Morton J. Kern, Editor.
Philadelphia, PA: Mosby, An Affiliate of Elsevier Science, 2003.
650 pages, with 496 illustrations.
Softcover $49.95
ISBN:0323022472
www.elsevierhealth.com

The Cardiac Catheterization Handbook, 4th Edition is designed as a resource for health care professionals who provide care in the arena of the cardiac catheterization laboratory. The topics are presented in a multi-disciplinary style, so health care providers from all disciplines will find it applicable. It is probably the first book that entry-level staff should purchase and read. The fourth edition is an updated work that adds new procedures, techniques and devices.

This manual is organized in a manner that lets the reader move from basic concepts and tasks to more complex procedures and technologies. Each chapter starts with a general overview of the chapter’s topic, and then delves into required equipment and preparation, indications, complications, diagnostic testing techniques, interventions, and outcome evaluations. The chapters on hemodynamic data and angiographic data will be especially helpful to novice staff and serve as a ready reference for more experienced staff. The manual makes abundant use of tables, charts and illustrations, which are well-placed, clear, and concise. Summary charts appear throughout the manual after large amounts of data have been presented, and can be particularly helpful as a quick reference.

The Cardiac Catheterization Handbook, 4th Edition addresses other diverse areas specific to cardiac catheterization laboratory. These topics are presented in the appendices and include: staff orientation, heart diagrams, functional anatomy of the heart, tables of units, calculations, conversions, basic electrocardiographics, and more.

The Cardiac Catheterization Handbook, 4th Edition is concise and easy to read. It offers a wealth of pragmatic knowledge and interventions that will be used on a day-to-day basis. It is an excellent first text for new staff and serves as a quick reference for experienced practitioners. It would be especially helpful in any cardiac catheterization laboratory.

The author has no conflict of interest to disclose.