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Ann Thorac Surg 1997;64:720
© 1997 The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

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Review of Recent Books

The Pericardium: A Comprehensive Textbook

By David H. Spodick, MD New York, Marcel Dekker, 1997 464 pages, illustrated, $165.00 ISBN: 0-8247-9316-1

The subtitle of this book is apt. In the preface, the author, who is Professor and Director of Cardiology at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, describes how he developed a life-long interest and expertise in the subject.

The first chapter deals with the organization and presentation of the ensuing text. At the end of each chapter "key points" are emphasized. Chapters 2 and 3 deal with the anatomy and physiology of the pericardium. Auscultation and electrocardiography are extensively covered by text accompanied by numerous illustrations. Chapter 6 deals with congenital anomalies.

The entire spectrum of acquired pericardial diseases is covered in subsequent chapters. The discussion of the clinical and physiologic aspects of cardiac tamponade demonstrates how much Doppler echocardiography has contributed to the diagnosis and understanding of the physiology of this condition. These chapters may be of greatest interest for surgeons, although understandably, surgical treatment is not covered extensively.

Lucid discussion is rendered as to how to separate constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy.

Part III deals with the etiologic and pathogenetic forms of pericardial disease. Infectious pericarditis from the more common to the esoteric is covered in detail. The chapter on traumatic pericardial disease will pique the interest of surgeons, particularly the section on the diagnosis of postoperative cardiac tamponade.

The author's insight into surgical problems is exemplified in the chapter on radiation pericarditis and its sequelae, with the surgical challenges that this condition brings.

In summary, this is a comprehensive discussion of all aspects of the pericardium and its diseases by a single author who brings encyclopedic knowledge and experience to the subject. Of added value is the fact that the chapters are organized as monographs that can be read independently.

This excellent book belongs in every medical library. Its primary value will be to cardiologists both in training and in practice. Its format also makes it an excellent tome for the reference shelf.

Minneapolis, Minnesota

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Author home page(s): Örn Arnar Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Arnar, O. Search for Related Content PubMed Articles by Arnar, O.