Pathology of the heart and great vessels: Bruce F. Waller, ed. New York, 1988, Churchill Livingstone, Inc., 461 pages, $85.00

Abstract

Pathology of the heart and great vessels Bruce F. Waller, ed. New York, 1988, Churchill Livingstone, Inc., 461 pages, $85.00. This book is the twelfth volume in a series of books dedicated to contemporary issues in surgical pathology. It is unique among works related to cardiac pathology. It owes its uniqueness to the conscious focus given by its editors to cardiovascular disease as reflected in modern surgical pathology as compared to previous publications that have centered on findings in the autopsy suite. This new approach is in concert with the advances experienced in the care of patients with cardiovascular disease over the past half century since Gross first interrupted the arterial duct. Certain general comments can be made regarding the book as a whole. As already indicated, the concept of a surgical pathology book for cardiovascular disease is sound and timely. The book is well organized with sufficient breadth to be of interest to cardiologists, radiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, and pathologists. Most of the chapters are well written and the information contained within them is appropriately documented. Thus it is a valuable starting point for in-depth studies of particular subjects in the field of cardiovascular disease. The reader would benefit if more time had been spent in the design of the various chapters. It is particularly disconcerting to have the illustrations (which are generally quite well done) not well positioned as far as the related text is concerned. This applies to the associated tables as well. Some of the better chapters include an excellent discussion of the morphologic evaluation of surgically excised cardiac valves and surgical pathologic evaluation of tumors and cysts of the heart and pericardium. In his chapter on mitral valve regurgitation, Dr. Waller includes a strictly morphometric definition for the diagnosis of floppy mitral valves. His dissertation on this subject is illuminating and should be useful in sorting out this often confusing subject. The chapters on endomyocardial biopsy pathology are well illustrated and quite useful. The subject of excised prosthetic valves is helpful, although we continue to apply the term mechanical valves to synthetic valves. Probably, the term has been used incorrectly too long to hope for a realization of the fact that both tissue valves and synthetic valves are mechanical valves, and to use this term to differentiate the two is inappropriate. Perhaps the most disappointing chapter in the book is the one about nonneoplastic lesions of the aorta and pulmonary trunk. Although this chapter is well illustrated, the illustrations and text are not arranged in a convenient fashion. In addition, there is virtually no discussion of small vessel disease in either the systemic or the pulmonary circulation. This criticism notwithstanding, Pathology of the Heart and Great Vessels is a very good book. Dr. Waller and his collaborators are to be congratulated on advancing a rather new idea so successfully. Cardiovascular surgeons, cardiologists, radiologists, and pathologists will find this book to be a worthwhile investment.