Many noteworthy advances in our knowledge of the pericardium, its functions and diseases and their relation to heart failure have been made since the first edition of this book appeared in 1981; and no other book that covers in detail the physiology and pathophysiology has since been published. The first edition was favourably received, and I have frequently been asked to write a new edition. My own knowledge in the years that have passed since then, and my clinical and research experience in the field of the subject have both increased. For all these reasons, I decided that the second edition was overdue. The long time that has elapsed between editions necessitated rewriting, rather than simply revising, most of the text. For the same reason, many of the figures are new. Most of the references I have cited appeared in the literature after 1981, but I have retained a number of earlier ones, either because they are classics or, in my opinion, have not yet been bettered. It is my hope that the new edition will be a useful resource for clinicians called upon to manage patients with pericardial disease and for physiologists when the pericardium is relevant to their investigations. I make no apology for the in-depth treatment of the pericardial physiology and pathophysiology throughout the book, for they are the foundation on which diagnosis, hemodynamic and imaging studies, and management must rest.

One of the most time-consuming tasks in clinical medicine is seeking the opinions of specialist colleagues. There is a pressure not only to make referrals appropriate but also to summarize the case in the language of the specialist. This book explains basic physiologic and pathophysiologic mechanisms of cardiovascular disease in a straightforward manner, gives guidelines as to when referral is appropriate, and, uniquely, explains what the specialist is likely to do. It is ideal for any hospital doctor, generalist, or even senior medical student who may need a cardiology opinion, or for that ma.

Interventional Pericardiology gives a unique and comprehensive view on an often neglected but clinically very important part of cardiovascular disease: The pericardium and the adjacent myocardium or epicardium. The authors of this up-to-date compendium on pericardial disease etiology, diagnostics and treatment, Professors Bernhard Maisch (Marburg), Arsen Ristić (Belgrade), Petar Seferović (Belgrade) and Teresa Tsang (Rochester) focus on recent advances to the new window that has been opened to the heart by flexible and video-assisted pericardioscopy, modern biochemical, immunohistological and molecular tools for the analysis of epicardial and pericardial biopsies, which have been acquired safely under pericardioscopic control by the interventional pericardiologist. Their book adds brand-new information to the recent and so far only guidelines world-wide by the European Society of Cardiology on the management of pericardial diseases. This task-force has been chaired by the lead author B. Maisch. Accordingly “Interventional Pericardiology” belongs in every medical library and on the desk of every cardiologist, cardiological interventionalist, and trainee with an interest in pericardial diseases.

​This book reviews current knowledge and recent advances in the diagnosis and management of myopericardial diseases, a spectrum of medical diseases and syndromes affecting a significant proportion of patients in clinical practice and presenting either as an isolated process or as a manifestation of a systemic disease. Unlike in other books, both pericardial and myocardial diseases are fully covered. Detailed guidance is provided on diagnosis and the role of integrated cardiovascular imaging, medical therapy, interventional diagnosis and therapy, and surgical diagnosis and therapy. Importantly, up-to-date original information is presented on indications and guidelines/recommendations planned for publication in 2015. This well-illustrated book will be an invaluable aid to diagnosis and management for practitioners in a range of medical specialties, including cardiology, internal medicine, rheumatology, family medicine, cardiac surgery, nephrology, and endocrinology.

Clearly presents the pathology of heart disease from fetus to adolescence, integrating histology and macroscopy with effects of treatment.

Get the BIG PICTURE of Gross Anatomy in the context of healthcare – and zero-in on what you really need to know to ace the course and board exams! Gross Anatomy: The Big Picture is the perfect bridge between review and textbooks. With an emphasis on what you truly need to know versus “what’s nice to know,” it features 450 full-color illustrations that give you a complete, yet concise, overview of essential anatomy. The book’s user-friendly presentation consists of text on the left-hand page and beautiful full-color illustrations on the right-hand page. In this way, you get a “big picture” of anatomy principles, delivered one concept at a time -– making them easier to understand and retain. Striking the perfect balance between illustrations and text, Gross Anatomy: The Big Picture features: High-yield review questions and answers at the end of each chapter Numerous summary tables and figures that encapsulate important information 450 labeled and explained full-color illustrations A final exam featuring 100 Q&As Important clinically-relevant concepts called to your attention by convenient icons Bullets and numbering that break complex concepts down to easy-to-remember points