The Failing Heart

One of the most time-consuming tasks in clinical medicine is seeking the opinions of specialist colleagues. There is a pressure not only to make referrals appropriate but also to summarize the case in the language of the specialist. This book explains basic physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in a straightforward manner, gives guidelines as to when referral is appropriate, and, uniquely, explains what the specialist is likely to do. It is ideal for any hospital doctor, generalist, or even senior medical student who may need a cardiology opinion, or for that ma.

For many years, there has been a great deal of work done on chronic congestive heart failure while acute heart failure has been considered a difficult to handle and hopeless syndrome. However, in recent years acute heart failure has become a growing area of study and this is the first book to cover extensively the diagnosis and management of this complex condition. The book reflects the considerable amounts of new data reported and many new concepts which have been proposed in the last 3-4 years looking at the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment of acute heart failure.

Cardiovascular, respiratory, and related conditions cause more than 40 percent of all deaths globally, and their substantial burden is rising, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Their burden extends well beyond health effects to include significant economic and societal consequences. Most of these conditions are related, share risk factors, and have common control measures at the clinical, population, and policy levels. Lives can be extended and improved when these diseases are prevented, detected, and managed. This volume summarizes current knowledge and presents evidence-based interventions that are effective, cost-effective, and scalable in LMICs.

Subjects in the monograph “Biophysics of the Failing Heart” include state of the art chapters considering major biophysical mechanisms for why hearts responding to acquired or inherited stressors enter into maladaptive processes eventually leading to an inability of the heart to respond efficiently to hemodynamic loads especially during exercise. The chapters describe biophysical techniques that have been applied to determine the triggers for the heart failure process as well as the mechanisms for sustaining the disorders. These techniques include measurements of active and passive mechanical properties and hemodynamics at levels of organization ranging from molecules to hearts beating in situ. Biophysical concepts and approaches are also applied to determination of signaling and signal transduction, energetics, ionic currents, transport processes, electro-chemical and chemo-mechanical coupling. By its emphasis on biophysical aspects of a prevalent clinical condition, the monograph is unique in its perspective and focus. The breadth of information in the chapters all in one place will be of value to clinicians and researchers at all levels. Modern research approaches and clinical understanding of heart failure demands integration of multiple aspects of the disorders. In most cases, combinations of clinician scientists and researchers author the chapters. A main benefit of the book is couched in its didactic approach together with its emphasis on how biophysical concepts and techniques aid in diagnosis and development of new therapies.

Taking the reader from an understanding of the basic mechanisms of heart failure through to an appreciation of the complexities of heart failure management and the remarkable improvements possible with good treatment, the Oxford Textbook of Heart Failure 2e covers all aspects necessary to manage a patient with heart failure. In full colour throughout, containing over 300 illustrations, and supported by detailed referencing from the huge evidence base that has developed over the last two decades, the textbook also includes extensive chapters on common co-morbidities. The new edition has been completely updated in line with new British and European Guidelines and contains new chapters on; Natriuretic Peptides and Novel Biomarkers in Heart Failure, The Future of Heart Failure, and Regenerative Therapies. Essential reading for consultant cardiologists and those in training, general physicians and those caring of the elderly, cardiothoracic surgeons, primary care doctors, pharmacists, and specialist nurses.

This comprehensively covers everything from pathophysiology to the evaluation of patients presenting with heart failure to medical management, device therapy, heart transplantation and mechanical circulatory support, and include relevant cardiac imaging studies such as echocardiograms and magnetic resonance imaging studies which could be seen in their entirety as well as pathology slides, hemodynamic tracings and videos of cardiac surgery such as heart transplants and ventricular assist device implantation. Finally, the book would have videos of patients with heart failure, heart transplants or ventricular assist devices, describing their clinical presentation and experiences. It is structured so that it can be used as a guide by physicians studying for the general Cardiology or Advanced Heart Failure and Cardiac Transplantations Boards.

Acute heart failure is a potentially life threatening situation where correct, rapid therapy can have a life saving impact. In this rapidly changing area of medicine this text aims to bring the latest understanding of the pathophysiology together with a practical guide to diagnosis and management using a thoroughly evidence based approach. This will appeal to a wide audience of health care professionals who will treat patients with acute heart failure, including doctors, medical students, nurses, and other professionals in the Emergency Department, General Internal Medicine, Anaesthetics, Cardiology (Medicine and Surgery) and Critical Care settings. It may be used as an evidence based guide for the junior practitioner or as an aide-memoire for the more senior. Always keeping the underlying pathophysiology at the forefront of the discussion, the reader is encouraged to understand the aetiology of the acute situation and how to direct management in order to correct the abnormal physiology. Each chapter is heavily referenced allowing the reader to easily refer to the original experimental studies and pursue topics in more detail if required. This text is a valuable addition to any practitioner who treats patients with acute heart failure and wants a deeper understanding of the condition.

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a screening tool called the Listing of Impairments to identify claimants who are so severely impaired that they cannot work at all and thus immediately qualify for benefits. In this report, the IOM makes several recommendations for improving SSA's capacity to determine disability benefits more quickly and efficiently using the Listings.