Handbook of Physiology: Section 2: The Cardiovascular System - Volume 1: The Heart

Abstract

Handbook of Physiology: Section 2: The Cardiovascular System - Volume 1: The Heart Editors: Page, Ernest, MD; Fozzard, Harry A., MD; Solaro, R. John, PhD, Bibliographic Data: (ISBN: 0-19-509886-2, NLM: QT 104, LC: QP6, Oxford University Press, Inc, 2002, $198.95) 822 pages, hard cover. Subjects: Physiology, Cardiology. At A Glance: This edition replaces the 1979 volume on the heart edited by Robert Berne in the Handbook of Physiology series. Its main sections will cover the pumping action of the heart, control of actin-myosin interaction in heart muscle cells, control of intracellular calcium concentration in heart muscle cells, cardiac electrophysiology, neurophysiology of the heart, and the interface between cardiac physiology and cell biology. Relevant clinical topics such as the physiology of heart failure and the molecular physiology of ventricular chamber growth and hypertrophy will also be included. DESCRIPTION: The American Physiological Society continues the tradition of the excellent quality of this series with this volume that provides an update on the latest information on the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in cardiac physiology. The first publication on the cardiovascular system, published in 1962, consisted of three volumes of essays on circulation. The 1979 publication dedicated an entire volume to the heart. This book is the third in the series. PURPOSE: The purpose is to provide access to the latest information on cardiac development, contraction, and electrophysiology. With recent research exploring the molecular basis for physiological function, this volume brings the reader the newest insights. The editors have successfully amassed a series of essays that are essential for the understanding of heart function. AUDIENCE: According to the editors, this volume is intended for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and experienced physiologists. They have done a good job in targeting this audience and they have done a good job in selecting appropriate people to author each chapter. FEATURES: The book consists of 21 chapters dealing with the cellular and molecular basis of the morphology, growth, and function of the heart. There are a number of fascinating color illustrations in the chapter on the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium ATPase. Of particular interest are the chapters on cardiac gap junctions and the newly cloned threshold channels (funny current channels). Another excellent feature is the closing chapter on a more modern view of heart failure written by Arnold Katz. ASSESSMENT: The concept of the Handbook is unique and makes it difficult to compare it with other books. This volume on the heart is an extension of previous publications and continues an excellent tradition. SCORE: Weighted Numerical Score: 96 - ****