Cardiac Markers

New England Journal of Medicine

The book provides a concise and informative summary of a rapidly developing field and will be a useful addition to the bookshelves of clinical pathologists, emergency physicians, and cardiologists.

Stephen E. Kahn

This text primarily describes both current and possible future diagnostic laboratory tests for the assessment of patients potentially suffering from coronary artery disease, as well as how these procedures should be used in a clinical setting. The purpose is to provide the latest knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes, the spectrum of clinical laboratory tests available for effective assessment, and the practical considerations in the use of, and clinical applications for, these cardiac marker procedures. The primary target audiences are practicing clinical laboratorians and clinical practitioners (particularly those in cardiology, emergency medicine, and general medicine). A secondary target audience would be students in laboratory medicine at a relatively advanced level (e.g., pathology residents and fellows). The content and format of this text are straightforward. Chapters are grouped into subdivisions on general clinical considerations in this area of cardiology, the current list of cardiac markers available for laboratory assessment (both cytoplasmic and structural), and the format/potential for future testing approaches (particularly those employing point-of-care testing applications). End of chapter reference lists are comprehensive, current, and highly pertinent. The index is useful, the format is logical, and the text is adequately illustrated with many practical figures and tables. This is a valuable addition to the compendium of laboratory medicine literature on diagnostic tests and their appropriate clinical application. The editor effectively combines fundamental clinical information and concerns with the appropriate practicalconsiderations in the use of a wide variety of laboratory test procedures relevant to this area. Laboratory practitioners may find this text more valuable than clinical practitioners due to the wealth of practical information provided about numerous analytical approaches which may not be of great interest to the clinician. Still, this book is highly recommended for any individual interested in the state-of-the-art of the appropriate laboratory assessment of the acute coronary syndrome patient.

Booknews

To help keep pace with the burgeoning knowledge base in cardiology, 17 papers detail the biochemical markers clinical laboratories use to aid in the earliest possible diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery diseases. Several contributors discuss the clinical aspects of CAD; specific cytoplasmic markers are addressed in six papers; and information on structural markers occupies others. Future trends in markers and point-of-care testing are considered in the concluding part. Other noteworthy features include a listing of commercial methodologies for all cardiac markers, and a description of their application in clinical settings in a cost- effective manner. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

From The Critics

Reviewer: Stephen E. Kahn, PhD(Loyola University Medical Center)
Description: This text primarily describes both current and possible future diagnostic laboratory tests for the assessment of patients potentially suffering from coronary artery disease, as well as how these procedures should be used in a clinical setting.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide the latest knowledge concerning the pathophysiology of acute coronary syndromes, the spectrum of clinical laboratory tests available for effective assessment, and the practical considerations in the use of, and clinical applications for, these cardiac marker procedures.
Audience: The primary target audiences are practicing clinical laboratorians and clinical practitioners (particularly those in cardiology, emergency medicine, and general medicine). A secondary target audience would be students in laboratory medicine at a relatively advanced level (e.g., pathology residents and fellows).
Features: The content and format of this text are straightforward. Chapters are grouped into subdivisions on general clinical considerations in this area of cardiology, the current list of cardiac markers available for laboratory assessment (both cytoplasmic and structural), and the format/potential for future testing approaches (particularly those employing point-of-care testing applications). End of chapter reference lists are comprehensive, current, and highly pertinent. The index is useful, the format is logical, and the text is adequately illustrated with many practical figures and tables.
Assessment: This is a valuable addition to the compendium of laboratory medicine literature on diagnostic tests and their appropriate clinical application. The editor effectively combines fundamental clinical information and concerns with the appropriate practical considerations in the use of a wide variety of laboratory test procedures relevant to this area. Laboratory practitioners may find this text more valuable than clinical practitioners due to the wealth of practical information provided about numerous analytical approaches which may not be of great interest to the clinician. Still, this book is highly recommended for any individual interested in the state-of-the-art of the appropriate laboratory assessment of the acute coronary syndrome patient.

3 Stars from Doody