This text serves as a convenient one-stop resource on the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of kidney diseases in context of advanced heart failure and presence of ventricular assist devices. Advances in managing heart failure, evidence-based practices and therapies are covered, along with the management of this unique and complex subset of patients. The book also provides insights into combined heart and kidney transplantation. Authored by leaders in nephrology, cardiology and transplantation, this book fills a critical knowledge gap in understanding and treating patients with acute or chronic dysfunction of the heart and kidneys and how one induces dysfunction in the other organ.

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.

Introductory Chapter: Introduction to Advanced Concepts in Endocarditis.

Extending from the outpatient management of cardiovascular and kidney disease, to hospital-based decision making in patients with cardio-renal disease and complex interfaces such as hemodialysis in patients with ventricular assist device support, this book serves as a single reference point for cardiology and nephrology clinicians and researchers dealing with the significant overlap areas between these two specialties. Chapters cover the physiology, biomarkers, therapeutic agents and full spectrum of these comorbidities and feature separate sections on cardiovascular and CKD evaluations, stratification of kidney transplant patients, lipid management in CKD, interventional strategies and hypertension. Leaders in cardiology, nephrology, hypertension and lipidology bring together the latest evidence with their collective clinical experience into this invaluable resource.This textbook is an essential resource for physicians and allied professionals practicing cardiology, nephrology, students and physician trainees, to deepen their understanding of this crucial field.

Offering comprehensive, authoritative coverage of mechanical circulatory support (MCS), this fully revised companion to Braunwald's Heart Disease provides the clinically relevant information you need to effectively use this therapy to treat and manage end-stage heart failure. New editors and authors – experts in both cardiology and cardiovascular surgery – bring you fully up to date with the newest technology and devices, as well as basic science, clinical applications, adverse event monitoring and management, socioeconomic implications, future directions, and more. - Covers all of the newest techniques, including new-generation devices. - Discusses the management of common patient problems, highlighting cautions and outcomes, as well as pathophysiology and rationale for treatment. - Brings you up to speed with the latest coverage of ventricular assist devices (VAD), extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), next-generation centrifugal pumps, and total artificial hearts. - Provides a complete clinical perspective of the latest scientific breakthroughs and analysis of the current literature. - Includes coverage of the most recent guidelines and protocols, including MCS for pediatric and congenital heart disease; the Interagency Registry of Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (INTERMACS) as a tool to track and advance clinical practice; and cellular, molecular, genomic, and functional changes that occur in the failing heart in response to MCS. - Presents practical evidence from the registry of thousands of cases to guide cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, emergency physicians, primary care physicians, and other team members on the best management course to follow for each particular patient. - Enhanced eBook version included with purchase, which allows you to access all of the text, figures, and references from the book on a variety of devices

Most patients with critical cardiac or thoracic conditions will at some stage pass through the cardiothoracic critical care unit. Critical care presents more complex clinical data than any other area of medicine. The new edition of Core Topics in Cardiothoracic Critical Care focuses on the latest practise in the management of patients in cardiothoracic intensive care. The practice of cardiothoracic critical care medicine is constantly evolving, and this new edition reflects the modernized learning styles for trainees. Each chapter includes key learning points as well as sample multiple choice questions and answers to assist in exam preparation. This edition also features updated chapters on ECMO, perioperative management of patients undergoing emergency cardiothoracic surgery, and advanced modes of organ support for patients. This text provides key knowledge in a concise and accessible manner for trainees, clinicians and consultants from specialities and disciplines such as cardiology and anaesthesia, and nursing and physiotherapy.

This book focuses on how ventricular assist devices (VADs) can help provide destination therapy for patients with terminal heart failure, one of the most serious diseases in the world today because of the tremendous number of patients, the high mortality rate, and the cost of care. One means of providing cardiological support for patients suffering from heart failure is with VADs, and more than 10,000 patients worldwide have now been implanted with these devices. Half of them already have lived more than one year, and 2,000 patients more than two years, after surgery. This improved survival means that we have reached a point where VADs can be used for destination therapy, not just for bridge-to-recovery or bridge-to-transplant. In view of the increasing number of patients with advanced-stage heart failure and the availability and longevity of transplanted hearts, VADs can solve many problems. In addition to providing information about the devices themselves, this book includes vital guidelines on long-term management and support of VAD-implanted patients’ everyday lives.

A significant medical event is expected in 1992: the first human use of a fully implantable, long-term cardiac assist device. This timely volume reviews the artificial heart program-and in particular, the National Institutes of Health's major investment-raising important questions. The volume includes: Consideration of the artificial heart versus heart transplantation and other approaches to treating end-stage heart disease, keeping in mind the different outcomes and costs of these treatments. A look at human issues, including the number of people who may require the artificial heart, patient quality of life, and other ethical and societal questions. Examination of how this technology's use can be targeted most appropriately. Attention to achieving access to this technology for all those who can benefit from it. The committee also offers three mechanisms to aid in allocating research and development funds.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a frequent clinical syndrome among hospitalized patients, independently associated with both short- and long-term mortality. Previous investigations attempted to identify effective interventions to prevent AKI or promote kidney function recovery in patients with AKI. Most were unsuccessful. Hence, additional studies are required in the field of AKI research. In this Special Issue, we are making a call to action to stimulate researchers and clinicians to submit their studies on AKI conducted in nephrology, internal medicine, critical care, and other disciplines that will provide additional knowledge and skills in the field of AKI research, ultimately to improve patient outcomes.

Extending from the outpatient management of cardiovascular and kidney disease, to hospital-based decision making in patients with cardio-renal disease and complex interfaces such as hemodialysis in patients with ventricular assist device support, this book serves as a single reference point for cardiology and nephrology clinicians and researchers dealing with the significant overlap areas between these two specialties. Chapters cover the physiology, biomarkers, therapeutic agents and full spectrum of these comorbidities and feature separate sections on cardiovascular and CKD evaluations, stratification of kidney transplant patients, lipid management in CKD, interventional strategies and hypertension. Leaders in cardiology, nephrology, hypertension and lipidology bring together the latest evidence with their collective clinical experience into this invaluable resource. This textbook is an essential resource for physicians and allied professionals practicing cardiology, nephrology, students and physician trainees, to deepen their understanding of this crucial field.