- Email: [email protected]
Heart function in health and disease
184
Book reviews /ht.
coverage of what was then relatively early data of the results of transvenous and subcutaneous lead systems attached to implantable defibrillators. An interesting chapter is contributed which examines the need, difliculties and costs of conducting clinical trials of the use of the implantable defibrillator in potentially at-risk patients. In summary, this book provides a comprehensive review of the advantages and disadvantages of implantable defibrillator therapy as perceived in 1991. The contributions are by established predominantly European experts and investigators in the field, and the book is full of useful, down-to-earth information. The individual chapters themselves are not particularly well referenced but the bibliography is drawn together at the end of the book. A recommended reference text. St Mary’s Hospital Paddington, London UK
183-185
turers will copy the clear diagrams and many researchers will start here for a good review of the literature. Most of the chapters have a useful summary but it is a pity that this was not insisted on for all authors. Although the book contains references up to two years ago, it is already out of date on certain aspects such as systolic hypertension. This can only mean a subsequent fourth edition - something to look forward to. I would recommend every library to have a copy. Department of Medicine for the Elderly Leicester General Hospital Leicester. UK
Prof CM. Castleden
SSDI 0167-5273(93)01812-C
D.W. Davies
Heart Function in Health and Disease Editors: B. Ostadal and N.S. Dhalla Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1993; stgrE83.50; ISBN O-7923-2952-2
SSDI 0167-5273(93)01774-R
Cardiovascular disease in the elderly, 3rd edition Editor: F.H. Messerli Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 005.95: ISBN O-7923-1859-5
J. Cardiol. 41 (1993)
1993; 598 pp.; stg
Distinguished specialists writing on their own subjects are bound to be informative, up-to-date and well referenced, but to ask them to relate their subject specifically to the elderly would seem to be stretching the art of the possible. I still find it difficult therefore to accept that I found Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly most enjoyable, applicable and highly relevant for any physician seeing elderly patients. Most authors have their feet realistically planted in total assessment of the patient and trying to advise on the best line of management in view of other multiple pathology. Was this sharp editing or due to most of the authors being American? For what ever reason, the book is very well balanced (more invasive techniques and treatment are relegated to the end chapters and the one on cardiac transplant is a few pages only). It deals with all cardiac problems emphasising the common and discusses the merits of available treatment. There are five excellent chapters near the end on unusual topics such as psychological adaption to cardiovascular disease and ethical considerations. Many future lec-
352
pp.;
This book is published as the Proceedings of the Cardiovascular Programme sponsored by the Council of Cardiac Metabolism of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology during the Regional Meeting of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia, June 30 to July 5 1991. This book has both the benefits and drawbacks of a conference proceedings book. The advantages are that it combines manuscripts from a group of experts giving very up-to-date reviews of their areas of interest. The disadvantages, are that there is less of a coherent theme throughout the book, and less editorial integration of the individual chapters. The book is divided into five sections, the first on restructuring and ontogenetic changes in the developing heart with an excellent chapter on comparative biology of cardiac development. The second section concerns the regulation of cardiac ionic channels. The chapters do not comprehensively cover the area, but are up-to-date in their individual areas. The third section is a combination of five chapters on the physiology and computer modelling of the development of the electrical field both on the heart and in the whole body. It will be of particular interest to clinical research workers in this area. The fourth section details cardiac adaptations especially of the right ventricle to chronic hypoxia concentrating on experimental animal studies. There is little on the human physiology of this adaptation. The last section is the
Book reviews/M.
J. Cardiol. 41 (1993)
main clinical section and details the physiology of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. This in its own right would be a very large book, and hence, it is naturally fairly selective. Individual chapters review their subjects quite well, but it is a very highly selected review of the patho-physiology of these two complex subjects. Several other areas that might rightly have been reviewed in a book of this nature, would have been the regulation of the hypertrophic response to both pressure and volume loads, and also the off-neglected area of physical training induced cardiac hypertrophy. A chapter on the more mechanical aspects of diastolic dysfunction would also have helped. The style of the book is patchy with some chapters being extremely well written and others with several grammatical and spelling mistakes. It is likely that this book will be popular with people researching into the particular areas covered in that by its nature it is fairly up-to-date, but one suspects, that this advantage would be lost fairly rapidly. In conclusion, this book is of use to research workers investigating the areas covered, and in particular looking to update their information on adjacent areas of research, but perhaps not for a wider audience. Royal Brompton
National Heart & Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London. UK
185
183-185
Dr Andrew J.S. Coats Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist
Collateral Circulation: Heart, Brain, Kidney, Limbs Editors: W. Schaper and J. Schaper Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1993; 421 pp,; stgf71.75; ISBN o-7923-2012-3 This is the third book on the subject to be compiled and edited by W. and J. Schaper. Each chapter has been written by a different contributor, usually an acknowledged expert in that field and the final result is an authoratitive, up to date review of what has become an intriguing but often confusing subject. Given the bias of the editors towards the coronary circulation, it is not suprising that the majority of the content focuses on this. There are other interesting contributions however, in particular a chapter outlining the main experimental models of collateral growth which are currently in use. There are also some excellent contributions outlining the role of growth factors in angiogenesis. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it is dissapointing that different fonts seem to have been used for certain chapters and the format used for some of the references also differs. This does not detract from the fact that this is an interesting, well compiled book which provides a good representation as to the current status of research into the function and development of collateral circulations. The emphasis on basic scientific research however, means that only clinicians with a specific interest in vascular biology and angiogenesis will find it of value. Department of Cardiology,
SSDlOl67-5273(93)01819-J
Clinical Sciences Wing, Glenfield General Hospital. Leicester. UK SSDI 0167-5273(93)01822-F
Mr M. Underwood
Book reviews /ht.
coverage of what was then relatively early data of the results of transvenous and subcutaneous lead systems attached to implantable defibrillators. An interesting chapter is contributed which examines the need, difliculties and costs of conducting clinical trials of the use of the implantable defibrillator in potentially at-risk patients. In summary, this book provides a comprehensive review of the advantages and disadvantages of implantable defibrillator therapy as perceived in 1991. The contributions are by established predominantly European experts and investigators in the field, and the book is full of useful, down-to-earth information. The individual chapters themselves are not particularly well referenced but the bibliography is drawn together at the end of the book. A recommended reference text. St Mary’s Hospital Paddington, London UK
183-185
turers will copy the clear diagrams and many researchers will start here for a good review of the literature. Most of the chapters have a useful summary but it is a pity that this was not insisted on for all authors. Although the book contains references up to two years ago, it is already out of date on certain aspects such as systolic hypertension. This can only mean a subsequent fourth edition - something to look forward to. I would recommend every library to have a copy. Department of Medicine for the Elderly Leicester General Hospital Leicester. UK
Prof CM. Castleden
SSDI 0167-5273(93)01812-C
D.W. Davies
Heart Function in Health and Disease Editors: B. Ostadal and N.S. Dhalla Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1993; stgrE83.50; ISBN O-7923-2952-2
SSDI 0167-5273(93)01774-R
Cardiovascular disease in the elderly, 3rd edition Editor: F.H. Messerli Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 005.95: ISBN O-7923-1859-5
J. Cardiol. 41 (1993)
1993; 598 pp.; stg
Distinguished specialists writing on their own subjects are bound to be informative, up-to-date and well referenced, but to ask them to relate their subject specifically to the elderly would seem to be stretching the art of the possible. I still find it difficult therefore to accept that I found Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly most enjoyable, applicable and highly relevant for any physician seeing elderly patients. Most authors have their feet realistically planted in total assessment of the patient and trying to advise on the best line of management in view of other multiple pathology. Was this sharp editing or due to most of the authors being American? For what ever reason, the book is very well balanced (more invasive techniques and treatment are relegated to the end chapters and the one on cardiac transplant is a few pages only). It deals with all cardiac problems emphasising the common and discusses the merits of available treatment. There are five excellent chapters near the end on unusual topics such as psychological adaption to cardiovascular disease and ethical considerations. Many future lec-
352
pp.;
This book is published as the Proceedings of the Cardiovascular Programme sponsored by the Council of Cardiac Metabolism of the International Society and Federation of Cardiology during the Regional Meeting of the International Union of Physiological Sciences, Prague, Czechoslovakia, June 30 to July 5 1991. This book has both the benefits and drawbacks of a conference proceedings book. The advantages are that it combines manuscripts from a group of experts giving very up-to-date reviews of their areas of interest. The disadvantages, are that there is less of a coherent theme throughout the book, and less editorial integration of the individual chapters. The book is divided into five sections, the first on restructuring and ontogenetic changes in the developing heart with an excellent chapter on comparative biology of cardiac development. The second section concerns the regulation of cardiac ionic channels. The chapters do not comprehensively cover the area, but are up-to-date in their individual areas. The third section is a combination of five chapters on the physiology and computer modelling of the development of the electrical field both on the heart and in the whole body. It will be of particular interest to clinical research workers in this area. The fourth section details cardiac adaptations especially of the right ventricle to chronic hypoxia concentrating on experimental animal studies. There is little on the human physiology of this adaptation. The last section is the
Book reviews/M.
J. Cardiol. 41 (1993)
main clinical section and details the physiology of cardiac hypertrophy and failure. This in its own right would be a very large book, and hence, it is naturally fairly selective. Individual chapters review their subjects quite well, but it is a very highly selected review of the patho-physiology of these two complex subjects. Several other areas that might rightly have been reviewed in a book of this nature, would have been the regulation of the hypertrophic response to both pressure and volume loads, and also the off-neglected area of physical training induced cardiac hypertrophy. A chapter on the more mechanical aspects of diastolic dysfunction would also have helped. The style of the book is patchy with some chapters being extremely well written and others with several grammatical and spelling mistakes. It is likely that this book will be popular with people researching into the particular areas covered in that by its nature it is fairly up-to-date, but one suspects, that this advantage would be lost fairly rapidly. In conclusion, this book is of use to research workers investigating the areas covered, and in particular looking to update their information on adjacent areas of research, but perhaps not for a wider audience. Royal Brompton
National Heart & Lung Institute, Dovehouse Street, London. UK
185
183-185
Dr Andrew J.S. Coats Senior Lecturer and Honorary Consultant Cardiologist
Collateral Circulation: Heart, Brain, Kidney, Limbs Editors: W. Schaper and J. Schaper Kluwer Academic, Dordrecht, 1993; 421 pp,; stgf71.75; ISBN o-7923-2012-3 This is the third book on the subject to be compiled and edited by W. and J. Schaper. Each chapter has been written by a different contributor, usually an acknowledged expert in that field and the final result is an authoratitive, up to date review of what has become an intriguing but often confusing subject. Given the bias of the editors towards the coronary circulation, it is not suprising that the majority of the content focuses on this. There are other interesting contributions however, in particular a chapter outlining the main experimental models of collateral growth which are currently in use. There are also some excellent contributions outlining the role of growth factors in angiogenesis. From a purely aesthetic point of view, it is dissapointing that different fonts seem to have been used for certain chapters and the format used for some of the references also differs. This does not detract from the fact that this is an interesting, well compiled book which provides a good representation as to the current status of research into the function and development of collateral circulations. The emphasis on basic scientific research however, means that only clinicians with a specific interest in vascular biology and angiogenesis will find it of value. Department of Cardiology,
SSDlOl67-5273(93)01819-J
Clinical Sciences Wing, Glenfield General Hospital. Leicester. UK SSDI 0167-5273(93)01822-F
Mr M. Underwood