Critical Care Cardiology [antikvár]

If, as has been suggested, critical care medicine is rapidly becoming the new frontier in the field of health care, cardiologists deserve much of the credit. The design concept of coronary care units, the development of new monitoring tools and the formulation of specific treatment strategies have greatly influenced the management of critically ill patients in all fields of medicine, including accident victims and patients in multi-system failure. This compact, yet comprehensive volume on critical care cardiology, the third in a series of books on Progress in Critical Care Medicine, comes at a time when new techniques of pharmacologic, mechanical and surgical intervention have become available in rapid succession. The whole spectrum of innovative approaches in critical care cardiology, from antiarrhythmic therapy to thrombolysis and balloon angioplasty is covered, emphasizing not only diagnosis and treatment, but also the underlying pathophysiology. Each topic is discussed by a leading authority in his or her field and particular attention is given to practical decision-making in difficult clinical situations. Special chapters deal with indication, procedural methodology and possible complications of recently introduced mechanical and pharmacological interventions. In addition to a thorough review of established and proven procedures, the newest developments in fields such as cardiac imaging and laser angioplasty are presented. It is hoped that this book will provide a sound basis for all practitioners involved in the advancement of critical care cardiology. As a companion to the earlier volumes on 'Multiple Trauma' and 'Critical Care in Internal Medicine', it may also prove useful to clinicians, nurses and health professionals from other fields who want to stay informed on new techniques which may be of benefit to their patients. Walter H. Massion