This unique and important volume fills something of a literary vacuum, for it is in effect a textbook on ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the impact of this formidable work has been softened by humor with delightful asides to history, philosophy, theory, and even autobiography. It is comprehensive and authoritative, yet light and relatively simple.
In nine sections and 46 chapters the authors review etiology, epidemiology, and pathophysiology of IHD, as well as its diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. There are major sections on angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, and heart failure. Unique chapters deal with analysis of symptoms, cardiac dyssynergia patterns and causes of chest pain, abuse of the electrocardiogram, management of preinfarctional angina, faints and spells, and the role of cardiac surgery. In addition, there are adequate references to the normal and pathologic anatomy of the coronary arteries, to their blood flow, and to myocardial oxygen consumption. The study of