This important issue of Medical Clinics provides essential updates in heart failure.? The following topics are covered: epidemiology, pathophysiology, and general approach for heart failure; symptoms, signs, diagnostic studies, and prognostic significance of systolic versus diastolic heart failure; the appropriate use of biomarkers; oral versus intravenous diuretic therapy; guideline-based therapy including RAAS blockade, beta-blockade, and aldosterone antagonist, appropriate use of AICD and biventricular pacing; role of ventricular assist device; pathophysiological consideration and management approaches in acute decompensated heart failure; pathophysiology and current approaches to cardiorenal syndrome; heart failure with other comorbidities including diabetes, obesity, anemia, and cancer; heart failure and atrial fibrillation; and the role of disease management strategies in heart failure.

Pregnancy stresses the heart and circulatory system. During pregnancy, blood volume increases by 30 to 50 percent. The amount of blood the heart pumps each minute also increases by 30 to 50 percent, and heart rate increases as well. These changes cause the heart to work harder, as do labor and delivery. This issue covers diagnosis and treatment of cardiac symptoms and cardiac emergencies during pregnancy.

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is increased pressure in the pulmonary arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the lungs to pick up oxygen.? The changes resulting from PH make it difficult for the heart to push blood through the pulmonary arteries, causing the heart to become weak and possibly to develop failure.? Understanding the causes and treatment of PH can help heart failure specialists prevent heart failure due to PH.

Chronic total occlusion is the complete blockage of a coronary artery. Opening up such blocked passageways is one of the most difficult challenges for coronary interventionists. The procedures take longer than most interventional procedures and frequently have complications. Articles in this issue review the state of the art in percutaneous treatment of chronic total occlusion.

This issue reviews the indications and procedures for surgery in patients with localized pulmonary infection. It includes articles on TB, pulmonary abscesses, fungal infections, and other entities.

Clinically accessible information for pathologists on histology, differential diagnosis, and clinical overview is presented. Topics in this subject on Cardiovascular Pathology include: Examination of the Explanted/Autopsy Heart; Native Valves; Prosthetic Valves; Cardiac Transplant Biopsies; Diagnostic (Native Heart) Biopsies; Aorta; Temporal Arteritis/Vasculitis/Vascular Lesions; Cardiac Tumors; and Cardiac Devices. Each article presents Key Considerations; Pitfalls of working with the particular entity; Differential Diagnosis summaries; Gross and histologic features with clinicopathologic correlates; Complications; Technical considerations; Post transplant biopsy findings where relevant; and Communicating results.

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a recognized risk factor for cardiovascular events and death. The coexistence of CKD and heart failure is increasing in prevalence worldwide and requires a unique and subtle approach to patient management. The Kidney in Heart Failure focuses on the changes that occur in kidney physiology as a function of a failing heart. This comprehensive resource covers epidemiology, pathophysiology, management of kidney disorders and advances in nephropathy management. In addition, the latest therapies, common heart failure dilemmas and kidney disease markers are included. Each chapter is co-authored by a Nephrologist and Cardiologist, offering a unified perspective to these chronic conditions. This indispensible volume provides the reader with the depth-of-knowledge needed for assessing and treating the cardio renal patient.

"Advances in Cancer Research" provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This thematic volume looks at "Guidance molecules in Cancer and cancer angiogenesis" and contains outstanding and original reviews.
Provides invaluable information on the exciting and fast-moving field of cancer research. This volumelooks at "Guidance molecules in Cancer and cancer angiogenesis."Outstanding and original reviews"

This issue consists of 17 case studies, each involving a difficult decision that has to be made in the catheterization laboratory. Reading about the cases and seeing the ECGs will help cardiac electrophysiologists sharpen their clinical skills. The cases are also useful reading for those studying for board certification.

The Year Book of Cardiology brings you abstracts of the articles that reported the year's breakthrough developments in cardiology, carefully selected from more than 500 journals worldwide. Expert commentaries evaluate the clinical importance of each article and discuss its application to your practice. There's no faster or easier way to stay informed Topics include discussions of coronary heart disease, cardiac surgery, non-coronary heart disease in adults, pediatric cardiovascular disease, hypertension, arrhythmias, conduction disturbances and electrophysiology. The Year Book of Cardiology publishes annually in June.

Topics in this issue include: Cardiac Arrest as a Public Health Concern; Prehospital Cardiac Arrest; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Cardioactive Medications in Cardiac Arrest; Airway Management in Cardiac Arrest; Rapid Response Teams; and? Pediatric Cardiac Arrest.

Although heart failure typically begins with the left side of the heart, it is also important for cardiologists to understand right-sided heart failure, which is the inability of the right side of the heart to adequately pump venous blood into the pulmonary circulation. Right heart failure causes a back-up of fluid in the body, resulting in swelling and edema. This issue covers the normal right ventricle (RV), imaging of the RV, RV failure in a variety of settings, and tratmen tof RV failure, including interventions.

This text evolved as a response to numerous requests to present a simplified approach to the diagnosis and management of most of the common aspects of both cosmetic and medical venous disorders. The authors, representing experienced plebologists from several different primary disciplines, have attempted to present simplistic paradigm-oriented approaches on how to thoughtfully evaluate and manage common vein issues with contemporary solutions. Several areas of phlebology were not addressed in this text. The management of vascular malformations are beyond the scope of this text and were not covered in detail. Although indications for the appropriate use of IVC filters are discussed, the details about the specific devices, their placement and removal are also beyond the scope of this text. Deep venous obstruction from prior thrombosis, venous compression by arteries such as the compression of the left common iliac vein by the right common iliac artery and pelvic venous insufficiency can now be managed with minimally invasive image guided treatments; the technical aspects of such treatments are complex and not discussed in detail in this handbook. This book will increase the therapeutic skill of the practicing phlebologist and thus increase the quality of care for patients faced with problems related to venous disorders.

This issue of Medical Clinics of North America provides the latest essential updates on coronary risk factors. The following key questions are answered. Are new biomarkers informative? LDL: the lower the better? How important is HDL? How much credit does triglyceride deserve? How important is family history of coronary disease? How important is age in determining coronary risk factors? Endothelial progenitor cells, menopause, and coronary risk factors? What is the role of imaging in prevention of coronary artery disease? Is genomics ready for primetime? Pediatric statinization? Individualized statinization? Polypill for some, polypill for all?

The developing heart is the first functional organ, and its proper formation and function is essential for life. This volume compiles the exciting new advances that have been made in understanding the regulation of heart development, the genes and pathways involved, and the impact these have in heart disease. A stellar collection of scientists tackles an important facet of heart development, providing a comprehensive set of reviews.
Cutting-edge science Authority of contributors Exciting field of research

In the joint American College of Cardiology /American Heart Association classification system, Stage B heart failure refers to patients with structural heart disease but no symptoms of heart failure.? Preventing progression of heart failure in Stage B patients is a central concern to heart failure specialists, so two issues have been devoted to this topic.? Part I focuses on an understanding of structural heart disease and the factors that cause progression from risk of heart failure to development of structural changes.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death among US women over the age of 65, resulting in more deaths than all forms of cancer combined. Women are less likely to survive heart attacks than are men, possibly because symptoms in women may differ and may be less recognizable.? In addition, women consistently tend to have worse clinical outcomes in percutaneous coronary interventions than do men. For these reasons, an issue on percutaneous interventions in women is timely.

The use of proteomics to study complex diseases such as cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in developed countries, has grown exponentially in recent years. Proteomics is a rapidly expanding investigation platform in cardiovascular medicine and is becoming integrated and incorporated into cardiovascular research. The proteomics field continues to develop with major improvements in mass spectrometry instrumentation, methodology and data analysis. Heart Proteomics: Methods and Protocols complies a selection of techniques and methods that target the numerous processes implicated in the pathophysiology of heart. Chapters cover protocols and updated methods in the heart proteomic area with a particular focus on MS-based methods of protein and peptide quantification and the analysis of posttranslational modifications as well as descriptions of system biology approaches, which provide a better understanding of normal and pathological processes. Written in the successful Methods in Molecular Biology (TM) series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, readily reproducible protocols, and notes on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls. Authoritative and easily accessible, Heart Proteomics: Methods and Protocols is a representative selection of methods that will prove to be a useful resource for experienced proteomics practitioners and newcomers alike.

Among the most recently developed procedures for treating heart disease in a minimally invasive way are the techniques for percutaneous treatment of valvular heart disease. These are important advances because the only alternative is open heart surgery, which is not an option for many high-risk patients.? This issue provides a detailed description of several percutaneous procedures, including trans-catheter aortic valve implantation.

Long QT syndrome is a heart rhythm disorder that can cause fast, chaotic heartbeats. In some cases, long QT syndrome can cause sudden death. Long QT syndrome may result from a genetic mutation or be caused by certain medications and medical conditions. The condition is treatable with medication, surgery, or an implantable device. Because it may have serious consequences, it's important for electrophysiologists to know about long QT syndrome.

Topics in this issue include: Automated external defibrillation; Airway management during CPR; Could we remove ventilation from ABC's of CPR?; Advances in mechanical interventions during CPR; The role of vasopressor agents during CPR; Optimizing the timing of defibrillation: the role of VF waveform analysis during CPR; Therapeutic hypothermia during and after CPR; and Advances in brain resuscitation: beyond hypothermia.