Valvular heart disease is an important clinical problem responsible for a significant number of deaths and hospitalizations worldwide. While the prevalence of rheumatic heart disease in Europe, North America, and Australia has markedly decreased in recent decades, valvular diseases continue to be a common problem. The burden of valve disease in these regions is increasing due to the rise in degenerative valvular disease that accompanies population aging.
There is less scientific evidence on valvular disease than on coronary heart disease. Therefore, books like this, written by authors with widely recognized experience, are particularly relevant.
This book addresses the most common valvular diseases and represents a valuable contribution to the Spanish language literature on this topic. It is divided into 7 chapters that describe the etiology, pathophysiology, pathology, signs and symptoms, diagnosis, natural history, and treatment of each valve disease over 246 pages. All the chapters have the same structure: the most noteworthy aspects of pathological anatomy, good echocardiographic images, and diagrams to facilitate understanding of the valve problem, and therapeutic procedures. Consequently, the contents are uniformly presented and educational. Each chapter is accompanied by extensive and current bibliography.
In short, this book on valvular heart diseases brings together the knowledge of a team of highly trained Argentine and Mexican specialists in such important and timely topics of cardiology as aortic stenosis. This book will not only be highly useful for cardiologists and cardiology residents in training, but may also be useful as a reference for any physician treating this type of patient.