Our Review:

The Human Heart:  A Basic Guide to Heart Disease 2^nd Edition
By: Brendan Phibbs MD
Wolters Kluwer/ Lippincott Williams and Wilkins

     There has been a growing need for jargon-free medical literature which is both easily comprehended and accessible to the non-expert. In part, this need has arisen over the past several decades in response to the increased recognition of patients as equal partners in healthcare decisions.  However, medical students and professionals can also benefit from clearly written texts without extraneous detail or use of esoteric terminology as they are often presented with vast amounts of material to learn in a short time.  As a rule, we would expect any single resource, no matter how well written, to fail in serving both audiences effectively.  The Human Heart:  A Basic Guide to Heart Disease 2^nd Edition is a notable exception. 

     Brendan Phibbs has created a resource that distills the core knowledge of cardiology into highly readable chapters with simple diagrammatic aids to ensure understanding.  Each chapter is short and concise.  For example, the opening chapters which cover the basic structure of the heart are written from a functional perspective without extensive anatomical detail.  The majority of the book is devoted to cardiac pathophysiology and diagnostic techniques.  For a reference that is little over 200 pages in length, there is an admirable amount of practical information on topics ranging from pharmaceutical therapy options for coronary artery disease to the latest information on arrhythmia management.    

      Of great importance to the lay reader is a presentation of the most effective method of cardiopulmonary resuscitation developed by colleagues of the author.  This method differs fundamentally from prior standards but the rationale for the changes that are advocated is clearly set forth.  

     The author’s years of experience as a clinician and teacher show throughout the book.  One can imagine the text developing from a long list of “frequently asked questions” posed by his patients and students.  The text also reflects a deep understanding of how to avoid confusion while explaining complex physiological processes.  The book uses terms to which nearly any reader can relate.  This makes it an excellent primer on heart disease for medical personnel as well as comprehensive reference guide for patients who want to be better informed about their disease and treatment.

Reviewed by:  Joseph V. Russo, M.S.
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