Book Review

Aneurysms: New Findings and Treatments

N Engl J Med 1994; 331:208July 21, 1994

Article

Aneurysms: New Findings and Treatments
Edited by James S.T. Yao and William H. Pearce. 532 pp., illustrated. Norwalk, Conn., Appleton and Lange, 1994. $125. ISBN: 0-8385-0172-9

This comprehensive and up-to-date textbook on aortic surgery begins with a remarkable tribute and dedication to E. Stanley Crawford, M.D., one of this era's greatest vascular surgeons. He set the standard for surgery on complex and thoracoabdominal aneurysms at a time when the incidence of this challenging problem was increasing, along with the age of the population. This beautifully written tribute should inspire young vascular surgeons and rekindle memories in those who knew Dr. Crawford.

The book covers all aspects of aneurysms: basic science, epidemiologic features, and practical clinical evaluation and therapy. Its nine sections address the cause, epidemiology, evaluation, and surgical and medical treatment of both common and unusual aneurysms.

This is not a textbook for medical students. Rather, the intended audience is vascular specialists, whether surgeons or fellows. Although sections of the book would be appropriate for vascular radiologists or cardiologists who see many patients with aneurysmal disease, Aneurysms is not a basic textbook. It builds on fundamental knowledge and experience and provides a thorough update on new discoveries and options for treating aneurysms. As in any multiauthored textbook, some chapters are easier to read than others. The emphasis occasionally reflects the authors' biases, all of which are supported by literature citations. One has only to go to any national or regional meeting on vascular disease and listen to a discussion of clinical papers to see the variation in opinion. In areas of controversy, however, most chapters provide both sides of the argument.

The superb figures supplement the clear descriptions of disease classification, methods of evaluation, and surgical procedures. Appropriate tables and diagrams enhance comprehension of the classification of various disease entities and outcomes. Extensive citations back up the points made, and some chapters conclude with a helpful comment or conclusion for the busy practitioner who wishes a quick summary. The style of the chapters is primarily that of a lecture, with sections that carry the reader logically through the thought processes involved in evaluating and managing unusual problems related to aneurysms.

As a complete and up-to-date treatise on aneurysmal disease, this book is first-rate. It belongs on the shelf of every practitioner who deals regularly with aneurysms and aneurysmal disease.

Glenn LaMuraglia, M.D.
Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA 02114