Cardiomyopathy.

Abstract

When confronted with a 400-page book dealing with cardiomyopathy, most clinicians respond with two questions: Is that much known about cardiomyopathy? If so, do I want to know that much about it? Volume 4 of the Cardiovascular Clinics Series is profusely illustrated, carefully edited, and sells for $12. It justifies an affirmative answer to both questions. Furthermore, it is a real bargain at current prices. Eighteen separate chapters are written by 22 contributing authors who are world authorities in their respective fields. Only by listing the chapter headings can the magnitude of this text be indicated: "Pathology of Cardiomyopathy," "Physiology of Idiopathic Cardiomyopathies," "Diagnosis of the Myocardial Diseases," "Electrocardiographic and Vectorcardiographic Patterns in Cardiomyopathy," "Myocardial Malfunction of Unknown Cause," "Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy of the Left Ventricle," "Infectious Myocarditis," "Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy," "Ischemic Cardiomyopathy: Diagnostic, Pathophysiologic, and Therapeutic Considerations," "Nutritional Heart Disease," "Toxic Agents and Cardiomyopathies," "Postpartal Cardiomyopathy," "Cardiomyopathy Associated with Systemic