The new edition of this market-leading cardiac drug resource equips you with the latest advances in cardiovascular pharmacology, one of the most rapidly changing areas of medicine. It not only offers in-depth information on all of the drug classes used to treat heart disease, but also covers new drug classes, drug use for single and multiple problem management, and more. Dynamic full-color drawings illustrate key pharmacological and physiological actions, and a user-friendly organization directs you to the information you need. An increased emphasis on the practical use of drugs saves you valuable time in researching relevant information.
A companion website offers access to the fully searchable book online, enabling you to quickly search the complete contents via drug, disease or drug action...wherever and whenever you need it.
Your purchase entitles you to access the web site until the next edition is published, or until the current edition is no longer offered for sale by Elsevier, whichever occurs first. If the next edition is published less than one year after your purchase, you will be entitled to online access for one year from your date of purchase. Elsevier reserves the right to offer a suitable replacement product (such as a downloadable or CD-ROM-based electronic version) should access to the web site be discontinued.
Foreword
Cardiovascular disease is destined to become an even more important cause of morbidity and mortality as the population of the so-called developing world ages and the epidemic of ischemic heart disease in more affluent and more obese persons in the developing world sets in. Fortunately, an ever growing array of drugs acting on the cardiovascular system continues to become available. These agents are more efficacious and better tolerated than their predecessors not only in the management of established disease, but also increasingly in prevention. However, both trainees and practitioners of medicine and cardiology have ever increasing difficulty in deciding how to choose the proper therapies for their patients. Professors Opie and Gersh's book provides a rational approach to help with these important decisions. Drugs for the Heart is a concise yet complete presentation of cardiac pharmacology and therapeutics. It presents, in a very readable and eminently understandable fashion, an extraordinary amount of important information on the effects of drugs on the heart and circulation. The editors and the talented authors they have enlisted have the unique ability to explain in a straightforward manner the mechanism of action of drugs without oversimplification. This book also summarizes the results of important clinical trials that have shaped regulatory approval and practice guidelines. Finally, it provides important practical information to the clinician.The seventh edition of this now well-established and admired book builds on the strengths of its predecessors. The excellent explanatory diagrams (an Opie trademark) are even better and more numerous than in previous editions, while the text and references in this rapidly moving field are as fresh as this week's journals. For example, since the publication of the sixth edition the landscape of care of the patient with acute coronary syndromes has changed considerably. Among the many new drugs described in this edition include: nebivolol, a new beta blocker that generates nitric oxide; new anti-anginals that block the late inward sodium current (ranolazine), or slow the heart rate (ivabradine); renin blockers in the treatment of hypertension; vaptans in the management of acute heart failure; and anti-arrhythmic agents such as vernalakant for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. Among antithrombotics are bivalirudin, a direct thrombin inhibitor, fondaparinux, a factor Xa inhibitor; the new antiplatelet drug, prasugrel; ezetimibe, an inhibitor of cholesterol absorption; as well as glitazones and incretin enhancers in the management of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
I strongly recommend this concise volume which will be of enormous value and interest to all—specialists, generalists, clinicians, trainees at all levels, teachers and scientists—who wish to gain a clear understanding of contemporary cardiovascular therapeutics and apply this information most effectively in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease.
Eugene Braunwald, MD
Key features
- Includes online access to a companion website where you can quickly search the complete contents of the book by drug, disease, or drug action.
- Features the practice-proven experience of two well-known editors who represent the best possible combination of clinical and research expertise in cardiovascular therapeutics.
- Offers easy-to-access, useful information on when to use each drug-and for what conditions-in a chapter entitled "Which Drug for Which Disease."
- Discusses the management of single diseases and multiple comorbidities.
- Summarizes each drug class at the end of chapters to expedite reference.
Website Features
- Consult the book from any computer at home, in your office, or at any practice location.
- Instantly locate the answers to your clinical questions via a simple search query.
- Quickly find out more about any bibliographical citation by linking to its MEDLINE abstract.
- Images Browse a Library of all book images. Easily select, organize, and download your images into a presentation.
- Supplemental Tables Several key tables from the last edition have been included---available only online!
New in this edition
- Incorporates all-new drugs, preparations, and clinical trial data in each chapter, equipping you to make the most up-to-date, informed clinical decisions.
- Offers anytime, anywhere online access to the complete contents of the book -fully searchable-, along with downloadable image library, references linked to Medline, at expertconsult.com.
- Offers expanded coverage of comorbid diseases through new chapters on metabolic syndrome, hyperglycemia, and diabetes.
- Features an increased emphasis on the practical use of drugs through highlighted sections and key illustrations, saving you time in searching for relevant information.
- Presents the work of several new contributors who represent a broad international perspective to equip you with a global view of cardiovascular pharmacology.
Contents
Author Information
- Chapter 1 - β-Blocking Agents
- Chapter 2 - Nitrates and Newer Antianginals
- Chapter 3 - Calcium Channel Blockers (Calcium Antagonists)
- Chapter 4 - Diuretics
- Chapter 5 - Inhibitors of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme, Angiotensin II Receptor, Aldosterone, and Renin
- Chapter 6 - Acute and Chronic Heart Failure: Positive Inotropes, Vasodilators, and Digoxin
- Chapter 7 - Antihypertensive Drugs
- Chapter 8 - Antiarrhythmic Drugs and Strategies
- Chapter 9 - Antithrombotic Agents: Platelet Inhibitors, Anticoagulants, and Fibrinolytics
- Chapter 10 - Lipid-Modifying and Antiatherosclerotic Drugs
- Chapter 11 - Metabolic Syndrome, Hyperglycemia, and Type 2 Diabetes
- Chapter 12 - Which Therapy for Which Condition?
Author Information
- Lionel H. Opie, MD, DPhiL, DSc, FRCP, Codirector, Cape Heart Centre annd Medical Research Councill's Interuniversity Heart Research Group; Professor of Medicine, University of Cape Town Medical School, Cape Town, South Africa; Visiting Professor, 1984-1998, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, Stanford, CA.
- Bernard J. Gersh, MB, ChB, DPhil, FACC, Professor of Medicine and Chair, Cardiovascular Education, Mayo Medical School; Consultant, Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN.
Book Details
- Paperback: 512 pages
- Publisher: Saunders; 7th edition (December 1, 2008)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1416061584
- ISBN-13: 978-1416061588
- Product Dimensions: 10 x 4.8 x 0.8 inches
List Price: $76.95