Sudden Cardiac Death

From The Critics

Reviewer: Brian Olshansky, MD(Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine)
Description: This new book attempts to provide a comprehensive view on the important problem of sudden cardiac death. The book is written by experts in cardiac electrophysiology who provide their perspective on the causes, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of sudden cardiac death.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide the "most current information" about the pathophysiology of sudden cardiac death and about new therapies. A book on sudden cardiac death, the most common form of death in the United States, is worthy. Concise, well-summarized, up-to-date information in this rapidly changing field is hard to find. However, the book only partially meets the objectives outlined in the preface.
Audience: The author does not specify the audience, but the book is apparently targeted at trainees in electrophysiology, cardiac electrophysiologists, and some cardiologists with specific interest in sudden death. The book does not appear to be directed at internists or cardiac surgeons. It is unlikely to be read by residents or nurses. The contributors are credible authorities.
Features: The black-and-white illustrations are generally of fair quality and are sparse. More current and pertinent illustrations are desirable. Although the quality of the references in this book varies, they are generally good. They tend to be repetitive (among chapters) and reference to contributors' publications is disproportionate. Although pertinent, most references are more than 3 years old. The quality of the index and the table of contents is very good. The book is well designed and attractive. The unique features of the book are the subject matter, the quality of the contributors, and the attractive layout.
Assessment: The book provides an excellent overview of the subject. There are, however, deficiencies. The book gives an electrophysiology perspective and is therefore of greatest interest to electrophysiologists. The chapters are well conceived, but they overlap more than is necessary. Despite this, the transitions are choppy. It is not comprehensive; lacking are data on epidemiology. Emerging and newer technologies and therapeutic options are underemphasized. Nevertheless, this will be an authoritative book on the subject. The book is recommended for purchase by libraries, bookstores, and individuals.

Brian Olshansky

This new book attempts to provide a comprehensive view on the important problem of sudden cardiac death. The book is written by experts in cardiac electrophysiology who provide their perspective on the causes, evaluation, prevention, and treatment of sudden cardiac death. The purpose is to provide the ""most current information"" about the pathophysiology of sudden cardiac death and about new therapies. A book on sudden cardiac death, the most common form of death in the United States, is worthy. Concise, well-summarized, up-to-date information in this rapidly changing field is hard to find. However, the book only partially meets the objectives outlined in the preface. The author does not specify the audience, but the book is apparently targeted at trainees in electrophysiology, cardiac electrophysiologists, and some cardiologists with specific interest in sudden death. The book does not appear to be directed at internists or cardiac surgeons. It is unlikely to be read by residents or nurses. The contributors are credible authorities. The black-and-white illustrations are generally of fair quality and are sparse. More current and pertinent illustrations are desirable. Although the quality of the references in this book varies, they are generally good. They tend to be repetitive (among chapters) and reference to contributors' publications is disproportionate. Although pertinent, most references are more than 3 years old. The quality of the index and the table of contents is very good. The book is well designed and attractive. The unique features of the book are the subject matter, the quality of the contributors, and the attractive layout. The book provides an excellent overview of thesubject. There are, however, deficiencies. The book gives an electrophysiology perspective and is therefore of greatest interest to electrophysiologists. The chapters are well conceived, but they overlap more than is necessary. Despite this, the transitions are choppy. It is not comprehensive; lacking are data on epidemiology. Emerging and newer technologies and therapeutic options are underemphasized. Nevertheless, this will be an authoritative book on the subject. The book is recommended for purchase by libraries, bookstores, and individuals.

3 Stars from Doody