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Clin. Cardiol. 23, 310 (2000)
Edited by Morton J. Kern
Wiley-Liss, Inc., New York (1999) 329 pages, illustrated, $64.95
ISBN: 0471347590
Type of Book: This is a multiauthored collection of articles covering multiple topics in clinical hemodynamics.
Scope of Book: This quite comprehensive collection of articles deals with the interpretation of cardiac pathophysiology from pressure waveform analysis.
Contents: Hemodynamic Rounds is the second edition of a successful publication. Like the first edition, this is a collection of articles that appeared in the Journal of Catheterization and Cardiovascular Diagnosis. Each chapter discusses a particular hemodynamic topic. A case presentation followed by hemodynamic analysis is the general format of each chapter. Thus, the approach is clinical and practical. A number of new chapters that reflect the evolution of invasive hemodynamic studies have been added.
Strengths: This is a superb book with nothing comparable in the cardiovascular literature. The chapters are uniformly and consistently well written and clear. The pressure tracings and other figures are clear and well described. There is a wealth of information concerning hemodynamics in each chapter. In addition, this book is filled with pearls. A complete reading and understanding of this volume would make an expert in hemodynamics out of the reader and should be required for cardiologists and cardiology trainees with a primary interest in invasive cardiology. All cardiology trainees would benefit from a careful reading of this material.
Deficiencies: There are relatively few weaknesses in this book. The primary weakness is the lack of continuity between chapters, an inevitable result of this being a collection of individual articles rather than a single manuscript. Thus, there is some inconsistency as well as repetition among chapters. General themes are not always well developed and a general synthesis of this material must come from the reader rather than the authors. However, this is a minor problem because of the clarity with which individual articles are written. Finally, inevitably, certain topics are less well developed and discussed than others. For example, congenital heart disease receives very little attention.
Summary: Overall, this is an excellent book and should be required reading for cardiologists with a primary interest in invasive cardiology and hemodynamics. All cardiologists would benefit from a careful reading of this unique and very valuable book.
Recommended Audience: This text is recommended to all cardiology trainees and invasive cardiologists.
Eric Powers, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Cardiovascular Division
Department of Internal Medicine
University of Virginia Health System
Charlottesville, Virginia
Edited by Johan Waktare and A. John Camm
Martin Dunitz, London (2000) 120 pages, illustrated, $19.95
ISBN: 1-85317-715-6
Type of Book: This dual-authored short textbook reviews the electrophysiology, evaluation, management, and treatment of atrial fibrillation.
Scope of Book: This short but well-illustrated book covers all aspects of atrial fibrillation.
Contents: In its 12 chapters this book covers all of the important aspects of atrial fibrillation including epidemiology, morbidity and mortality, atrial structure and function, electrophysiology, classification, evaluation, management, ventricular rate control, cardioversion, prophylaxis, and anticoagulation.
Strengths: This book is concise yet quite comprehensive. Since the book is not multiauthored, the contents are reviewed in an efficient manner with no redundancy. The book is well illustrated and the illustrations add a large amount of information in an efficient manner.
Deficiencies: There are only 2–4 key references after each chapter. Given the book's concise nature, atrial remodeling, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic management are only briefly reviewed. For a more complete reading list or comprehensive review of a specific aspect of atrial fibrillation one would have to use alternative sources.
Alternative Books: A more in-depth text on this subject by Falk and Podrid is of equal quality.
Recommended Audience: This book represents an outstanding concise review of atrial fibrillation. It is suitable for all healthcare professionals who deal with atrial fibrillation patients. This book contains all of the key aspects that a clinician should understand about atrial fibrillation. Even as an electrophysiologist who has a research interest in the field, I enjoyed reading this text and learned some nuances of atrial fibrillation management. I would strongly recommend this book to all. It has already become a welcome addition to my library.
Gerald V. Naccarelli, M.D.
Professor of Medicine
Chief, Division of Cardiology
Director, Cardiovascular Center
Penn State College of Medicine
The Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey, Pennsylvania