Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia

Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia, Carol Lake, ed. Stamford, CT: Appleton & Lange, 1997, 0-8385-7680-X, 698 pp, $145.00. This third edition of Pediatric Cardiac Anesthesia is designed to provide a comprehensive review of the practice of pediatric cardiac anesthesia. The overall format of this edition is virtually the same as previous editions. In 698 pages, Carol Lake assembles the work of 38 contributors from 16 institutions, but only two chapters and five authors have been newly added since the publication of the second edition. The initial chapters focus on the history of pediatric cardiac anesthesia, the pathophysiologic approach to congenital heart disease, and the embryologic development and neonatal function of cardiac muscle. Nine chapters discuss preoperative evaluation, monitoring, pharmacology, and myocardial preservation. The new chapters, "Anesthesia for Non-Surgical Procedures" and "Pediatric Electrophysiology," are in the latter section. Similar to the previous two editions, 10 chapters discuss specific lesions, their pathophysiology, and their management. A modification for this edition is the use of a synopsis covering the perioperative management of each specific lesion. The remaining chapters review the postoperative care of the pediatric cardiac patient and the care of patients requiring noncardiac surgery. As far as content is concerned, not much has changed from the previous two editions. For instance, 23 of the 27 chapters in this edition are almost identical to those in the second edition. This is not to say that the book does not have merit. The chapters covering pathophysiology, embryology, pharmacology, and monitoring should be considered required reading for the novice embarking on a career in pediatric cardiac anesthesia. The chapters on the specific cardiac lesions, extracorporeal life support, and anesthesia for nonsurgical procedures are valuable resources, even for the experienced practitioner. The synopsis at the end of the lesion chapters can provide readers with a quick overview before they care for a patient with a particular cardiac defect. The book has occasional errors. In particular, the chapter titled "Anomalies of Atrial-Ventricular Valves," although good in its anatomical descriptions, contains some inaccuracies when in the discussion of the Fontan management and the use of nitric oxide. This is the only chapter that lacks a synopsis. In summary, this is a well written book that provides a vast amount of information. Most chapters are well illustrated, and all are well referenced. Although there may not be that much new information in this edition, this book deserves to be on the shelf of anyone practicing pediatric cardiac anesthesia. Deborah Ann Davis, MD Nemour's Cardiac Center; A. I. DuPont Children's Hospital; Wilmington, DE