Patient's Guide to Heart Rhythm Problems

Todd J. Cohen, M.D., F.A.C.C., F.H.R.S., is the director of Electrophysiology, director of the Pacemaker-Arrhythmia Center, and director of Advanced EP Technology and Innovations at Winthrop-University Hospital. He is an associate professor of medicine at the State University of New York at Stony Brook, a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, the author of Practical Electrophysiology, and the inventor of a number of medical devices.

• Foreword, by Chris ChiamesPrefacePart One: The Basics1. Overview2. Who Is Your Cardiologist?3. The Pulse: Heartbeat and Rhythm4. Heart Rhythms5. The PumpPart Two: Heart Rhythm Abnormalities6. Slow Rhythms: Bradycardias7. Fast Rhythms: Tachycardias8. Ventricular Tachycardia and Ventricular Fibrillation9. Supraventricular Tachycardia10. Atrial Fibrillation11. Atrial FlutterPart Three: Sudden Cardiac Arrest12. Sudden Cardiac ArrestPart Four: Syncope13. SyncopePart Five: The Tests14. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)15. Stress Test and Related Procedures16. Continuous Monitoring Devices17. Echocardiogram18. Computerized Axial Tomography (CT) Angiogram and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)19. Cardiac Catheterization, Coronary Angiogram, Left Ventriculogram, Angioplasty, and Stenting20. T-Wave Alternans (TWA)21. Electrophysiology Study (EP Study)22. Tilt Table TestPart Six: Procedures and Medications for Treating Heart Problems23. Catheter Ablation24. Electrical Cardioversion and Defibrillation25. Heart MedicationsPart Seven: Devices for Treating Heart Problems26. Pacemakers27. Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICDs)28. Biventricular Devices29. Implantable Cardiac Monitors30. Device Implant Procedures31. Device Replacement and Lead Extraction32. RecallsPart Eight: The Diseased Heart33. Heart Failure34. Cardiomyopathy35. Hereditary ConditionsPart Nine: Prevention and Resuscitation36. Preventing Heart Disease37. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)38. Automatic External Defibrillator (AED)Part Ten: Follow-up and Patient Care39. Patient Follow-up40. Support Groups41. Defensive Patienting 101: A Primer on Patient SafetyAcknowledgmentsAppendixesA. When an Electrophysiology Study Is AppropriateB. When an Implantable Permanent Pacemaker Is AppropriateC. When an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator Is AppropriateD. When Biventricular Therapy Is AppropriateGlossaryBibliographyIndex

A superb book which is neither confusing or condescending for those seeking sound advice on Heart Rhythm Problems. -- Henry Purcell, Editor, British Journal of Cardiology Arrhythmia Watch 2011