In contrast to the abundance of literature on coronary artery disease available to guide the clinician in his or her management of such disease, large-scale randomized, controlled trials are rare when it comes to valvular heart disease. Much of what is known and practiced in this field is derived from multiple small, often retrospective studies. For this reason, this book is a much-needed synthesis of the available data, with commentary on the strengths and limitations of the studies on which we must base our clinical decisions. The book is edited and largely written by Dr. Catherine Otto, a widely recognized expert on this topic, with additional contributions by cardiac surgeons and a pathologist. This second edition includes additional chapters written by experts on valvular heart disease during pregnancy and in childhood, subjects that are relevant because of the wide age range of patients who are affected by valvular heart disease. The book is comprehensive without being burdensome. It offers a concise exposition of data from large epidemiologic cohorts that give
Insight into the cause, scope, and natural history of valvular heart disease, and it succinctly summarizes the results of well-referenced therapeutic investigations. The evolving role of magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, and positron-emission tomography in the evaluation of the patient with valvular heart disease is addressed in a well-balanced fashion and is an important addition in light of the increasing availability of these imaging methods. Since bedside acquisition of three-dimensional data sets with the use of echocardiography is also possible now, a more detailed discussion of the role of this technique might have been useful. Although there are chapters on the more common valvular disorders, essential information on any given abnormality is incorporated throughout the book. This might have been a disadvantage to the reader who uses the book as a reference guide, but care was taken where necessary to note the places in the text where a given topic is further explored. The book is complemented by tables and figures that are presented well and that accent rather than duplicate the written material. The illustrations that clarify complex ideas are particularly helpful, especially in the chapter on surgical approaches to valvular disease. Valvular Heart Disease is well written and comprehensive. Its organizational features make it possible for the book to meet the needs of the generalist as well as the specialist. The reader not only will be left with a practical distillation of the available data in this field but also will benefit from the incorporated clinical experience of the contributors.
Jeanne M. DeCara, M.D.Copyright © 2004 Massachusetts Medical Society. All rights reserved. The New England Journal of Medicine is a registered trademark of the MMS.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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