This comprehensive reference textbook examines in detail physiological and pathophysiological aspects of the cardiovascular system and cardiovascular disease in the sporting population. In the first part of the book, the non-invasive and invasive diagnostic techniques employed in cardiology are systematically reviewed, with explanation of their indications and clinical utility. The second, more extensive part is devoted to clinical cardiology and covers the great majority of cardiological problems encountered among athletes and other sportsmen and -women. Syncope, cardiac arrhythmias, and sudden cardiac death are extensively addressed, and guidance is provided on sports practice for individuals with different forms of heart disease. Cardiologic rehabilitation is discussed, and attention is also paid to the legal implications of diagnosed or unsuspected cardiovascular diseases for sportspeople. Sports Cardiology will be an invaluable resource for trainee and experienced health care professionals, including in particular cardiologists and sports medicine physicians. It will provide the knowledge required in order to make critical decisions regarding eligibility, thereby preventing tragic events and especially sudden death -- the most devastating occurrence in sport.

This specialized reference textbook presents the physiological and pathophysiological aspects of cardiovascular diseases affecting the athlete population. The first part is a systematic explanation of the non-invasive and invasive diagnostic techniques used in cardiology. The second part examines the clinical approach to a great majority of the cardiological problems that involve the athlete population. All of the fields discussed in this textbook are treated from physiological and pathophysiological viewpoints, including the clinical and legal implications of athletes affected by diagnosed or unsuspected cardiovascular diseases. As such, this book is a particularly useful contribution to the literature for health care professionals, especially cardiologists (also fellows) and sports medicine physicians, providing them with the knowledge to make critical decisions regarding eligibility, thus preventing tragic events, and especially sudden death the most crucial event in sport.

Le malattie cardiovascolari rappresentano attualmente la causa principale di mortalita e, oltre a modificare sensibilmente la qualita della vita, comportano un notevole impegno economico per la societa. Poiche la maggior parte degli eventi coronarici si verifica per la complicanza di una placca aterosclerotica parietale non stenosante, il suo riconoscimento puo assumere rilevante significato clinico ed essere di interesse nella scelta di un trattamento medico o interventistico.

Attraverso l'utilizzo di apparecchiature sempre piu sensibili e veloci, oggi la TC coronarica ci consente, finalmente, di visualizzare la lesione responsabile delle sindromi coronariche acute e di caratterizzarla. La conoscenza delle apparecchiature, la valutazione dei loro limiti e l'adeguata preparazione del paziente, rappresentano passaggi importanti per l'ottenimento di immagini adeguate dal punto di vista diagnostico.

L'opera nasce dalla volonta di fornire al cardiologo o al medico non esperto di imaging le basi per comprendere principi tecnici e modalita di acquisizione e di ricostruzione delle immagini. Allo stesso tempo anche il radiologo che non abbia esperienze specifiche di imaging cardiaco potra acquisire conoscenze di base di anatomia e fisiopatologia delle coronarie.