Ventricular Function

This book systematically focuses on central sleep apneas, analyzing their relationship especially with heart failure and discussing recent research results and emerging treatment strategies based on feedback modulation. The opening chapters present historical background information on Cheyne-Stokes respiration (CSR), clarify terminology, and explain the mechanics and chemistry of respiration. Following a description of the physiology of respiration, the pathophysiology underlying central apneas in different disorders and particularly in heart failure is discussed. The similarities and differences of obstructive and central apneas are then considered. The book looks beyond the concept of sleep apnea to daytime CSR and periodic breathing during effort and contrasts the opposing views of CSR as a compensatory phenomenon or as detrimental to the failing heart. The diagnostic tools currently in use for the detection of CSR are thoroughly reviewed, with guidance on interpretation of findings. The book concludes by describing the various forms of treatment that are available for CSR and by explaining how to select patients for treatment.

Echocardiography is essential in the practice of pediatric cardiology. A clinical pediatric cardiologist is expected to be adept at the non-invasive diagnosis of congenital heart disease and those who plan to specialize in echocardiography will need to have knowledge of advanced techniques. Echocardiography in Pediatric and Congenital Heart Disease addresses the needs of trainees and practitioners in this field, filling a void caused by the lack of material in this fast-growing area. This new title comprehensively covers the echocardiographic assessment of congenital heart disease, from the fetus to the adult, plus acquired heart disease in children. Topics covered include: ultrasound physics laboratory set-up a protocol for a standard pediatric echocardiogram quantitative methods of echocardiographic evaluation, including assessment of diastolic function in depth coverage of congenital cardiovascular malformations acquired pediatric heart disease topics of special interest, such as 3D echocardiography, transesophageal echocardiography, and fetal echocardiography The approach of this book is a major advancement for educational materials in the field of pediatric cardiology, and greatly enhances the experience for the reader. An accompanying DVD with moving images of the subjects covered in the textbook will further enhance the learning experience.

Infants, children and adolescents with congenital heart disease(CHD) are a challenge to manage and an ever-increasing number arereaching adulthood. CHD is one of the most important topics in cardiology today, yetthis book is the only clinically-orientated monograph devotedexclusively to ventricular function and blood flow as it relates toCHD. Written by a distinguished panel of cardiologists, bioengineers,physiologists, and clinical investigators, Ventricular Functionand Blood Flow in Congenital Heart Disease is an extensive andcomprehensive presentation of the key aspects of this branch ofCHD.

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.

In recent years there has been a growth in interest in studying the heart from the perspective of the physical sciences: mechanics, fluid flow, electromechanics. This volume is the result of a workshop held in July 1989 at the Institute for Nonlinear Sciences at the University of California at San Diego that brought together scientists and clinicians with graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who shared an interest in the heart. The chapters were prepared by the invited speakers as didactic reviews of their subjects but also include the structure, mechanical properties, and function of the heart and the myocardium, electrical activity of the heart and myocardium, and mathematical models of heart function.

Although the technology required for the successful application of contrast echo cardiography has evolved rapidly over the past few years, the technique has not yet gained widespread clinical acceptance. One important reason for the lack of clinical acceptance is the relative complexity of the technique, particularly in respect to myocardial perfusion imaging. The interaction between micro bubbles and ultrasound is an entire field by itsel£ as is the coronary microvasculature. It is in this regard that practicing echocardiographers, cardiologists in training, radiologists, so no graphers, and students will find 'A Handbook of Contrast Echocardiography' particularly useful. Written by two leaders in the field who have presented illustrative cases not only from their own laboratories but also from others around the world, this volume is a lucid, concise, and practical guide for the day-to-day use of contrast echocardiography. Dr Peter Burns has been involved in almost all the technical advances in the imaging methods that have made it possible to detect opacification of the left ventricular cavity and myocardium from a venous injection of microbubbles. He has been responsible to a large degree for advancing our understanding of the interaction between micro bubbles and ultrasound, which he describes in clear and easy to understand terms in this book. Dr Harald Becher has been active in the clincal application of contrast echocardiography for several years and has gained considerable experience with many imaging techniques and microbubbles, which he describes in this volume in some detail.