Readable, practical and concise, Nuclear Cardiology is a self-contained guide to this cardiac imaging subspecialty. Including both technical and clinical aspects, it provides a foundation of essential knowledge common to practitioners from any background. This title covers radiation physics, biology and protection, and addresses all areas of imaging including the design and operation of the gamma camera (including solid-state cameras), single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) acquisition and processing, and image interpretation and writing of reports. Stress testing and radiopharmaceuticals are explained in detail, as is the evidence-base underpinning myocardial perfusion scintigraphy. Newer radionuclide imaging techniques are well-covered (e.g. phosphate scintigraphy in cardiac amyloidosis), as is the expanding field of cardiac positron emission tomography (PET). Fully updated with coverage of new indications for gamma camera imaging, increased focus on attenuation correction and SPECT-CT and detail on the design use and clinical implications of solid-state gamma cameras throughout, this second edition of the essential text for nuclear cardiology trainees and practitioners is fully illustrated with colour plates to aid clinical practice. Presented in the bestselling Oxford Specialist Handbook format, Nuclear Cardiology provides core knowledge for those training in the subspecialty, whether at a basic or advanced level or from a medical or technical background, and is a key resource for those seeking to accredit in the subspecialty.

Disease of the heart valves is increasingly common and frequently requires treatment, usually a combination of drug therapy and surgery to repair or replace the valve. The majority of valvular heart disease occurs in older people, and is due to degenerative disease of the valve tissue. Understanding how to diagnose, investigate and manage patients with valvular heart disease is a core skill for a wide range of doctors, including cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, general physicians, general surgeons and anaesthetists. Valvular heart disease can also occur in younger patients and can be particularly challenging to diagnose and treat in pregnant women. New advances in cardiology mean a range of valvular heart disease can be treated with percutaneous procedures avoiding the need for full cardiac surgery. This unique text covers all aspects of valvular heart disease, including normal valve anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, modes of investigation, assessment and treatment of specific valve lesions, valve surgery (both medical and surgical aspects), treatment in pregnancy or during non-cardiac surgery, and the devastating complication of infective endocarditis, in an easy-to-read, accessible format. It contains over 150 high quality pictures and illustrations, providing contemporary diagnostic imaging (including conventional radiography, echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging) to demonstrate the importance of imaging in diagnosis and treatment. Individual valve lesions are reviewed in turn with specific indications for intervention in line with current European guidelines. The handbook complements the curriculum for specialist training in the UK, and is relevant to candidtaes in preparation for accreditation with the British Society of Echocardiography.