As the diagnostic and therapeutic tools for the management of complex cardiac valve disease continue to evolve, the options for patients who previously had few choices continue to expand. Such advances have resulted in a renaissance in how Heart Teams approach problems and have been able to engage patients in shared decision-making conversations towards a common goal. While opportunities exist in the management of physiologically challenging congenital heart disease, the vast explosion of research and development in the area of aortic valve disease has offered new hope to patients for improving their quality and quantity of life. The goal of this text is to hopefully serve as a foundation for those who want to explore such topics in greater detail.

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.

Due to population aging, calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) has become the most common heart valve disease in Western countries. No therapies exist to slow this disease progression, and surgical valve replacement is the only effective treatment. Calcific Aortic Valve Disease covers the contemporary understanding of basic valve biology and the mechanisms of CAVD, provides novel insights into the genetics, proteomics, and metabolomics of CAVD, depicts new strategies in heart valve tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, and explores current treatment approaches. As we are on the verge of understanding the mechanisms of CAVD, we hope that this book will enable readers to comprehend our current knowledge and focus on the possibility of preventing disease progression in the future.

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), despite a long and troubled history, is very rapidly evolving into a therapy that can be safely and effectively applied across the world in patients experiencing acute cardiac and/or pulmonary failure. As experiences grow, there is a better understanding of nuances of the importance of teamwork, therapy guidelines and protocols, patient selection, and understanding the functional aspects of pump-circuit technology as it interfaces with human biology. The challenges in managing these very sick and complex patients cannot be understated. The goal of this text is to provide a framework for the development and successful growth of a program. Authors from Centers of Excellence Worldwide have shared their experiences in the full spectrum in dealing with this evolving field.

This updated second edition provides a comprehensive overview of cardiac pathology. Clear illustrations of the common styles of dissection are provided along with the normal anatomy and histology. The chapters cover autopsy heart examination, ischemic heart disease, myocarditis, sudden death, valvular disease, transplant pathology, cardiomyopathy, cardiac neoplasia and congenital heart disease with a clear analysis of diagnostic criteria (macroscopic, microscopic and genetic) for both common cardiac diseases and those of less common types. The text is accompanied by high quality macroscopic and microscopic images and references to other specialty data sources. Cardiac Pathology: A Guide to Current Practice is aimed at established pathologists and trainees, as well as any clinician with an interest in cardiac disease. It will be of value to those working in cardiac surgery, cardiology and those in the autopsy/forensic fields.

Principles of Heart Valve Engineering is the first comprehensive resource for heart valve engineering that covers a wide range of topics, including biology, epidemiology, imaging and cardiovascular medicine. It focuses on valves, therapies, and how to develop safer and more durable artificial valves. The book is suitable for an interdisciplinary audience, with contributions from bioengineers and cardiologists that includes coverage of valvular and potential future developments. This book provides an opportunity for bioengineers to study all topics relating to heart valve engineering in a single book as written by subject matter experts. - Covers the depth and breadth of this interdisciplinary area of research - Encompasses a wide range of topics, from basic science, to the translational applications of heart valve engineering - Contains contributions from leading experts in the field that are heavily illustrated

The Social Security Administration (SSA) uses a screening tool called the Listing of Impairments to identify claimants who are so severely impaired that they cannot work at all and thus immediately qualify for benefits. In this report, the IOM makes several recommendations for improving SSA's capacity to determine disability benefits more quickly and efficiently using the Listings.

Acute Rheumatic Fever and Rheumatic Heart Disease is a concise, yet comprehensive, clinical resource highlighting must-know information on rheumatic heart disease and acute rheumatic fever from a global perspective. Covering the major issues dominating the field, this practical resource presents sufficient detail for a deep and thorough understanding of the latest treatment options, potential complications, and disease management strategies to improve patient outcomes. - Divided into four distinct sections for ease of navigation: Acute Rheumatic Fever, Rheumatic Heart Disease, Population-Based Strategies for Disease Control, and Acute and Emergency Presentations. - International editors and chapter authors ensure a truly global perspective. - Covers all clinical aspects, including epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnosis, management, and treatment. - Includes key topics on population-based measures for disease control for effective primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. - Consolidates today's available information and guidance into a single, convenient resource.