Peter Thompson, MD, FRACP, FACC, MBA.
Cardiologist (formerly Director of Coronary Care at SCGH); Director of Research Development SCGH; Clinical Professor of Medicine & Population Health, UWA
Churchill Livingstone Elsevier 2011
ISBN: 9780729539272 (pbk)
Type and scope of book
This is a gold standard guide to coronary care treatment in 2011. This book moves from epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of the cardiology patient. This book is written by well-known experts in the field of cardiology in Australia and the World.
The 2nd Edition of this book is a updated version of the successful 1st edition 12 years ago. It highlights the standards in coronary care and shows the progression and outcomes in current treatments and therapies.
The book has an Australian slant and uses Australian statistics in comparison to world statistics. The book essentially comprehensively examines contemporary clinical practice in cardiology.
Contents
Section 1 Background to Coronary Care
Section 2 Epidemiology, Genetics and Risk Factors
Section 3 Pathophysiology
Section 4 Evaluation of the Patient
Section 5 Drug therapies
Section 6 Non-drug therapies
Section 7 Acute coronary syndromes
Section 8 Other cardiac problems
Section 9 Special problems in the coronary care unit patient
Section 10 Post coronary management
Strengths
This book has many strengths that Emergency Nurses will enjoy. The book is considered a must read for Coronary Care Nurses. The book sets the Australian standards for the treatment of Cardiology patients.
The layout and chapter design builds knowledge learnt from the previous chapters. This book uses a style and language that the Australian Emergency Nurse can easily understand.
The book uses many easily to understand diagrams and pictures. The diagrams add to the text and help give the student a sense of colour in using the text. The pictures included use good resolutions so you can see scans and the highlighted features. All pictures and diagrams are well analysed and referenced back into the text.
I really enjoyed reading Section 4 The Evaluation of the Patient. This examines thoroughly diagnosis of the Cardiac Patient. It goes The explanation of diagnostic techniques, ECG, CXR, and Biochemical Markers are well explained.
I found the Section 5 Drug Therapies chapter of particular use. I have increased my knowledge and understanding of the therapies from reading this book. The language of the descriptions of the drug therapies was highlight in my knowledge gain.
I liked the inclusion of the major cardiac research studies outcomes in providing evidence for treatments and therapies. This gives the book the edge of hard science to back up its knowledge delivery. The diagnostic studies use the Australian numeral values and ratios. This makes the book useful at the bedside in Australia in 2011 and beyond.
Deficiencies
Section 8-10 may have less relevance to the Emergency Nurse as these sections particular relate to Coronary Care and Cardiac Surgery. This although not essential reading for ED treatment and care, it is interesting as shows potential pathways and treatment options for this large client group.
As with all text book they can date easily. This authors department now uses a new Troponin T Sensitive test that is not covered by the book.
Recommended Readership
A fantastic read for any Emergency Nurse. Upon reading and understanding the knowledge of this book you will have advanced knowledge and skills in coronary care in Emergency Department presentations.
Coronary Care patients make up a large workload for any Emergency Department. Many others present with their complicated history and drug therapies. This book would be a fabulous reference book for any Emergency Department
Overall Rating
This is a excellent text book that sets the Australian Standards of Care in Coronary Care. The book is easily applied to the Emergency Nursing discipline. This is a topic that has great overlap in knowledge and treatment and is very applicable to Emergency Nursing.