Asian Cardiovasc Thorac Ann 2000;8:277
© 2000 Asia Publishing EXchange Pte Ltd
Critical Decisions in Electrocardiography and Thrombolytic Therapy
Graeme Sloman, MD
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Richmond, Victoria, Australia
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Authored by Roger L White, MD and Janet H Scura, RN, BFA, MPH
ISBN 981-04-1388-2 • List Price US$39.00
Asia Publishing Exchange Pte Ltd, Singapore, Republic of Singapore
This useful workbook is dedicated to Bhagawan Sri Sathya Sai Baba who has been an inspiration in the treatment of patients in the Indian subcontinent. The book is designed for bedside training in electrocardiography and the use of thrombolytic agents for acute ischemic heart disease. It gives a background history of the use of thrombolytic therapy in acute myocardial infarction, with an update written in 1997. The interesting case studies illustrated by single and serial electrocardiograms, highlight the wide spectrum of ischemic coronary artery disease. We are led by carefully selected electrocardiograms through the various arrhythmias and conduction abnormalities that may complicate acute myocardial infarction. The eventual diagnosis of chest pain is effectively covered by sections on pericarditis, silent infarction, and aneurysm formation.
The place of exercise stress testing is emphasized and consideration is given to the indications for angioplasty, coronary artery bypass surgery, and thrombolytic therapy. The fact that bleeding complications associated with thrombolytic therapy increase with age, is documented. There is adequate discussion throughout the publication regarding the appropriate forms of treatment, whether they be medical, surgical, interventional angioplasty, or thrombolytic therapy. This is a very rapidly developing area of cardiology where one has to consider both the facilities available and the need for patient follow-up.
This workbook is a very welcome addition to our teaching armamentarium, which can be employed to advantage by physicians, nurses, paramedics, and medical students. I congratulate the authors on the comprehensive nature of their book and recommend it as a background to clinical cardiology as well as a very interesting selection of clinical problems; mainly coronary artery disease, unstable angina, and acute myocardial infarction.
