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  Score: 94
A Sonographer's Guide to the Assessment of Heart Disease
ISBN: 978-0-9923222-0-5, 505 pages, Hard Cover
ISBN-10: 0-9923222-0-0
Edition: 1st
Copyright: 2014
Author: Anderson, Bonita
Specialties: Radiologic Technology , Cardiology
Publisher: MGA Graphics
List Price: $149.00

At A Glance
Written by a sonographer for sonographers, this text primarily discusses the role of echocardiography in the assessment of heart diseases. The book is mostly designed for students of echocardiography, teachers of echocardiography and cardiac sonographers working in routine clinical practice, but will also be very useful to echocardiologists and cardiac registrars. The goal of the text is to provide a comprehensive review of transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of various cardiac pathologies. Refresher notes on cardiac anatomy and the relevant cardiac physiology and pathophysiology are included to expand the cardiac sonographer's knowledge in this area and further their understanding of various diseases, disease processes and associated findings. This comprehensive text is supported by over 720 figures including over 1,200 echo images, over 130 pathological photos and many illustrations. It also includes several appendices, numerous tables and technical tips which highlight key concepts. Hard-cover bound with 507 printed pages, this text is ready to be adopted as any sonographer's constant companion while dealing with the many challenges that arise in performing an echocardiographic examination.
Expert Review
Reviewer
Andrew Klapperich,  BS, MS   (Froedtert Hospital)
Description
This is a comprehensive guide to the anatomy, physiology, and pathophysiology of cardiac structure as seen in transthoracic echocardiography. It thoroughly reviews the normal and diseased heart and how to assess it with qualitative and quantitative measures. Each chapter uses excellent 2D, color, and Doppler illustrations to foster understanding of principles.
Purpose
Intended as a guide and review of transthoracic echocardiography in the assessment of various cardiac pathologies, the book includes refresher notes on cardiac anatomy and relevant physiology to improve understanding of various diseases.
Audience
Students of echocardiography, educators, and sonographers in clinical practice are the intended audience, and the book can be a very useful resource for all of them. The author has written two editions of Echocardiography: The Normal Examination of Echocardiographic Measurements (MGA Graphics)..
Features
The book assesses 2-dimensional and valvular diseases of the heart, providing equations and formulas for calculating 2-dimensional measurements of all chambers of the heart, quantification of hemodynamics, and valvular areas. Clear 2D, color, and Doppler images illustrate physiology and pathology. Sections of each chapter are clearly delineated with color. All tables, which cover formulas, anatomical features, normal vs. abnormal values, methods for measuring, and qualitative and quantitative relationships are outlined in royal blue. Orange boxes are used for definitions. Orange tables highlight technical methods and caveats to aid the sonographers as they scan. Green tables at the end of each chapter contain key teaching points. Beautiful pathology slides are incorporated to highlight the true appearance of the diseases. And lastly, suggestions for further reading conclude each chapter. As the author states, the book does not discuss advanced topics of 3D, strain, and strain rate imaging.
Assessment
As a practical guide to how cardiovascular disease can be evaluated and quantified, this book can help enhance one's knowledge and skills in practicing echocardiography. It references organizations such as the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Society of Echocardiography. While the discussions are in depth, the book is not as overwhelming as Feigenbaum's Echocardiography, 7th edition, Armstrong and Ryan (Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2010), can sometimes be.
Range Question Score
1-10 Are the author's objectives met? 10
1-10 Rate the worthiness of those objectives. 8
1-5 Is this written at an appropriate level? 5
1-5 Is there significant duplication? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Are there significant omissions? (1=significant, 5=insignificant) 5
1-5 Rate the authority of the authors. 4
1-5 Are there sufficient illustrations? 5
1-5 Rate the pedagogic value of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Rate the print quality of the illustrations. 5
1-5 Are there sufficient references? 5
1-5 Rate the currency of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the pertinence of the references. 4
1-5 Rate the helpfulness of the index. 5
1-5 If important in this specialty, rate the physical appearance of the book N/A
1-10 Is this a worthwhile contribution to the field? 10
1-10 If this is a 2nd or later edition, is this new edition needed? N/A
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