A cardiac dysrhythmia is a disturbance in the cardiac rhythm which can be normal (e.g., sinus arrhythmia) or instantly lethal (e.g., sustained ventricular tachycardia). This issue of Critical Care Nursing Clinics of North America will provide state of the art diagnostic and treatment information for cardiac dysrhythmias as well as addressing how to achieve the most accurate diagnostic approach to interpreting an electrocardiogram, which is omnipresent in critical care and of critical importance in diagnosing arrhythmias. Articles in this issue are devoted to: The Normal Cardiac Conduction System; The Normal Electrocardiogram: Resting 12-lead and Continuous Cardiac Rhythm Strips; Premature Beats; Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia, Including the Special Type Called Wolff-Parkinson-White; Atrial Fibrillation, The Most Common Type of Supraventricular Arrhythmia; Ventricular Tachycardia and Its Disorganized Counterpart, Ventricular Fibrillation; Brady-Dysrhythmias, When Heart Rate Slows Myocardial Ischemia & Infarction and their Relationship to Dysrhythmias; Pharmacologically Induced Dysrhythmias; and Implantable Cardiac Devices and their Role in Dysrhythmias Management.

This issue of the Cardiology Clinics entitled "Pulmonary Hypertension" is an in-depth review on the subject edited by Dr. Ronald J. Oudiz. The topics covered will include: classification of pulmonary hypertension, epidemiology and pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management in Groups I-V. There are also sections devoted to issues faced in pediatrics and pregnancy, as well as a section on patient support, among other topics.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease is a concise, yet comprehensive, clinical resource highlighting must-know information on rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever from a global perspective. Covering the major issues dominating the field, this practical resource presents sufficient detail for a deep and thorough understanding of the latest treatment options, potential complications, and disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes. Divided into four distinct sections for ease of navigation: Acute Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Population-Based Strategies for Disease Control, and Acute and Emergency Presentations. International editors and chapter authors ensure a truly global perspective. Covers all clinical aspects, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and treatment. Includes key topics on population-based measures for disease control for effective primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Consolidates today's available information and guidance into a single, convenient resource.

This book provides a framework for goal-targeted management of the adult patient with spontaneous non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Topics addressed in a comprehensive yet practical manner in the book include pre-hospital/emergency department care, early inpatient work-up, antithrombotic- and thrombolytic-related strokes, optimal blood pressure management, avoidance of medical complications, surgical interventions, outcome prognostication, recurrence prevention, rehabilitation/recovery, special situations, systems of care, and the design of clinical trials for patients with ICH. Procedures, processes, and helpful decision-making algorithms are presented with the aid of complementary illustrations that facilitate understanding of practical aspects and enable the reader to promptly retrieve relevant information. In addition, the most current evidence-based therapies for routine management of ICH patients and a glimpse of promising future treatment strategies are reviewed. Timely and consolidated, clinicians will find this to be an indispensable resource to navigating the ever-increasing pace of discovery that is transforming what we know about ICH and its treatment.

This volume contains the proceedings of the Fourth International Symposium on Coronary Heart Disease, held in Frankfurt/Federal Republic of Germany. In 1970, when the fIrst symposium was held, the whole range of diagnostic and therapeutic measures was covered, but since then interest in coronary heart disease has increased so considerably that the fourth symposium was restricted to only two therapeutic aspects, angioplasty and intracoronary thrombolysis. It can be noted with pleasure that European cardiologists, namely Andreas Griintzig and Peter Rentrop, have made essential contributions to the applicability of these modes of treatment. When angioplasty was fIrst discussed at the Third International Symposium (Coronary Heart Disease, Stuttgart, 1978) a great deal of astonishment was expressed. Today the procedure has gained an important place in the treatment of angina pecto ris. The proportion of candidates for coronary surgery in whom angioplasty can be attempted instead of operation is around 10%, in certain subgroups even higher. The most remarkable fmding of our 5-year experience with angioplasty are the extre mely good long-term results. Recurrences happen in about 15%-20% of cases within the fIrst 3 months; after this period of time, recurrences are very unusual and mostly due to progression of the disease at other sites. Angioplasty has thus also contributed to our understanding of the dynamics of the atherosclerotic process.

This issue of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics entitled "Ventricular Arrhythmias in Apparently Normal Hearts" is being edited by Drs. Frank M. Bogun, Thomas Crawford, and Rakesh Latchamsetty. The issue will cover topics including, the mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias, the role of genetic testing, papillary muscle arrhythmias, fascicular arrhythmias, exercised induced VT, VF, and SCD in the normal heart, and various management techniques.

This issue of Clinics in Geriatric Medicine, guest edited by Drs. Cynthia Boyd, James T. Pacala, and Michael W. Rich, is devoted to Chronic Conditions in Older Adults with Cardiovascular Disease. Articles in this issue include: Epidemiology of multimorbidity in older adults with cardiovascular disease; Impact of multimorbidity on clinical outcomes in older adults with cardiovascular disease; Assessment of goals of care in patients with multiple chronic conditions; Challenges in decision-making: balancing trade-offs; Multimorbidity in older adults with heart failure; Multimorbidity in older adults with acute coronary syndromes; Multimorbidity in older adults with aortic stenosis; Multimorbidity in older adults with atrial fibrillation;Anticoagulation in older adults with multimorbidity; Approach to evaluating the multimorbid patient with cardiovascular disease undergoing non-cardiac surgery; Integrating care across disciplines; Assessing risks and benefits of invasive cardiac procedures in patients with advanced multimorbidity; Multimorbidity and end of life care in patients with cardiovascular disease; and Future research directions for cardiovascular disease.

This issue of the Heart Failure Clinics, edited by Drs. James Fang and Michael Givertz, is entitled "Advanced Heart Failure" and covers a wide array of topics relating to the subject. The issue will delve into the prevalence, history and prognosis of advanced heart failure; cardiorenal interactions; cardiohepatic interactions; the role of temporary mechanical circulatory support; guided therapy; the role of heart transplantation; palliative care; frailty; and novel biological techniques, among other topics.

The main subject of this book is the investigation of cardiac function and in particular ventricular function with radionuclide-based techniques. Emphasis is given to the study of clinical cases which can routinely occur in the life of a busy cardiological practice, by comparing conventional techniques, such as the electrocardiogram, the echocardiogram or the catheter study, with the newer nuclear medicine imaging procedures. Four basic images are given (end systole, end diastole, amplitude and phase), obtained either with a first pass or an equilibrium methodology, and the information analyzed. The clinical material is not exhaustive but covers a broad spectrum, with examples of coronary artery disease, valvular disease, cardiomyopathy, conduction disease and congenital heart disease. The book is aimed not only at the practising specialist (cardiologist, radiologist, nuclear medicine physician) but also at the general physician and surgeon interested in finding out what modern non invasive nuclear medicine procedures have to offer in the investigation of the heart. London, June 1982 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We are specially grateful to the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust for its continuous support and interest."

The full scope of adult congenital heart disease is examined in this issue of the Cardiology Clinics. Topics include Shunt Lesions, Coarctation of the Aorta, Tetralogy of Fallot, Transposition of Great Arteries, Fontan Repair of Single Ventricle Physiology, Arrhythmias in Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Pulmonary Hypertension. It will also feature special articles on Pregnancy, Non-pharmacologic Treatment, Transition and Psychosocial Issues, and Quality Metrics.

With over 6 million patients affected only in the United States, atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major health problem with profound effects on both the individual patient and society at large. In this issue of Heart Failure Clinics, we have focused on AF and tried to cover the most important and relevant aspects in a comprehensive and contemporary review. A distinguished group of experts and leaders in basic and experimental electrophysiology, epidemiology, clinical pharmacology, interventional clinical electrophysiology, and cardiac surgery contributed state-of-the-art reviews and also shared their insight to the future of AF. Topics include but are not limited to: Risk Factors and Genetics of Atrial Fibrillation; Mechanisms of Atrial Fibrillation: Rotors, Ionic Determinants, and Excitation Frequency; Diagnostic Evaluation and Follow-Up of Patients with Atrial Fibrillation; Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation; Antithrombotic and Anticoagulant Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation; Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation: Incidence, Mechanisms, and Clinical Correlates; and Novel Upstream Approaches to Prevent Atrial Fibrillation Perpetuation.

This special case-based issue of Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics features a selection of cases on the following topics: Use of the Surface ECG to Define the Nature of Challenging Arrhythmias; Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications of Surface Recordings from Patients with A-V Block; Supraventricular Tachycardia; Ventricular Tachycardia; Atrial Fibrillation and Flutter; Troubleshooting Device Function; Adult Congenital Cardiac Disease; and Arrhythmias in Patients with Genetic Arrhythmia Syndromes.

The latest developments in the field of Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy are featured in this issue of Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics. The issue includes more than 20 articles in the following areas: heart failure; cost of heart failure; ventricular dissynchrony and resynchronization; assessment of dissynchrony; indication for CRT implantation; implantation technique; measures to improve CRT benefit on AF patients; and many more.

This book sheds new light on the management of patients with borderline cardiovascular risk factors in order to prevent their progression to end organ damage. The book stimulates discussion of this poorly understood condition and lays the groundwork for developing recommendations and guidelines. While the diagnostic and therapeutic approach to full-blown diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity is well defined, there is still a lack of clear understanding and guidelines as far as patients with borderline conditions - especially when multiple - are concerned. Moreover, end-organ damage depends on several factors, including genetic factors, making it difficult to predict its extent. As such, the gradual transition from a healthy subject to one with functional hemodynamic changes, and then one with structurally asymptomatic changes and lastly to overt disease needs further investigation. In order to address these knowledge gaps, the book covers a broad variety of topics, making it a valuable tool for identifying which asymptomatic subjects could profit from being appropriately screened and at what stage. Furthermore it offers insights into better treating these patients to prevent their progression to overt disease. The book appeals to cardiologists, primary care physicians and all those healthcare professional looking to optimize the management of these complex and often undiagnosed cases.

This timely volume addresses the areas of pathophysiology and therapy of pulmonary hypertension, which have seen exciting developments over the past decade. The discoveries of endothelin overexpression as well as prostacyclin and nitric oxide deficiency in association with pulmonary hypertension have led to important therapeutic insights. The new therapies have led to significant improvements in patient function, quality of life and survival. In this book, expert authors describe these new therapies. It will be of interest not only to cardiologists, pulmonary specialists and rheumatologists, but also many nurses and pharmacotherapists.

This issue of Radiologic Clinics of North America focuses on CT Angiography. Articles will include: CT Angiography - A Review and Technical Update; CT Angiography of Thoracic Aorta; CT Angiography of Abdominal Aorta; CT Angiography of the Liver, Spleen, and Pancreas; CT Angiography of the Bowel and Mesentery; CT Angiography of the Renal Circulation; CT Angiography of the Lower Extremities; CT Angiography of the Upper Extremities; Pediatric Considerations in CT Angiography; CT Angiography of the Neurovascular Circulation; Role of MRA in the Era of Modern CT Angiography; CT Angiography for Preoperative Thoracoabdominal Flap Planning; and more!

This special issue of Heart Failure Clinics examines heart failure with a truly global perspective, exposing health inequities in the treatment of heart failure.

This updated textbook provides an essential evidence-based approach to echocardiography and includes practical case-based instruction illustrating a wide variety of clinical scenarios in which echocardiography is a vital diagnostic option for physicians. It reflects how echocardiography has evolved into a complex multimodality method for evaluating and quantifying cardiovascular lesions, and explains the use of hemodynamic assessment of the heart using echocardiography, transesophageal and three-dimensional echocardiography, deformation imaging and assessment of myocardial perfusion, which have added a new dimension to real-time noninvasive evaluation of patients. Echocardiography highlights the clinical utility of these evolving modalities that are now crucial to the renaissance of echocardiography, and it provides a thorough clinical review of this most revealing and adaptable methods of imaging a patient. The Editors and their world-class group of contributors have created an essential reference for those in training or who already use echocardiography in their practice.

This issue of Interventional Cardiology Clinics, edited by Allen Jeremias, is devoted to Intravascular Physiology. Dr. Jeremias assembled a group of expert contributors to review the following topics: Evolution of Coronary Physiology - Basic Concepts of FFR and CFR; Concept of "Functional PCI" - The Rational for Physiologic Lesion Assessment for PCI Guidance; Limitations and Pitfalls of FFR and Adenosine-Induced Hyperemia; Evidence for the Use of FFR to Guide Clinical Decision-Making - The Landmark FFR Clinical Trials; Evaluation of Microvascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes; Hyperemic vs. Resting Indices for the Assessment of CAD; FFR for the Evaluation of Tandem and Bifurcations Lesions, Left Main, and Acute Coronary Syndromes; and CT-FFR: Basic Concept and Clinical Implementation.

This issue of Cardiology Clinics, edited by Sharmila Dorbala and Piotr Slomka, examines Nuclear Cardiology. Topics include Advances in SPECT Hardware and Software; Advances in PET Hardware and Software; Technical Advances and Clinical Applications of Cardiac PET/MR; Translational Coronary Atherosclerosis Imaging (NaF PET, FDG); Quantitative Nuclear Cardiology Using New Generation Equipment; Myocardial Perfusion Flow Tracers; Translational Molecular Nuclear Cardiology; Radionuclide Imaging in Congestive Heart Failure (Sarcoid, Amyloid, Viability); Clinical Applications of Imaging Myocardial Innervation; Gated Radionuclide Imaging Including Dyssynchrony Assessment; Clinical PET Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Including Flow Quantitation; and Novel Applications of Radionuclide Imaging in Peripheral Vascular Disease.

Controversies in Cardiac Electrophysiology are examined in this issue of Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics. Difficult cases are presented and esteemed leaders in the field debate the pros and cons of various forms of management and treatment.

Drs. Tewelde and Reynolds have put together an excellent issue on Cardiovascuar Emergencies. Articles include:Pregnancy Related Coronary Artery Disease, Decompensated Cyanotic Heart Disease, Blunt Cardiac Injury, Blunt Cardiac Injury, STEMI Chameleons, Hypertensive Emergency, Troubleshooting the Pacer/ICD, Cardiogenic Shock, Cardiac Arrest, and more!

This issue of Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics examines Arrhythmias in Cardiomyopathies. Articles include Atrial and Ventricular Arrhythmias in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy and Its Variants; Role of Cardiac MRI in Risk Stratification of Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy; Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia/Cardiomyopathy; Exercise-Induced Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy; Dilated Cardiomyopathy; Sarcoidosis; Amyloidosis; Chagas Disease; Fabry Disease; Left Ventricular Hypertrophy: Ventricular Arrhythmias and SCD; Left Ventricular Non-compaction; Mitochondrial Cardiomyopathy and Related Arrhythmias; Arrhythmias in Viral Myocarditis and Pericarditis Cardiomyopathy; Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy; Post-partum Cardiomyopathy; Arrhythmias in Alcohol- and Drug-Associated Cardiomyopathies; Arrhythmias in Neuromuscular Dystrophies; Cardiomyopathies Related to Anti-cancer Therapy- and Radiation- Induced Heart Disease; Arrhythmias After Myocardial Stem Cell Therapy; and more.

This issue of Cardiac Electrophysiology Clinics examines Frontiers in Non-invasive Cardiac Mapping. Topics include imaging of heart rhythm disorders, experimental validation and modeling of validation, challenges and future directions of inverse problems, phase mapping of cardiac fibrillation, frequency domain analysis, analysis of diagnostic 12-lead electrocardiography and 3D non-invasive mapping, and many more.

Cerebrovascular disease results in huge health expenditures, multiple recurring physician visits, and a great number of surgical and non-surgical treatments along with research into causes and prevention. This issue addresses therapies, early therapies, diagnoses, and prevention. Topics include: Endovascular Treatment of Acute Ischemic Stroke; Acute Treatment of Blood Pressure after Ischemic Stroke and Intracerebral Hemorrhage; Diagnostic Evaluation for Non-traumatic Intracerebral Hemorrhage; Prevention of Recurrent Stroke in Patients with Patent Foramen Ovale; Management of Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis; Stenting or Endarterectomy for Patients with Symptomatic Carotid Stenosis; The Therapeutic Value of Laboratory Testing for Hypercoagulable States in Secondary Stroke Prevention; Diagnosis and Treatment of Carotid and Vertebral Artery Dissection; Recurrent Stroke while on Anti-platelet Therapy; Anti-platelet and Anti-coagulant Therapy after Intracerebral Hemorrhage; Diagnosis and Treatment of Isolated Central Nervous System Angiitis/Vasculitis; Statins for Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage; Expansion of IV-tPA eligibility beyond NINDS and ECASS III criteria; and Treatment of Unruptured Arteriovenous Malformations. William J Powers MD, renowned for his clinical work with Stroke and Research in Cerebral blood flow and metabolism, and stroke treatment and prevention, leads this issue of Neurologic Clinics, with authors renown in the field.