Restenosis After Intervention With New Mechanical Devices

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Restenosis after Intervention with New Mechanical Devices

Author : P.W. Serruys
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 940112650X
Total Pages : 500 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis Restenosis after Intervention with New Mechanical Devices by : P.W. Serruys

Download or read book Restenosis after Intervention with New Mechanical Devices written by P.W. Serruys and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 500 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: From the Foreword by Eric J. Topol In the past five years, interventional cardiology has entered a new era of evaluating percutaneous transcatheter technologies to treat coronary artery disease and prevent restenosis. Cardiologists attempting to follow this new and exciting field may easily be confused by the growth and expansion of new devices, the technical details relevant to each device and enthusiastic claims of success. This monograph is a comprehensive and objective assessment of restenosis from the perspective of these new technologies including stenting, atherectomy, rotational abrasion and lasers, written by innovators and pioneers. The international breadth of experience is reflected in the summary of experiences from both sides of the Atlantic, at times with conflicting observations and results which in itself is valuable, given the diverse experience to date. In addition to the lucid summaries of the early and late results of these new devices, important issues in the methodology of restenosis research are addressed, including limitations of quantitative coronary arteriography in evaluating the new devices and important advances in alternatives to arteriography such as intravascular imaging. As a whole, this monograph is exceptionally worthwhile owing to its complete, up-to-date, balanced and visionary elements. There is no question that the new coronary device era has ushered in some excitement, and some despair. This book serves a pivotal purpose by weaving so many new concepts together, establishing the groundwork for further development of mechanical approaches to limit restenosis. I heartily recommend this text to all interventional cardiologists interested in practical and research aspects of restenosis.

Quality of Life after Open Heart Surgery

Author : P.J. Walter
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401126402
Total Pages : 509 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis Quality of Life after Open Heart Surgery by : P.J. Walter

Download or read book Quality of Life after Open Heart Surgery written by P.J. Walter and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 509 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: primary goal of all forms of therapy is not just prolonging life, but improving the quality of life, has forced analysis of what constitutes quality of life, a concept whose structure pervades all walks of life and eludes definition. Global well being, happiness, morale, vitality, fullness of social life, and satisfaction must be integrated and assessed for the effects of the disease and the therapy, in the context of specific personality traits, attitudes to life, family situation, and socio-economic and political freedom. A growing inter est in research on this subject has led to a clearer understanding of the components which come to determine quality of a patient's life, and how they can be measured in a reproducible manner so that valid comparisons can be made. Keeping these recommendations of analysing quality of life within the context of patients who have undergone open heart surgery, it seemed appro priate to me to separate the influence of various forms of open heart surgery into five aspects of life which can comprehensively reflect the quality of life outcome of the operation. These five 'components' are (1) Physiological state, which summarises the traditionally reported incidence of operative mortality and morbidity, objectively and subjectively measured physical ca pacity, and the residual symptoms, treatment and long-term survival. (2) Intellectual functioning relates to the psychoneurolgocial deficit in memory, reasoning or judgement because of cerebral microembolism and hypo perfusion during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Imaging and Intervention in Cardiology

Author : C.A. Nienaber
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400901151
Total Pages : 554 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Imaging and Intervention in Cardiology by : C.A. Nienaber

Download or read book Imaging and Intervention in Cardiology written by C.A. Nienaber and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 554 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The aim of this work is to give clinicians and interventionalists an overview of the use of cardiac imaging techniques in combination with modern interventional procedures such as thrombolysis, catheter-based coronary revascularization, valvuloplasty and interventions in congenital heart disease.

Ischemia-reperfusion in cardiac surgery

Author : Hans Michael Piper
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401117136
Total Pages : 457 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis Ischemia-reperfusion in cardiac surgery by : Hans Michael Piper

Download or read book Ischemia-reperfusion in cardiac surgery written by Hans Michael Piper and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 457 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In open heart surgery, protection of the myocardium against injury by ischemia-reperfusion is an issue of utmost clinical interest. The knowledge on the causal mechanisms of myocardial injury in ischemia-reperfusion has greatly progressed in recent years, both to clinical and experimental research. This book provides a critical and comprehensive overview on the current discussion of myocardial protection in cardiac experimental research and surgery. Leading groups from Europe, the U.S. and Japan have contributed reviews of their special fields. On the basic science side, major topics discussed are the mechanisms of stunning and lethal reperfusion injury, the role of the endothelium and leukocyte activation in postischemic myocardial dysfunction, and the differences between the adult and neonatal myocardium. On the clinical side, the major concepts and procedures for cardioplegic myocardial protection, their rationales, application and respective merits are discussed. In a third part of the book, possible approaches for the monitoring of myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion are evaluated, with particular attention to their intraoperative use. This book brings together the scientific discussions on ischemia-reperfusion in experimental cardiology and cardiac surgery, a task needed for a long time. It is of general interest for clinicians as well as research workers and students in the cardiac field.

Coronary Bypass Surgery in the Elderly

Author : P.J. Walter
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401102090
Total Pages : 270 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis Coronary Bypass Surgery in the Elderly by : P.J. Walter

Download or read book Coronary Bypass Surgery in the Elderly written by P.J. Walter and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 270 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Coronary artery bypass surgery in the elderly: Too often or too seldom? It is a testimony to scientific advances that raising a simple inquiry today, such as whether coronary artery bypass surgery is done too often or too seldom in elderlypatients, requiresanexplorationofwhatviewsonemightholdonseveral medical as well as non-medical issues. Unlike earlier years when doctors were clinically free to decide what should be done with a patient, health has become an expensive human right, decisions about which also involve the patient, the epidemiologist, the health policy administrator, politicians, the exchequer, and the philosopher. In its broadest definition health has come to mean the core of well-being and, therefore, the goal ofany socio-economic system. Until only a decade ago, medical opinion regarding how often coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) was indicated or useful was unclear. Becauseof multi-organ senescence, the elderly were expected to have a higher rate operative morbidity and mortality and, having crossed an advanced life span, might not live very long after the operation. Decision making on medical grounds first depends on knowing if a patient can survive an operation compared to how long they would survive without it, i. e.

What’s New in Cardiac Imaging?

Author : Ernst E. van der Wall
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401124566
Total Pages : 563 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis What’s New in Cardiac Imaging? by : Ernst E. van der Wall

Download or read book What’s New in Cardiac Imaging? written by Ernst E. van der Wall and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 563 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the introduction of myocardial perfusion imaging and radionuclide angiography in the mid-seventies, cardiovascular nuclear medicine has undergone an explosive growth. The use of nuclear cardiology techniques has become one of the cornerstones of the noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease. In the past 15 years major steps have been made from visual analysis to quantitative analysis, from planar imaging to tomographic imaging, from detection of disease to prognosis, and from separate evaluations of perfusion, metabolism, and function to an integrated assessment of myocardial viability. In recent years many more advances have been made in cardiovascular nuclear imaging, such as the development of new imaging agents, reevaluation of existing procedures, and new clinical applications. This book describes the most recent developments in nuclear cardiology and also addresses new contrast agents in MRI. What's New in Cardiac Imaging will assist the clinical cardiologist, the cardiology fellow, the nuclear medicine physician, and the radiologist in understanding the most recent achievements in clinical cardiovascular nuclear imaging.

The Arterial System in Hypertension

Author : Michel Emile Safar
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401109001
Total Pages : 239 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis The Arterial System in Hypertension by : Michel Emile Safar

Download or read book The Arterial System in Hypertension written by Michel Emile Safar and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 239 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: MICHEL E. SAFAR and MICHAEL F. O'ROURKE One of the principal problems of hypertension is the precise definition of blood pressure as a cardiovascular risk factor. Clinicians indicate peak systolic pressure and end diastolic pressure in the brachial artery as the principal criteria for blood pressure measurement. Consequently, these values are as indicators for clinical management and therapeutic adjustment. This used methodology, based on indirect blood pressure measurements at the site of the brachial artery relates only to the highest and lowest pressure in that vessel, and does not give any information of the blood pressure curve itself; this carries more information than peak systolic pressure and end diastolic pressure. As a first step in better analysis of the blood pressure curve, research workers in experimental hypertension defined in addition to peak systolic pressure and end diastolic, another blood pressure value, mean arterial pressure, i. e. the average pressure throughout the cardiac cycle, and about which pressure fluctuates. This is the pressure recorded by Hales [1] and by Poiseuille [2] in their pioneering studies. By application of Poiseuille's Law, this definition of mean arterial pressure led to the concept that increased mean arterial pressure (and therefore hypertension) was related, at any given value of cardiac output, to an increase in vascular resistance, i. e. to a reduc tion in the caliber of the small arteries.

Myocardial viability

Author : A.S. Iskandrian
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401111707
Total Pages : 209 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis Myocardial viability by : A.S. Iskandrian

Download or read book Myocardial viability written by A.S. Iskandrian and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 209 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past few years it has become clear that left ventricular dysfunction, even of severe degree, may be reversible after coronary revascularization in some patients. As a result, myocardial viability has captured the imagination of researchers and clinicians seeking to unravel the cellular and subcellular mechanisms and define appropriate diagnostic modalities. These diagnostic modalities include: cardiac catheterization, positron-emission tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, two-dimensional echocardiography and single-photon imaging. This book, for the first time, brings together a diverse array of information in a comprehensive and concise fashion using a template of ten chapters written by experts in the field. It will be required reading for cardiologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, cardiac surgeons, anesthesiologists, internists and basic researchers and their trainees who are involved in the management of patients with coronary artery disease in whom myocardial viability is a clinically relevant issue.

Myocardial Protection and the KATP Channel

Author : Derek Yellon
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9780792337911
Total Pages : 232 pages
Book Rating : 4.3/5 (379 download)

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Book Synopsis Myocardial Protection and the KATP Channel by : Derek Yellon

Download or read book Myocardial Protection and the KATP Channel written by Derek Yellon and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 1995-12-31 with total page 232 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP) was discovered in 1983. Since then, an enormous amount of research has been undertaken to characterize it in detail. This volume consolidates both the current knowledge and most recent advances on the subject, and its relationship to myocardial protection. To this end, the editors have assembled investigators at the forefront of ongoing basic and clinical research to provide scholarly and candid comments concerning each of the pertinent issues, including: a comprehensive review of the biology of the channel with respect to the structure-activity relationship as well as overall chemistry of the channel; the role of opening this channel and its effect on smooth muscle (covering both the effects on myocardial stunning and its ability to protect against myocardial infarction); the relationship of KATP channel opening and the protection to the myocardium afforded by the phenomenon of ischemic preconditioning; the relationship between the KATP channel and electrophysiological consequences with specific reference to arrhythmogenicity; and the clinical implications of the use of agents that mimic the opening of this channel, with reference to its protective nature and its use in the treatment of angina. Audience: Clinicians and basic scientists who have a direct interest in the KATP channel as well as those groups who are interested in the entire concept of myocardial protection and its relationship to academic and clinical medicine.

The Pacemaker Clinic of the 90’s

Author : N.M. van Hemel
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 940110347X
Total Pages : 277 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (11 download)

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Book Synopsis The Pacemaker Clinic of the 90’s by : N.M. van Hemel

Download or read book The Pacemaker Clinic of the 90’s written by N.M. van Hemel and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 277 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since the first pacemaker implantation in October 1958 by Senning and Elmqvist in Sweden, cardiac pacing for bradycardia has become a well-established therapy. The impressive growth of clinical experience and the rapid development of pacemaker devices have greatly contributed to this situation. The electrical therapy appears to be so easy that insertion of the lead and its connection to the pacemaker generator requires little effort, skill or insight. However, after implantation a patient's condition seldom remains stable, which requires a flexible pacing program to cover all new cardiac events, and broad insight from clinician and technical colleagues. The Pacemaker Clinic of the 90's teaches anatomical and electrophysiological aspects of pacing, supports the prevention of complications, and points to new developments in the field. Apart from classical indications for cardiac pacing, the book discusses the validity of the latest indications, supporting the cardiologist and the associated professional in selecting the appropriate pacing mode and pacemaker follow-up in individual patients. The Pacemaker Clinic of the 90's will be a helpful companion for years to come.

Molecular Cardiology for the Cardiologists

Author : Bernard Swynghedauw
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461520193
Total Pages : 266 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (615 download)

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Book Synopsis Molecular Cardiology for the Cardiologists by : Bernard Swynghedauw

Download or read book Molecular Cardiology for the Cardiologists written by Bernard Swynghedauw and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 266 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Molecular Cardiology for the Cardiologist provides a short, easily readable summary of what the new biology brings to cardiology. With this in mind, special efforts have been made to present many comprehensive schemes and drawings, as well as teaching tables. The five parts of the book provide a general introduction to the new language of biology; the normal structure of the heart and blood vessels; the physiopathology and the new therapeutic avenues that have been opened up by the new biology. A concise summary of the keys that assist the cardiologist or student who seeks to learn and read more about this field. Provides practical examples to illustrate the clinical interest of the new approach.

Animal models in cardiovascular research

Author : D.R. Gross
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9401707308
Total Pages : 512 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (17 download)

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Book Synopsis Animal models in cardiovascular research by : D.R. Gross

Download or read book Animal models in cardiovascular research written by D.R. Gross and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2013-04-17 with total page 512 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Interest in the humane and scientifically justifiable use of research animals has intensified since the publication of the first edition of this textbook. This completely revised and updated text provides information essential to any researcher interested in using animal models for cardiovascular research, or any research which requires normal cardiovascular function. The format and presentation have been changed to make the text more easy to read and use. An introductory chapter offers general principles of animal selection, pre and post-operative care, preanesthesia, chemical restraint, analgesia, and the recognition of pain. The number of references cited has been almost doubled over the previous text and the chapter tabulating normal cardiovascular parameters from intact, awake animals, of those species commonly used in research, has been greatly expanded. Other chapters providing comprehensive data on the cardiovascular effects of opioids, tranquilizers, anesthetic agents and other drugs commonly used in cardiovascular research have been expanded with special emphasis on species variability to drug effects. The chapters on both naturally occurring and iatrogenic models of cardiovascular disease have also been expanded and updated.

Cardiovascular Imaging

Author : Johan H. C. Reiber
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 9400902913
Total Pages : 579 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (9 download)

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Book Synopsis Cardiovascular Imaging by : Johan H. C. Reiber

Download or read book Cardiovascular Imaging written by Johan H. C. Reiber and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 579 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: In the past, coronary arteriography was the only modality available to provide high quality images of the coronary anatomy. Quantitative coronary arteriography (QCA) was developed, implemented, validated and extensively applied to obtain accurate and reproducible data about coronary morphology and the functional significance of coronary obstructions. Over the last few years extensive basic technological research supported by clinical investigations has created competing modalities to visualize coronary morphology and the associated perfusion of the myocardial muscle. Currently, the following modalities are available: X-ray coronary arteriography, intracoronary ultrasound, contrast- and stress-echocardiography, angioscopy, nuclear cardiology, magnetic resonance imaging, and cine and spiral CT imaging. For all these imaging modalities, the application of dedicated quantitative analytical software packages enables the evaluation of the imaging studies in a more accurate, reliable, and reproducible manner. These extensions and achievements have resulted in improved diagnostics and subsequently in improved patient care. Particularly in patients with ischaemic heart disease, major progress has been made to detect coronary artery disease in an early phase of the disease process, to follow the atherosclerotic changes in the coronary arteries, to establish the functional and metabolic consequences of the luminal obstructions, and accurately to assess the results of interventional therapy. Aside from all these high-tech developments in cardiac imaging techniques, the transition from the analogue to the digital world has been going on for some time now. For the future, it has been predicted that the CD-R will be the exchange medium for cardiac images and DICOM-3 the standard file format. This has been a major achievement in the field of standardization activities. Since these developments will have a major impact on the way images will be stored, reviewed and exchanged in the near future, an important part of this book has been dedicated to DICOM and the filmless catheterization laboratory. Cardiovascular Imaging will assist cardiologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine physicians, image processing specialists, physicists, basic scientists, and fellows in training for these specialties to understand the most recent achievements in cardiac imaging techniques and their impact on cardiovascular medicine.

Mechanisms of Heart Failure

Author : Pawan K. Singal
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461520037
Total Pages : 464 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (615 download)

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Book Synopsis Mechanisms of Heart Failure by : Pawan K. Singal

Download or read book Mechanisms of Heart Failure written by Pawan K. Singal and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 464 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Mechanisms of Heart Failure is based on papers selected from poster presentations made at the International Conference on Heart Failure, Winnipeg, May 20-23, 1994. Although the entire book is one continuous discussion of subcellular mechanisms of heart failure and its treatment, the presentation has been divided into three sections: the opening section on the subcellular basis of heart failure includes discussions of cytokines, signal transduction, metabolism, extracellular matrix, organ level changes and newer approaches to understanding the pathogenesis of heart failure. The second section focuses on the pathophysiological aspects of cardiomyopathies and their treatment. In the final section, medical, surgical and pharmacological approaches to the treatment of heart failure are discussed in clinical and animal laboratory settings.

Heart Hypertrophy and Failure

Author : Naranjan S. Dhalla
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 146131237X
Total Pages : 549 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (613 download)

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Book Synopsis Heart Hypertrophy and Failure by : Naranjan S. Dhalla

Download or read book Heart Hypertrophy and Failure written by Naranjan S. Dhalla and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 549 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Heart Hypertrophy and Failure brings together leading basic scientists and clinicians, presenting improved knowledge of the pathophysiology and treatment of the condition. The result is a synthesis of state-of-the-art information on molecular biology, cellular physiology and structure-function relationships in the cardiovascular system in health and disease. The papers presented describe fundamental mechanisms underlying changes in the cellular machinery during the development of cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure. Audience: Students, scientists, clinical and experimental cardiologists who seek to understand and manage the perplexing problems of hypertrophy and heart failure.

Drug Evaluation in Angina Pectoris

Author : Gianluigi Ardissino
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461526280
Total Pages : 262 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (615 download)

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Book Synopsis Drug Evaluation in Angina Pectoris by : Gianluigi Ardissino

Download or read book Drug Evaluation in Angina Pectoris written by Gianluigi Ardissino and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 262 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Although there are many books on angina, few are devoted to the important problem of how to evaluate drug efficacy in angina pectoris. Drug Evaluation in Angina Pectoris has two fundamental aims: the first is to review the methodological aspects of drug evaluation in stable and unstable angina pectoris; the second is to provide a logical and methodological background for future studies aimed at assessing the ability of medical treatment to improve prognosis. Part I updates the pathophysiology, clinical presentation and prognosis of angina pectoris. Part II aims to `put in numbers' the symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia, starting from a revision of the currently used parameters. It is extremely important to quantify the variability of the disease for the correct design of clinical trial, a subject dealt with in Part III, which also discusses some clinico-pharmacological aspects of therapy. Part IV is a critical review of the drugs currently used for the treatment of stable and unstable angina, and particularly considers some important unresolved issues concerning their use. The current FDA and EC guidelines for the evaluation of antianginal drugs are briefly discussed in Part V, giving clinical investigators insight into how antianginal drugs are evaluated by regulatory agencies and what is considered as proof of a valid efficacy/tolerability ratio. Drug Evaluation in Angina Pectoris will assist discerning cardiologists, pharmacologists, and advanced students of cardiology as well as innovative pharmaceutical companies, all of whom need to understand what angina is, how to evaluate treatment, and how to judge the agents used in its treatment.

Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography

Author : Markus Schwaiger
Publisher : Springer Science & Business Media
ISBN 13 : 1461312337
Total Pages : 384 pages
Book Rating : 4.4/5 (613 download)

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Book Synopsis Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography by : Markus Schwaiger

Download or read book Cardiac Positron Emission Tomography written by Markus Schwaiger and published by Springer Science & Business Media. This book was released on 2012-12-06 with total page 384 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: It is the mark of an instructed mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits, and not to seek exactness where only an approximation of the truth is possible. Aristotle With the development of imaging techniques, the in vivo study of human anatomy and physiology has become possible with increasing "approximation of the truth. " Advances have been made not only in data acquisition, but also in processing as well as visualization of functional and morphological data. Following the successful application of planar two-dimensional imaging approaches, more recently three-dimensional data acquisition and correspond ing tomographic image reconstruction has become possible. With the rapid growth of computer support, advanced processing allows for user-friendly interaction with complex data sets. Classical x-ray imaging techniques have matured to excellent spatial resolution and contrast, which provide specific delineation of anatomical changes occurring in cardiovascular disease. In parallel, the use of tracer principles supported the successful introduction of nuclear medicine procedures for the functional characterization of physiology and pathophysiology. The application of such techniques were initially limited by relatively poor spatial resolution, but excelled in high sensitivity 30 years, scintigraphic imaging emerged from and specificity. In the last rectilinear scanning to planar gamma camera imaging and single-photon xvi Preface emISSIOn tomography (SPECT). Based on these advances and the experi mental success of autoradiography, the potential of scintigraphy as a clinical and research tool has been well appreciated.