Transoesophageal echocardiography in clinical practice, 1st ed.

429

International Journal of Cardiology, 35 (1992) 429 sb 1992 Elsevier Science Publishers B.V. All rights reserved 0167-5?73/92/$05.00

CARD10

01494

Book Reviews Transoesophageal Practice, 1st ed. George Gower

Echocardiography

R. Sutherland et al. Medical Publishing,

pp.: f90.00;

ISBN

in Clinical

Myocardial Reperfusion Editors:

London,

1991;

102

$124.00; Transoesophageal ecohocardiography is a relatively recent topic of great interest and wide applicability to people working in the field of general cardiology. Its use has opened a “new window” in the investigation of the heart, particularly in paediatric cardiology. This approach has widened the perspective in both the clinical and surgical assessment of the heart. Throughout this book, the development of this subject has been discussed in a didactic and objective manner using clear and easily understood language. The authors have successfully attempted to clarify the main aspects of this exciting new field. Each chapter is inter-related with the others, but is written in such a way as to be read independently in a logical sequence. The pictorial layout is of excellent quality, and its integration with the text is ideal for self-learning, especially for newcomers to this technique. The references given are up-to-date. The book can, therefore, be recommended as a good source of consultation, and an excellent introduction to the technique. Dept. of Paediatrics Royal Brompton Hospital

London. UK

Carlos A.M. Pinto Research Fellow

Derek

M. Yellon

Press, ISBN

New

International Journal of Cardiology.

Robert

D. Jen-

York,

1992;

213 pp.;

X73.00;

Reperfusion injury has been a kind of Holy Grail of myocardial physiology in the 1980s. Attention has flitted from calcium iron influx to free radical mediated injury to heat stress proteins and pre-conditioning. The widespread use of the thrombolytic therapy for myocardial infarction has given an additional incentive for the understanding of myocardial protection, particularly as a means of extending the window of time in which re-opening of coronary artery will actually result in salvage of myocardium, but the gap between laboratory promise and clinical reality still remains wide. This book is an account of a conference held at Brockett Hall in England during 1991. It includes good accounts of the definitions of historical background, a succinct summary of some of the concepts and controversies about myocardial injury, and an erudite and amusing discussion of the contribution of neutrophil activation, and discussions of myocardial stunning, pre-conditioning and the role of heat stress proteins. The reader who is searching for a glib explanation of myocardial protection and reperfusion injury will search in vain. The serious research worker will find many useful references, a clear statement of his colleagues prejudices, and some liftable quotations.

Leicester. UK

Editor

and

of

O-88167-865-1;

Dept. of Cardiology University of Leicester

* European

Pathophysiology 11Qw-y

nings Raven

o-397-446-40-3

Protection: the and Reperfusion

David de Bono * Professor of Cardiology