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.

In non-fatal cases, cardiovascular diseases are associated with a decreased quality of life as well as a substantial economic burden to society. Most sudden cardiac events are related to the complications of a non-stenosing marginal plaque. For this reason, the ability to properly identify the atherosclerotic plaque with rapid, non-invasive techniques is of utmost clinical interest in diagnostic workup and therapeutic planning of symptomatic patient. Nowadays CT produces high-quality images of the coronary arteries, in addition to defining their location and the extent of the atherosclerotic involvement. This new edition is enriched with two important additions. Firstly, dedicated chapters on intravascular ultrasound (IVUS), catheter angiography, and nuclear imaging have been included, with some discussions on theoretical techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Secondly, a completely new section comprising more than 70 clinical cases remarkably expands the horizons reached by the previous edition. This volume provides general practitioners and cardiologists with a basic understanding of the imaging techniques. For radiologists with no direct experience in cardiac imaging, the book serves as an important source of information on coronary pathophysiology and anatomy.

This book is a detailed guide to a new integrative approach to the prevention and treatment of various cardiac disorders and risk factors, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. This approach combines various strategies, including metabolic cardiology, low-dose medicine, exercise programs, stress management programs, evaluation for inherited risk factors, and various other healing modalities. Metabolic cardiology focuses on the prevention, management, and treatment of cardiovascular disease at the cellular level through biochemical interventions with nutritional supplements that can promote energy production in the heart. Low-dose medicine, on the other hand, interprets pathological phenomena as an imbalance in intercellular signaling that may be corrected through the administration of low physiological doses of messenger molecules. Therapies outside of mainstream medicine may also be deployed in integrative cardiology, for example acupuncture, herbal medicine, and homeopathy. Integrative Cardiology will be of interest to all practitioners wishing to learn about an approach that incorporates the incredible advances in medication and technology with a focus on nutrition, lifestyle, and mind-body influences.