Bővebb ismertető
Preface
THE PURPOSE of this monograph is to present fundamental principles of, and indications for, the use of the more important graphic methods now available for the investigation and treatment of heart disease. With the aid of these newer instruments and techniques, the well-informed physician is better pre-[lared than ever before accurately to diagnose, evaluate and treat a given patient with heart disease. He will know when and where to refer a problem case, and what ancillary investigative techniques are indicated. Many institutions, from the large university medical center to the well-equipped community hos-!lital, are now able to perform many of these procedures safely and accurately. While clinical diagnostic acumen and judgment remain the most important attributes for the practice of medicine, no patient must be denied the benefit of the newer advances.
The following compendium was originally planned to be merely a tran-scrijit of proceedings during the Silver Anniversary Meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 6th, 1959, and presented l)y a group from The Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. However, during its preparation, it was deemed advisable to have the authors enlarge upon their original presentations. Also, two additional topics of great importance not discussed at this particular symposium, namely, (1) angiocardiography, (2) selective angiocardiography and aortography, have been added. These two chapters have been prepared by outstanding authorities in the field, from the New York Hospital, New York, and the National Heart Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.
This is not a textbook. No claim is made foi' completeness in the ensuing pages in terms either of material or bibliography. Both are concerned with the highlights of the problem. Our purpose is solely to alert and stimulate the interest of the practicing doctor. The new techniques must be learned, and we are trying to present the more important ones in a simple and logical manner.
We would like to thank Dr. Alexander B. Gutman, Director of Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital, for his encouragement and cooperation. To our secretary. Miss Jeanne Pales, goes our gratitude for her indefatigable assistance.
A. M. M. E. D.