Congenital heart defects (CHD) are the most frequent malformation in the human fetus and are the leading cause of mortality due to malformations in the first year of life. Despite its clinical importance screening performed by ultrasonographic examination during the second trimester of pregnancy has shown disappointingly low detection rates mainly due to the difficulties in obtaining an adequate examination of the fetal heart. Four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound of the fetal heart has been recently suggested as a tool to improve the detection rate of CHD by decreasing the dependency on operator skills required in two-dimensional ultrasound scans but up to now no practical manuals are available in describing its application in clinical practice for the study of fetal heart. The objective of this Ebook is to explain the role of 4D during second trimester examination and in fetuses with CHD. The technique of obtaining 4D volume of the fetal heart, how to navigate in the volume to obtain diagnostic planes and how to use semiautomatic and automatic software of analysis are described. We believe that after reading this book the standard fetal cardiac anatomy survey can be performed in the second trimester fetus by 4D in both normal and abnormal hearts. This approach may reduce the operator dependency in diagnosis CHD. This Ebook should prove to be a valuable resource for obstetricians, sonographers and pediatric cardiologists.

Frontiers in Myocardia is an eBook series which compiles information about the structure and function of myocardial (the heart muscles) and includes updated reviews on the recent developments in the treatment of associated diseases such as angina, cardiac arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. Advances in research on clinical sepsis in the last few decades have lead to the use of new concepts and treatment paradigms that have been tested and implemented in the clinical setting of Intensive Care Units around the world. An integrative approach towards understanding the pathophysiology of cardiac dysfunction in septic patients can, therefore, lead to better patient outcomes. The first volume of this series, Septic Cardiomyopathy: from bench-to-bedside, integrates new and old information about the molecular mechanisms, histopathological and electrophysiological alterations with novel findings for diagnosing treating septic cardiomyopathy. This eBook attempts to bridge the gap between basic and clinical scientists and presents new data on different aspects of cardiac physiology during critical illness in a single volume. Chapters in this volume also cover cardiovascular changes that occur as a consequence of sepsis including metabolic, mitochondrial arrhythmic changes. This eBook will add significant value to medical students, cardiac physicians and medical scientists engaged in the field of critical care medicine.

Nuclear cardiology is critical for the medical evaluation of patients with heart disease. Clinical Nuclear Cardiology: Practical Applications and Future Directions is the second volume of this series. The volume provides information about the clinical application of imaging techniques (such as SPECT and PET) in clinical practice with the goal of guiding health care professionals to make informed decisions for identifying cardiac risk in patients with heart disease. The information in the book covers four broad aspects of nuclear cardiology: - Myocardial Perfusion Scintigraphy - Fatty Acid Imaging - Neurotransmission imaging - Molecular Imaging and Preventive Medicine Readers will be equipped with information necessary for understanding the diagnosis and management of a variety of cardiomyopathies through various imaging technologies. This volume is a comprehensive reference for cardiologists and medical imaging technicians involved in clinical settings as well as medical students who require an understanding of the cardiovascular aspects of nuclear medicine.

Compendium on Cardiomyopathies provides an easily readable source of material for practicing physicians, clinicians, cardiologists, intensivists and emergency medicine specialists. It presents an overview of different cardiomyopathies with information known from the past to the present. Chapters cover different kinds of cardiomyopathies: hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, pediatric cardiomyopathies, arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, inherited cardiomyopathies, Chagas disease, Takotsubo cardiomyopathy and more. Readers will be informed about current research on different aspects of these cardiomyopathies such as etiology, important imaging methods used in diagnosis and treatment, genetics and clinical management. This compendium also introduces the reader to new terms describing groups of cardiomyopathies to enable them to apply modern clinical management principles while treating patients.

This e-book starts with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles in Electrocardiography (ECG) with just enough depth to lift the reader above the crowd when it comes to understanding the physics behind ECG. Subsequent chapters provide an approach to the analysis of the ECG. The most important followed by sections with insight into conduction abnormalities, arrhythmia, and myocardial ischemia. The e-book has a straightforward layout, a very clear format, and abundant ECG tracings for interested readers. The diagnostic algorithms provided in the volume prove to be very useful in daily medical practice. Overall, the e-book will help novice physicians, students and fellows to improve their knowledge in ECG interpretation. Electrocardiography (ECG) is, therefore, a very attractive book for all levels of physicians and health-care professionals interested in ECG and it is a welcome addition to the medical literature.

"Degenerative aortic valve disease is the most prominent cardiac valve disease in Western societies. This volume describes some of the more important issues and problems for this condition: its progressive character and the underlying mechanisms of this progression diagnostic difficulties 1) ascertainment of valvular origin of symptoms in elderly; 2) the challenge of the low output – low gradient syndrome; 3) moderate aortic valve calcification during CABG; 4) prediction of the rate of progression (who will need surgery on short term and who not). the burden on the left ventricle and its consequences (danger of postponement of surgery) the effect and the modalities (access, types of valves) of surgical treatment on survival (and QoL) the mode of registering postoperative complications determining predictors for valve related, non-valve related cardiac and non-cardiac postoperative complications. The e-book is a unique presentation, specific to degenerative aortic valve disease and its treatment including information about ways to deal with the progressive character of the disease (autophagy as a mode of cell death). Cardiologists still avoid or delay referring patients to the surgeon for the sake of age, left ventricular function or co-morbidity. Therefore, the e-book benefits readers by addressing the above issue and providing critical information for changing referral policy, which would ultimately enhance postoperative survival of patients suffering from heart valve disease."

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are known to play an important role in gene expression regulation. Owing to their ever-increasing implications in the control of various biological and pathological processes, miRNAs have now been considered novel biomarkers of various human diseases including, cancer, viral disease, cardiovascular disorders, metabolic disturbances, etc. Unique expression profiles have been associated with specific pathological states. Cardiovascular disease is among the main causes of mortality in developed countries. The pathological process of the heart is associated with altered expression profile of genes that are important for cardiac function. The implications of miRNAs in the pathological process of the cardiovascular system have recently been recognized, and the research on miRNAs in relation to cardiovascular disease is now in rapid progress. The aim of this ebook is to present updated research on the subject with analyses from published reports. Micro RNAs and Cardiovascular Disease caters to the growing interest and information needs of cardiac clinicians and gene expression researchers.

Historically, patients with advanced structural heart disease have required major surgery to correct the defect. This includes, for example, patients with atrial septal defect, aortic valve disease and mitral valve disease. In recent years there have been major advances in the treatment of patients with structural heart disease using minimally invasive, percutaneous treatments. This field continues to evolve quite quickly. This e-book outlines the current situation with respect to minimally invasive treatment of a wide range of structural cardiac defects. Each chapter covers details of a structural defect and outlines various technologies available for treating the condition. Indications for procedures as well as details of the procedures are also provided wherever possible. This e-book should be a useful reference for readers interested in minimally invasive cardiovascular surgery.

Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease summarizes information about nanotechnology that is used in the diagnosis and regenerative treatment of heart diseases. Chapters in this reference introduce the reader to the basics of cardiac nanomedicine and cardiac regeneration before moving to advanced topics such as nanomedicine in cardiovascular diagnosis, imaging and therapeutics. </P> Key Features </P> - 13 chapters that cover nanotechnological aspects of cardiovascular diseases, contributed by expert scholars </P> - Simple, reader-friendly text suitable for readers of all academic levels </P> - Covers introductory topics of nanomedicine regenerative medicine in cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular diagnosis and therapeutics </P> - Covers advanced topics such as cardiovascular nanotheranositics, cardiac reprogramming, biomimetics, drug delivery systems and smart nanomaterials </P> - Includes a chapter on ethical implications in cardiovascular nanomedicine </P> - Includes bibliographic references for each chapter </P> Nanomedicinal Approaches Towards Cardiovascular Disease is a simple. informative reference on cardiovascular nanomedicine for scholars, healthcare professionals and nanotechnology enthusiasts, alike, which provides holistic knowledge on the subject in a single volume.