Full Description
This volume is an innovative approach to the identification and management of heart failure. Contributing experts have presented a number of problem scenarios, which might be difficult cases, complications or dilemmas that challenge the skills of most practitioners. Organized as a series of questions, each chapter presents a detailed yet accessible discussion of the problems posed. Carefully weighing the risks and benefits of specific therapies, the ensuring discourse presents a fair, balanced approach to conceptual controversies as well as exploring the diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas that may arise. Recent and ongoing trials are discussed, as well as the potential impact on clinical practice of emerging therapies. This book is designed for the busy clinical practitioner who is in search of authoritative discussion that is balanced by evidence-based, best practice recommendations. It is intended as a resource for cardiologists and primary care physicians.
Contents
1. Digitalis in heart failure: has Witherings concoction withered? K Adams; 2. Does pharmacological therapy beyond beta blockade and ACE inhibitors improve outcomes? P Uber; 3. Should we ameliorate mitral regurgitation in left ventricular dysfunction? T Koelling; 4. ICD's for everyone with systolic heart failure? J Cleland; 5. Cell therapy for heart failure: ready for prime time? J Hare, C Murry; 6. Pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure - light at the end of the tunnel? M Park; 7. Will pharmacogenomics and pharmacogenetics transform heart failure therapy? D McNamara; 8. Anticoagulation in heart failure: are we missing an important target? M Gheorghiade; 9. Has the death knell been sounded for oral & intravenous vasodilators in decompensated heart failure? J Teerlink; 10. Fluid alteration in heart failure - distributive, hypotonic or isotonic? J O'Connell; 11. Should we use endomyocardial biopsy more often in heart failure diagnosis? K Baughman; 12. Acute and chronic hemodynamic monitoring in heart failure - asset or liability? L Stevenson; 13. Cardiac resynchronization therapy - how far can we push the envelope? W Stevenson; 14. How should the heart failure patient be encouraged to exercise? S Russell; 15. Mechanical assistance of the failing heart: whats the future? N Smediera; 16. How does metabolic syndrome lead to heart failure? H Ventura; 17. Diastolic heart failure: what is this entity? W Little; 18. When should we revascularize coronary disease in heart failure without angina? J Rogers; 19. Are biomarkers ready for prime time in ambulatory care of heart failure? C Defilippi; Abbreviations; General index.
