Current Controversies in Cardiovascular Disease

Current Controversies in Cardiovascular Diseaseis written for the practicing internist and cardiologist. The textbook concisely summarizes the current debates by prominent adult and pediatric cardiologists and cardiovascular surgeons regarding the diagnosis and the treatment of patients with coronary artery disease, hypertension, floppy mitral valve syndrome, pulmonary emboli, and selected aspects of congenital heart disease, including the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus and palliative vs corrective surgery. Each chapter presents the opposing viewpoints and experience of two authorities on a single issue. The emphasis is on arguments for and against procedures such as coronary arteriography, radionucleotide angiography, ST-segment mapping, echocardiography, His bundle recordings, hemodynamic monitoring, pericardiocentesis, pulmonary arteriography, and coronary artery bypass surgery. The quality of the chapters, however, does vary. Lack of properly randomized investigations on controversial issues permits expression of opinion as found in the debates on exercise and anticoagulation in patients with coronary artery disease. Authoritative summaries