- Email: [email protected]
Diseases of the Aorta
Diseases of the Aorta Edited by Joseph Lindsay, J r Philadelphia, Pa: Lea & Febiger, 1994. $75.00; pp 306.
The aorta and its diseases are frequently the focus of new noninvasive vascular imaging modalities such a s computed tomographic angiography and emerging percutaneous therapeutic techniques such a s stent grafts. As a result of these advances in radiology, imaging-based interventionalists are becoming more involved in the total care of patients with aortic diseases. The diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and longterm management of aortic diseases may all be within the purview of interventionalists. In this changing practice environment, books that provide an overview of the medical, surgical, and radiologic aspects of aortic diseases will be very useful. Diseases of the Aorta, edited by Joseph Lindsay, J r , a cardiologist, precisely fits this description. The major advantage of this book is its accessibility. Diseases of the Aorta covers all of the important topics in aortic diseases, while avoiding the massive size and indigestibility of encyclopedic treatises. Some of the 17 chapters will be redundant or too basic for radiologists with strong imaging andlor intementional backgrounds. Similarly, a surgeon could not expect to learn the technical details of aortic surgery from the surgical chapters. However, the 12 chapters on the aorta and its diseases provide excellent focused reviews of their topics. The first two chapters of the book discuss aortic
anatomy and physiology in a manner that makes these rather dry topics approachable. The next 10 chapters cover such topics a s congenital anomalies of the arch, heritable disorders, aortitis, atherosclerosis, primary aortic malignancy, aneurysms, occlusive disease, dissection, and trauma. Each chapter presents a reasonable discussion with numerous illustrations. The format of the book is perfect for short, quick review during a busy clinical day. The chief advantage of this book could also be viewed a s its major disadvantage. Within any given area, this is not the book to turn to if you need a comprehensive review of the subject. However, this was clearly the intent of the editor and his contributors. Unlike a major reference work, it is possible to read this 306-page book from cover to cover. This would be an excellent text to recommend to medical students on rotation through vascular-based subspecialties such a s vascular1 interventional radiology, vascular surgery, or cardiology. Residents, fellows, and generalists in many areas will also find the entire book useful. Specialists will derive the greatest benefit from chapters outside of their area of expertise. As a n introduction to the subject, Diseases of the Aorta is a good choice. -Reviewed by John A. Kaufman, MD
The aorta and its diseases are frequently the focus of new noninvasive vascular imaging modalities such a s computed tomographic angiography and emerging percutaneous therapeutic techniques such a s stent grafts. As a result of these advances in radiology, imaging-based interventionalists are becoming more involved in the total care of patients with aortic diseases. The diagnostic evaluation, treatment, and longterm management of aortic diseases may all be within the purview of interventionalists. In this changing practice environment, books that provide an overview of the medical, surgical, and radiologic aspects of aortic diseases will be very useful. Diseases of the Aorta, edited by Joseph Lindsay, J r , a cardiologist, precisely fits this description. The major advantage of this book is its accessibility. Diseases of the Aorta covers all of the important topics in aortic diseases, while avoiding the massive size and indigestibility of encyclopedic treatises. Some of the 17 chapters will be redundant or too basic for radiologists with strong imaging andlor intementional backgrounds. Similarly, a surgeon could not expect to learn the technical details of aortic surgery from the surgical chapters. However, the 12 chapters on the aorta and its diseases provide excellent focused reviews of their topics. The first two chapters of the book discuss aortic
anatomy and physiology in a manner that makes these rather dry topics approachable. The next 10 chapters cover such topics a s congenital anomalies of the arch, heritable disorders, aortitis, atherosclerosis, primary aortic malignancy, aneurysms, occlusive disease, dissection, and trauma. Each chapter presents a reasonable discussion with numerous illustrations. The format of the book is perfect for short, quick review during a busy clinical day. The chief advantage of this book could also be viewed a s its major disadvantage. Within any given area, this is not the book to turn to if you need a comprehensive review of the subject. However, this was clearly the intent of the editor and his contributors. Unlike a major reference work, it is possible to read this 306-page book from cover to cover. This would be an excellent text to recommend to medical students on rotation through vascular-based subspecialties such a s vascular1 interventional radiology, vascular surgery, or cardiology. Residents, fellows, and generalists in many areas will also find the entire book useful. Specialists will derive the greatest benefit from chapters outside of their area of expertise. As a n introduction to the subject, Diseases of the Aorta is a good choice. -Reviewed by John A. Kaufman, MD