This comprehensive manual reviews the management of cardiorenal syndrome in heart failure. Chapters are structured in a practically applicable and easy-to-follow format with realistic case vignettes and key clinical management questions and answers, followed by a brief discussion of underlying pathophysiological mechanisms of a patient with cardiorenal syndrome. Building from this case, key questions are posed that are relevant to the clinical management and then potential evidence-based treatment strategies are proposed. Topics covered include loop diuretic resistance in acute and chronic heart failure, abdominal congestion, low output failure and potential diuretic complications due to hyponatremia. Cardiorenal Syndrome in Heart Failure thoroughly reviews cardiorenal syndrome from the perspective of both the cardiologist and nephrologist. Its case-based approach makes it an ideal resource for both practising and trainee cardiology and nephrology practitioners.

For many years, there has been a great deal of work done on chronic congestive heart failure while acute heart failure has been considered a difficult to handle and hopeless syndrome. However, in recent years acute heart failure has become a growing area of study and this is the first book to cover extensively the diagnosis and management of this complex condition. The book reflects the considerable amounts of new data reported and many new concepts which have been proposed in the last 3-4 years looking at the epidemiology, diagnostic and treatment of acute heart failure.

The treatment of hypertension has become the most important intervention in the management of all forms of chronic kidney disease. Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension is a current, concise, and practical guide to the identification, treatment and management of hypertension in patients with chronic kidney disease. In depth chapters discuss many relevant clinical questions and the future of treatment through medications and or novel new devices. Written by expert authors, Chronic Kidney Disease and Hypertension provides an up-to-date perspective on management and treatment and how it may re-shape practice approaches tomorrow.

Associated with both acute kidney injury (AKI) and cardio-renal syndromes (CRS), new biomarkers represent both a popular area of investigation and a new opportunity for advancement of therapy. This book contains the resolutions of the most recent ADQI conferences on biomarkers in AKI (Dublin) and on cardio-renal syndromes (Venice). The first part answers specific questions about new biomarkers and their use and utility in AKI: What are the most suitable candidate molecules and physiologic measures, how solid and evidence based is the discovery phase? How can we incorporate the new biomarkers in the AKI conceptual model describing the evolution from susceptibility to insult, decreased GFR and organ death? Even if we have a positive biomarker pattern and we can identify patients at risk or patients with early or even subclinical AKI, how is this information affecting our clinical behavior and practice? The second part is dedicated to the appraisal of the current knowledge about the pathophysiological mechanisms involved in different forms of CRS: it contains contributions on the state-of-the-art knowledge and practice of CRS, particularly focusing on the pathophysiology of the five subtypes. Acute and chronic mechanisms of damage are explored in depth, with particular attention to the primacy of organ involvement and the subsequent pathways of organ crosstalk.Presenting the most recent research in the field of biomarkers, AKI and CRS, this publication is an important educational tool for advanced investigators and clinical experts, but also for students and fellows.

Chronic kidney disease with a worldwide prevalence of 10% in the general population is emerging as a major public health priority. Renal dysfunction is associated with a high risk for cardiovascular complications. The relationship between renal insufficiency and cardiovascular disease, termed the cardiorenal syndrome exists whether impairment of renal function is a consequence of primary renal parenchymal disease or primary heart disease. Several pathophysiologic mechanisms have been postulated to explain the relationship between renal dysfunction and cardiovascular disease. Recent studies indicate an integrated response of the vascular smooth muscles and glomerular mesangial cells to traditional and uremia related cardiovascular risk factors. Traditional risk factors can incite renal impairment and cardiac damage. As renal function deteriorates, uremia-related risk factors play an increasing role both in reduction in glomerular filtration rate and cardiovascular damage. Several uremia related factors such as uncontrolled hypertension, disturbed glucose insulin metabolism, microalbuminuria, phosphate retention, secondary hyperparathyroidism, myocardial and vascular calcification, hypertensive-uremic cardiomyopathy, inflammation, oxidant injury, and neurohormonal dysregulation have been implicated in the pathogenesis of the cardiorenal syndrome. Recent data suggest that management of the cardiorenal syndrome requires aggressive control of traditional risk factors as well novel approaches to prevent or reverse uremia –related processes. This book provides a comprehensive update analysis of our current understanding of the cardiorenal syndrome including epidemiology, pathophysiologic mechanisms, and therapeutic approaches.

This textbook provides a practical and board-driven resource to describe and define the emerging field of cardiorenal medicine. Covering all aspects of the topic with depth and relevance, this groundbreaking reference brings together experts at the nexus between cardiovascular and renal medicine to provide an exception reference to educate in this critical area of modern medicine. It describes how the heart and kidneys are inextricably linked via hemodynamic, neural, hormonal and cellular signaling systems and, concentrating on disease-based coverage, goes on to review emerging concepts in epidemiology, pathogenesis, screening, diagnosis and the management of cardiorenal syndromes, all extensively illustrated and containing features to support scholarship in the field. Textbook of Cardiorenal Medicine provides consistent chapter organization, clear design and engaging text to define the diagnosis, treatment, intervention and surgical aspects of the full range of conditions encountered within this area of medicine. It is therefore an essential resource to all involved in the management of cardiorenal disease.

Acute heart failure is a potentially life threatening situation where correct, rapid therapy can have a life saving impact. In this rapidly changing area of medicine this text aims to bring the latest understanding of the pathophysiology together with a practical guide to diagnosis and management using a thoroughly evidence based approach. This will appeal to a wide audience of health care professionals who will treat patients with acute heart failure, including doctors, medical students, nurses, and other professionals in the Emergency Department, General Internal Medicine, Anaesthetics, Cardiology (Medicine and Surgery) and Critical Care settings. It may be used as an evidence based guide for the junior practitioner or as an aide-memoire for the more senior. Always keeping the underlying pathophysiology at the forefront of the discussion, the reader is encouraged to understand the aetiology of the acute situation and how to direct management in order to correct the abnormal physiology. Each chapter is heavily referenced allowing the reader to easily refer to the original experimental studies and pursue topics in more detail if required. This text is a valuable addition to any practitioner who treats patients with acute heart failure and wants a deeper understanding of the condition.

Arterial hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart fail ure are the commonest cardiovascular conditions to present in clinical practice. Over the past few years it has become in creasingly clear that they are closely and causally interrelated and that their relationship can have a significant bearing on prognosis. Epidemiological studies have shown that arterial hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for de veloping heart failure. Only one in four patients with hyper tension is adequately managed, and in 50% of cases, the hypertension has not been recognised or treated. Patients with pre-existing hypertension who go on to suffer an acute myocardial infarction have usually not previously had typi cal angina symptoms, the infarct territory is larger, life threatening arrhythmias are commoner and hence in-hospi tal mortality and long-term prognosis are markedly worse. The presence of raised blood pressure in the post-infarct phase doubles the risk of manifest heart failure. The close relationship between hypertension, coronary heart disease and heart failure makes the choice of therapeu tic strategy particularly important. Agents and classes of agents that have prognostic value in all three conditions should be considered first, as synergy might result in addi tional benefits. In such patients, this sort of therapeutic deci sion-making might have further advantages. The use of these agents may prevent complications which are not yet clinically obvious (such as heart failure).

Using a multidisciplinary, team-oriented approach, this unique title expertly covers all the latest approaches to the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of patients with critical cardiac illness. Led by Dr David L. Brown, a stellar team of authoritative writers guides you through cardiac pathophysiology, disease states presenting in the CICU, and state-of-the-art advanced diagnosis and therapeutic techniques. A visually appealing format, new chapters, and thorough updates ensure that you stay on the cutting edge of this rapidly advancing field. - Discusses recent changes in cardiac intensive care, including new care paradigms, new mechanical support modalities, and new therapies and interventions. - Contains 11 new chapters: Palliative Care, Temporary Pacemaker Insertion, Pericardiocentesis, Distributive Shock, Electrical Storm, Cardiopulmonary Cerebral Resuscitation after Cardiac Arrest, Temporary Mechanical Circulatory Support Devices, Cardiorenal Syndrome, Fulminant Myocarditis, Stress-Induced Cardiomyopathy, Diagnosis and Treatment of Unstable Supraventricular Tachycardia. - Online access features heart sounds and murmurs to accompany the chapter on history and physical examination, videos of clinical images and key procedures, frequently updated information on late-breaking clinical trials, reviews of new research publications, and more. - Concisely yet thoroughly covers acute and severe heart failure, chronic pulmonary hypertension, life-threatening dysrhythmias, aortic dissection, and other cardiac conditions as they relate to intensive care. - Explains drug therapy for key cardiac drugs, such as inotropes, vasodilators, anti-arrhythmics, diuretics, anticoagulants, and anti-platelets, and discusses important drug interactions. - Ideal for all healthcare professionals involved in cardiac intensive care, including intensivists, cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, residents, fellows, cardiac nurses, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, and nutritionists. - Expert ConsultTM eBook version included with purchase. This enhanced eBook experience allows you to search all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices and contains an up to date collection of all relevant ACC/AHA and ESC guidelines.

Hemodialysis therapy has become a well-established form of renal replacement, and due to continuous improvements in technology, a series of new biomaterials and techniques for the clinical routine have been developed. Nevertheless, cardiovascular disorders in hemodialysis and uremia represent one of the most important aspects of modern nephrological care. This publication is therefore dedicated to cardiovascular risk factors, the role of the endothelium, problems related to mineral disorders and finally to the possible impact of new technologies on the final outcome in hemodialysis. Being a state-of-the-art appraisal of today's technology and current issues in hemodialysis with special regard to cardiovascular disorders and risk factors, this book is a synthesis between an educational effort aimed at the newer generations of physicians and nurses in the field of hemodialysis and a state-of-the-art description of the most advanced technologies in this field. At the same time, the lessons learned from large international trials, either already completed or to be completed in the years to come, are presented.