heart disease supports this concept by correlating echocardiographic and morphological sections through hearts with a variety of abnormalities, There is a wealth of information available for anyone involved in the management of patients with congenital heart disease, although the subject matter is not comprehensive because the authors have preferred to include the more common intracardiac anomalies. The illustrations of morphological sections are excellent and provide a wonderful anatomic basis for the practising cardiologist for whom cross-sectional echocardiography is now an essential tool. There are a few M-mode echocardiograms which are as good, if not better, than would be found in any textbook of congenital heart disease, but the main emphasis is on cross-sectional echocardiograms. The illustrations of the latter are on the whole very good and match up well with the morphological sections, but there are some instances such as the descriptions of tetralogy of Fallot, double outlet right ventricle and complete transposition. where the echocardiograms could have been better. Thus, two well-known and respected authors, one a clinician and the other a cardiac morphologist, have combined to produce a concise, well written, authoritative and lavishly illustrated textbook which I am delighted to display on my bookshelf. Brompton Hospital London, U.K.

Cardiopulmonary Editor: Williams

Ann

Michael L. Rigby

Resuscitation

L. Harwood

& Wilkins,

Baltimore;

1982;

183 pp.;

f18.50

This comprehensive review covers cardiopulmonary resuscitation in great detail. It is written by professionals who clearly have considerable experience in this field. In general the book strikes a good balance between the theoretical and practical aspects of resuscitation. Two chapters that are particularly good are those on perfusion in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and brain resuscitation after cardiac arrest. In the chapter on perfusion, the mechanisms of perfusion during external cardiac massage are fully discussed. The evidence seems to favour the thoracic pump concept, rather than the traditional theory based on compression of the ventricles. Useful guidelines on the practice of external massage and ventilation during resuscitation are given.

667 In the following chapter on brain resuscitation the basic principles of management are reemphasised. A balanced account for the use of Thiopentone following global cerebral ischaemia is presented. Useful guidelines on its use are given. The chapter on ventilation. the longest in the book. provides a full discussion on the airway and apparatus available to maintain ventilation. It is pleasing to read such clear and accurate guidelines on the maintenance of the airway. Positioning of the patient’s head and neck and the use of the laryngoscope during endotracheal intubation are clearly described. The chapter is. however, unbalanced by an unnecessarily extensive review of respiratory physiology in its opening pages. Attention is drawn to the need for basic research into paediatric resuscitation. We are reminded that the standards we use in children are based on adult work. This is a useful book, of value both to those introduced to cardiopulmonary resuscitation for the first time and for the more experienced professional who requires a full and up-to-date review of the subject. Brompton Hospital London. U.K.

Perinatal Cardiovascular Function Editors: N. Gootman and P.M. Gootman Marcel Dekker, New York; 1983; 416 pp.;

Michael J.H. Scallan

sfr.173.00:

ISBN O-8247-1671-x

Physiological mechanisms and changes in these mechanisms occurring in late fetal and early postnatal life are complicated and relatively ill understood. Nevertheless they have profound clinical implications and for any doctors or research workers involved in caring for children at this age a basic and up-to-date knowledge is essential. Advances in our understanding in this area, predominantly through animal research. are probably occurring at a faster rate than in any other age groups. Drs. Phyllis and Norman Gootman have admirably succeeded in providing an intelligent, intelligible and modern summary of present knowledge in this field. The book is necessarily fairly difficult to read but contains in a logical presentation a substantial majority of the information available from the world literature. The first chapter by Alice Yao provides an excellent account of the cardiovascular changes that occur before, during and after birth. Emile Scarpelli and Immanuela Moss cover fetal breathing and the onset of air breathing at birth. This important chapter perhaps highlights one minor defect in this book - namely the title. The third chapter by Zia Penefsky discusses the perinatal development of cardiac muscle function and is followed by a chapter from Michael Rosen and Robert Reder on electrophysiology of the fetal and neonatal heart. Chapter 5 by Nancy Buckley provides an interesting appraisal of knowledge on the pulmonary and systemic circulation. Chapter 6 by Phyllis Gootman discusses the complicated area of neural control and makes essential reading for researchers into sudden infant death syndrome. Finally Dov Nude1 and Norman Gootman provide the paediatrician and paediatric cardiologist with an inspired review of clinical aspects of the neonatal circulation. This chapter includes the role of fetal shunt pathways in congenital heart disease, persistent fetal circulation. congestive heart failure and cardiac arrhythmias.