Clinical practice guidelines have become an essential tool for decision-making in routine patient management but, because of their length, can sometimes be difficult to read and, when several guidelines deal with the same topic, the result can be confusing. In addition, their proliferation and continual updating hamper extraction of the main points and their application in daily clinical practice.
The book published by Drs. Katritsis, Gersh, and Camm, who are also the only authors, overcomes by far the abovementioned limitations of clinical practice guidelines. The 63 chapters of this work provide recommendations from both the European Society of Cardiology and the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association, without distinction, in a series of tables, figures, and algorithms arranged in a coherent and well-structured manner. The online edition ensures that the book will be updated periodically.
The most most positive aspect of the book is perhaps the organization of the chapters. In general, each begins with a definition and modern classification of the nosological entity to be discussed, followed by a section on the pathophysiology. A brief clinical description is accompanied by the measures required for the correct diagnosis. The chapters usually conclude with the treatment. All of this is put forward in the context of clinical practice guidelines, ending with a list of selected literature references that include some from 2013. The approach is essentially practical, with a great sense of the clinical setting and a concise and instructive style.
In short, this book is of enormous interest to clinical cardiologists because it is easily consulted and understood, and provides detailed information to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of heart disease.