Two-dimensional real-time ultrasonic imaging of the heart [antikvár]

PREFACE In the evaluation of patients who have or are suspected to have cardiac disease, the use of ultrasound is now an established and widely accepted approach. Since its modest beginning three decades ago, the technique of echocardiography developed rapidly. This success can be credited to the cooperation between the worlds of medicine and industry. Recognizing the potential clinical utility of this technique, equipment companies developed better and better instrumentation, and with competition came a leveling of the costs of this instrumentation. We hope that the future will bring not only continued improvement in technology but also a continued decrease in cost. Dr. Inge Edler made the initial clinical application of ultrasound to cardiac disease, and I feel fortunate in having a contribution from him in this book. His contribution sets the course for the remaining chapters. When I was invited to edit this textbook I had some reservations. However, after deliberation, I concluded that a textbook containing the bulk of available echocardiographic information on both acquired and congenital heart disease was necessary to fill a void. The first task was selecting the contributing authors. In each case, I selected an individual who not only has been active in the field but also has made significant contributions in the area in which he was to write about. It was a pleasant experience to note the willingness with which the great majority of the authors accepted the invitations and their enthusiasm about the project. I am indebted to these contributors. This word of thanks falls short of my true appreciation for their efforts. Although an attempt was made to minimize redundancy, in two areas I thought that overiap was indicated. The sections ' Diseases of the Myocardium ' and ' Coronary Heart Disease ' take up one of the most important aspects of cardiac ultrasound, at present and to be expected in the near and distant future, and the emphasis provided by its duplication of material in these sections was considered not only acceptable but indeed helpful. The section 'Congenital Heart Disease' also has one area of duplication, reflecting the editor's particular interest in double outlet of the right ventricle. I express gratitude to Mr. Jeffrey K. Smith of Martin-us Nijhoff Publishing Company for his continued support and help throughout the preparation of this book. In the beginning I felt that the lengths of the bibliographies and the numbers of illustrations in the chapters should be left up to the authors. The pubUshers allowed this with enthusiasm. There is no way that I can identify all those who have supported me in this endeavor. However, I would like to single out Mrs. Debbie Johnson, my secretary, for all her efforts. This book should be considered a tribute to the pioneers who envisioned a method and tended it through its eariy years to its present status as a standard clinical procedure.