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The kidney in hypertension (Perspectives in Hypertension, vol. 1)
BOOK REVIEWS George Johnson, Jr., M.D., Book Review Section Editor The kidney in hypertension (Perspectives in Hypertension, vol. 1) N. M. Kaplan, B. M. Brenner, and J. H. Laragh, eds. New York, 1987, Raven Press, 280 pages, $69.50. This book is the first volume of an annual series Perspectives in Hypertension. The first section is composed
of five chapters that review in great detail the mechanisms by which the kidneys normally regulate blood pressure and the physiologic basis for the increase m arterial pressure with various disturbances of rcnal function. Thc chapter on the rcnin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis by Laragh is in particular recommended reading for surgeons involved in the care of patients with renovascular hypertension. The second group of essays deals with the clinical aspects of the disease and the therapeutic strategies currently available in the management of the problem. There arc six chapters on medical therapeutic modalities, which seem quite overbearing. However, the chapters on identifying patients with renovascular hypertension, and surgical and angiographic management of renal artery disease are excellent reading material for even the busy vascular surgeon. In general, the book is well edited and the chapters well written. The editors have taken great care to have every topic discussed in great detail by aclmowledged experts in the field who have provided extensive and up-todate references. Unlike some other series, this book has an extenswe index, which I found myself using frequently; other readers will probably do the same. In conclusion, this is a most useful book for those who wish a concisc but all-inclusive rewew of the role of the kidney in hypertension. Selected chapters are recommcnded reading for surgeons who evaluate and treat patients with hypertension resulting from renal artery disease. Bauer E. Sumpio, 3/LD., Ph.D. Yale University School of Medicine
Atherosclerosis reviews, vol. 14 Antonio M. Gotto, Jr. and Rodolfo Paolctti, eds. New York, 1986, Raven Press, 233 pages, $65.00. This volume contains nine articles dealing with different aspects of cardiovascular problems and represents the work of authors from five countries. Thc studies cover a broad range of topics, from an update of general epidemiologic aspects of atherosclerosis to ultramicrostructure of the cardiac sarcomere. For vascular surgeons, the two articles dealing with risk factors and the two studies on aging and atherosclerosis will be valuable for abettcr understanding of the underlying course of this disease; they can give direction to management of the "total" patient. Cardiac surgeons will find useful the sections on electrophysiologic assessment of cardiac arrhythmias as wcll as 626
the extensive analysis of microscopic anatomy of heart muscle. There are three studies dealing with lipoprotein and artery wall metabolism that will be of interest primarily to students of the basic processes in atherogenesis and biochemistry of vascular tissue. Because of the mixed appeal of these diverse topics, this volume has primary use as a reference for specific topics rather than as a standard text on one subject. James C. A. Fuchs. M.D. Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore, Md
Practical noninvasive vascular diagnosis, 2nd ed. Richard F. Kempczinsld, and James S. T. Yao, Chicago, 1987, Year Book Medical Publishers. 555 pages, $50.00. The title of this text promises the reader insight regarding the role of noninvasive vascular resting in patient management. To that end, it devotes three large sections covering arterial, cerebrovascular, and venous evaluation and diagnosis. However, the text contains wisdom m two additional sections not implied by the title. The first section concerns the vascular laboratory. Discussed in the section on the vascular laboratory are its organization and operanon, the central role and contributions of the technologist, and the assurance of quality and computerization of laboratory data. Persons establishing a laboratory will find this section particularly helpful. The second section concerns instrumentation. Separate chapters in the instrumentation section discussing the physical principles of ultrasound and plethysmography provide a foundation for understanding the individual rests covered in the remaining three sections. Sections three, four, and five provide clinically useful data for the evaluation of the arterial, cerebrovascular and venous systems, respectively. Acknowledged experts from medical, technology, and science backgrounds contribute chapters regarding specific testing methods, The authors thoroughly review the indications, technique, interpretation, capabilities, and limitations of each modality. Outdated methodologies are ignored or condensed, whereas state-of-the-art technologies are discussed at length. Noticeably absent from the text are discussions of transcranial Doppler assessment and color flow imaging, two investigative methods currently undergoing clinical validation. At the end of each section a sun~nary chapter focuses on the role of noninvasive testing in patient management. Although these chapters do reflect author bias, they serve as useful guidelines for appropriate utilization of the tests in clinical decision making and are a major strength of this book.
of five chapters that review in great detail the mechanisms by which the kidneys normally regulate blood pressure and the physiologic basis for the increase m arterial pressure with various disturbances of rcnal function. Thc chapter on the rcnin-angiotensin-aldosterone axis by Laragh is in particular recommended reading for surgeons involved in the care of patients with renovascular hypertension. The second group of essays deals with the clinical aspects of the disease and the therapeutic strategies currently available in the management of the problem. There arc six chapters on medical therapeutic modalities, which seem quite overbearing. However, the chapters on identifying patients with renovascular hypertension, and surgical and angiographic management of renal artery disease are excellent reading material for even the busy vascular surgeon. In general, the book is well edited and the chapters well written. The editors have taken great care to have every topic discussed in great detail by aclmowledged experts in the field who have provided extensive and up-todate references. Unlike some other series, this book has an extenswe index, which I found myself using frequently; other readers will probably do the same. In conclusion, this is a most useful book for those who wish a concisc but all-inclusive rewew of the role of the kidney in hypertension. Selected chapters are recommcnded reading for surgeons who evaluate and treat patients with hypertension resulting from renal artery disease. Bauer E. Sumpio, 3/LD., Ph.D. Yale University School of Medicine
Atherosclerosis reviews, vol. 14 Antonio M. Gotto, Jr. and Rodolfo Paolctti, eds. New York, 1986, Raven Press, 233 pages, $65.00. This volume contains nine articles dealing with different aspects of cardiovascular problems and represents the work of authors from five countries. Thc studies cover a broad range of topics, from an update of general epidemiologic aspects of atherosclerosis to ultramicrostructure of the cardiac sarcomere. For vascular surgeons, the two articles dealing with risk factors and the two studies on aging and atherosclerosis will be valuable for abettcr understanding of the underlying course of this disease; they can give direction to management of the "total" patient. Cardiac surgeons will find useful the sections on electrophysiologic assessment of cardiac arrhythmias as wcll as 626
the extensive analysis of microscopic anatomy of heart muscle. There are three studies dealing with lipoprotein and artery wall metabolism that will be of interest primarily to students of the basic processes in atherogenesis and biochemistry of vascular tissue. Because of the mixed appeal of these diverse topics, this volume has primary use as a reference for specific topics rather than as a standard text on one subject. James C. A. Fuchs. M.D. Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore, Md
Practical noninvasive vascular diagnosis, 2nd ed. Richard F. Kempczinsld, and James S. T. Yao, Chicago, 1987, Year Book Medical Publishers. 555 pages, $50.00. The title of this text promises the reader insight regarding the role of noninvasive vascular resting in patient management. To that end, it devotes three large sections covering arterial, cerebrovascular, and venous evaluation and diagnosis. However, the text contains wisdom m two additional sections not implied by the title. The first section concerns the vascular laboratory. Discussed in the section on the vascular laboratory are its organization and operanon, the central role and contributions of the technologist, and the assurance of quality and computerization of laboratory data. Persons establishing a laboratory will find this section particularly helpful. The second section concerns instrumentation. Separate chapters in the instrumentation section discussing the physical principles of ultrasound and plethysmography provide a foundation for understanding the individual rests covered in the remaining three sections. Sections three, four, and five provide clinically useful data for the evaluation of the arterial, cerebrovascular and venous systems, respectively. Acknowledged experts from medical, technology, and science backgrounds contribute chapters regarding specific testing methods, The authors thoroughly review the indications, technique, interpretation, capabilities, and limitations of each modality. Outdated methodologies are ignored or condensed, whereas state-of-the-art technologies are discussed at length. Noticeably absent from the text are discussions of transcranial Doppler assessment and color flow imaging, two investigative methods currently undergoing clinical validation. At the end of each section a sun~nary chapter focuses on the role of noninvasive testing in patient management. Although these chapters do reflect author bias, they serve as useful guidelines for appropriate utilization of the tests in clinical decision making and are a major strength of this book.