Congenital Diseases of the Heart

This text discusses congenital cardiac disorders from the perspective of the abnormal haemodynamics of the circulation, reviewing current concepts as well as controversial issues (such as the advisability of procedures for alleviating cardiac lesions in utero).

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Congenital Diseases of the Heart: Clinical-Physiological Considerations, Fully Revised and Updated Second Edition represents the accumulated experiences of the author. Dr. Abraham M. Rudolph is recognized internationally as a leading contributor in the field of Pediatric Cardiology. Since the publication of the book's first edition in 1974, remarkable achievements in diagnostic and therapeutic techniques have been attained, making possible and necessary this thorough update of the work. A uniquely important contribution of this new edition is the discussion of the hemodynamic and clinical features and their impact at various stages of development-from fetus to neonate to infant to child and adolescent. Due to the advent of prenatal ultrasound and Doppler flow studies, concepts of the influence of congenital cardiac lesions that were once based largely on conjecture can now be measured, compared, and quantified. The book discusses congenital cardiac disorders from the perspective of the abnormal hemodynamics of the circulation, reviewing current concepts as well as controversial issues (such as the advisability of procedures for alleviating cardiac lesions in utero).
The physiology of the fetal normal circulation is presented and the effects of congenital cardiac lesions are discussed with particular reference to the interactions between the lesions and fetal cardiovascular development. A list of carefully selected references offers further guidance to relevant literature. Pediatric cardiologists, neonatologists, and pediatric intensive care physicians, as well as clinicians treating adult patients with congenital heart diseases, will find this updated classic to be useful, informative, and enlightening.