From the first description of coronary thrombosis causing acute myocardial infarction in 1910, the classification of
myocardial infarction, its epidemiology and natural history, our understanding of its pathobiology, and the landscape of its management have evolved immeasurably. This first edition of Myocardial Infarction A Companion to Braunwald Heart Disease is aimed at distilling this century of evolution to its most important principles and capturing the contemporary state of the art of clinical care as well as translational and clinical science impacting the management of myocardial infarction.
As such, this textbook should be of interest to clinical practitioners, medical trainees, and scientists with an interest in ischemic heart disease and its complications.All of the contributors who have been involved in the development of this Myocardial Infarction A Companion to Braunwald Heart Disease ebook have labored to produce a book that will serve equally well for comprehensive review and as a readily accessible clinical resource for the busy clinician.
Author have been impressed by the changing landscape of print and electronic media and have worked to create a forward-looking text that offers both a traditional printed book and an interactive online version that is optimized for tablet and hand-held electronic reading. As such, the authors have molded figures, clinical management algorithms, animations, and videos into engaging, dynamic, and readily accessible educational media for our electronic readers.
The book is framed by the clinical course of care for the patient with myocardial infarction. It is divided into five
sections that navigate from the pathobiological underpinnings of atherothrombosis, through the critical initial clinical evaluation and in-hospital management of myocardial infarction, to culminate in the planning of short-term and long-term secondary prevention at the time of hospital discharge.
Myocardial Infarction A Companion to Braunwald Heart Disease content
Four of the sections include one or more chapters designated as a “Clinical Practice/Controversy” chapter, which are designed to be management-focused, practicalminded explorations of common, yet challenging, clinical decisions in the care of patients with acute myocardial infarction. In these chapters, internationally recognized leaders in their field have not only reviewed the current evidence and professional guidelines but also offered their own perspective on “best practice” in areas where there is equipoise or controversy.
It has been a tremendous privilege and pleasure to work with the exceptional group of clinical experts, educators,
and clinician-scientists who have contributed to this text, and I wish to thank each of them. Foremost, I wish to recognize the sage guidance of Dr. Eugene Braunwald, whose unwavering commitment to excellence is the foundation for Braunwald’s Heart Disease and each of its companions