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Myocarditis: Precursor of cardiomyopathy
Myocarditis: Precursor of Cardiomyopathy Editors: John A. Robinson and John B. O’Connell The Collamore Press, D.C. Heath & Company, Lexington, 1983: 160 pp.; fZ31.35; ISBN 0-6690-6170-O
Massachusetts,
Toronto,
Dilated or congestive cardiomyopathy remains a puzzling condition, despite the many efforts made to gain insight into etiology and pathogenesis. For a while the introduction of endomyocardial biopsies was considered a major step forward in this respect, but it is presently clear that this procedure has not fulfilled its expectations. The rapidly expanding knowledge of immunology and immune-mediated diseases has opened new gates through which to consider dilated cardiomyopathies. It has been suggested for a long time that a primary inflammatory process of the myocardium of unknown etiology could eventually lead to a failing myocardium without traceable morphologic changes..This book, edited by John Robinson and John O’Connell, is totally devoted to this consideration. The volume starts with chapters dealing with the basic aspects of immunology and the immune response in relation to diseases. The following chapters consider the natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy. the evidence linking this disease to viral myocarditis, the modes of detection of inflammation in such hearts and the pathology of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. The final two chapters deal with treatment of myocarditis (both conventional and speculative based on the previous considerations) and cardiac transplantation. The chapters are well written, clear and concise. Despite the fact that it is not always evident where controlled facts end and speculation begins, the book provides a firm scientific footing for an immune-mediated disease as the underlying pathogenetic mechanism in dilated cardiomyopathies. For those who want to expand the horizon of understanding cardiovascular diseases this book is most valuable. Academic Medical Center Amsterdam. The Netherlands
* Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Cardiology.
Anton
E. Becker *
Massachusetts,
Toronto,
Dilated or congestive cardiomyopathy remains a puzzling condition, despite the many efforts made to gain insight into etiology and pathogenesis. For a while the introduction of endomyocardial biopsies was considered a major step forward in this respect, but it is presently clear that this procedure has not fulfilled its expectations. The rapidly expanding knowledge of immunology and immune-mediated diseases has opened new gates through which to consider dilated cardiomyopathies. It has been suggested for a long time that a primary inflammatory process of the myocardium of unknown etiology could eventually lead to a failing myocardium without traceable morphologic changes..This book, edited by John Robinson and John O’Connell, is totally devoted to this consideration. The volume starts with chapters dealing with the basic aspects of immunology and the immune response in relation to diseases. The following chapters consider the natural history of dilated cardiomyopathy. the evidence linking this disease to viral myocarditis, the modes of detection of inflammation in such hearts and the pathology of myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. The final two chapters deal with treatment of myocarditis (both conventional and speculative based on the previous considerations) and cardiac transplantation. The chapters are well written, clear and concise. Despite the fact that it is not always evident where controlled facts end and speculation begins, the book provides a firm scientific footing for an immune-mediated disease as the underlying pathogenetic mechanism in dilated cardiomyopathies. For those who want to expand the horizon of understanding cardiovascular diseases this book is most valuable. Academic Medical Center Amsterdam. The Netherlands
* Member of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Cardiology.
Anton
E. Becker *