A better understanding of the mechanisms and pathophysiological pathways of heart failure (HF), improved management of associated comorbidities, and advances in identifying genetic cardiac disease have led to a near-revolution in the management of patients in terms of pharmacological treatments, surgery and devices. These developments have transformed outcomes and HF-associated mortality, and gene therapies further promise a brighter future for patients who experience the debilitating effects of HF. This new edition of 'Fast Facts: Heart Failure' starts with the definitions of HF (different types of HF require different treatments), then provides the latest thinking on mechanisms and clinical stages, underlying causes and the assessment and management of comorbidities. This is followed by simple diagnostic criteria and a comprehensive overview of investigations. The management chapters focus on the importance of self-care education and healthy lifestyle choices, together with the latest recommendations for pharmacological treatment, device therapy and cardiac surgery from international guidelines. The final chapter on developments is an indication of the ongoing innovation in this rapidly moving field. Table of Contents: • Definitions, classification and epidemiology • Pathophysiology and clinical stages • Causes • Comorbidities • Diagnosis • General management and lifestyle considerations • Pharmacological treatment • Non-pharmacological management • Advanced HF therapies • Prognosis • Developments and future directions

Effective new treatments - from drugs to surgery to devices - are revolutionizing both outcome and wellbeing in patients with heart failure. Written with the non-specialist in mind, this practical resource distills a lot of complex information into a refreshingly readable format, with clear informative diagrams and useful pull-out tables. Highlights include: • a concise discussion of the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to heart failure • a detailed review of the causes and comorbidities of heart failure • simple advice on diagnosis and investigation • clear management principles, including healthy lifestyle choices for patients • evidence-based guidance on first- and second-line drug therapies and medical management that targets the underlying cause • a comprehensive overview of non-pharmacological treatment options, including devices and transplantation • important information on palliative care in end-stage heart failure. 'Fast Facts: Heart Failure' is the ideal resource for primary care providers, specialist nurses and cardiology trainees, and a good introduction to heart failure for all healthcare professionals who care for the elderly. Contents: • Definitions and epidemiology • Pathophysiology and clinical stages • Causes • Comorbidities • Diagnosis • General management and lifestyle considerations • Pharmacological treatment • Non-pharmacological treatment • Prognosis • Clinical trials and developments • Useful resources

Heart failure is a serious public health problem that has an enormous effect on individuals and families, as well as healthcare budgets around the world. Written with the non-specialist in mind, Fast Facts: Heart Failure provides: * a concise discussion of the pathophysiological mechanisms that lead to heart failure * a detailed review of the causes and comorbidities of heart failure * simple advice on diagnosis and investigation * clear management principles, including healthy lifestyle choices for patients * evidence-based guidance on first- and second-line drug therapies and medical management that targets the underlying cause * a comprehensive overview of non-pharmacological treatment options, including devices and transplantation * important information on palliative care in end-stage heart failure. This compact handbook distills a lot of complex information into a highly digestible, practical format. Clear, informative diagrams and useful pull-out tables complement the text, and a list of key points and references for further reading are provided at the end of each chapter. It is an ideal resource for primary care providers, specialist nurses and cardiology trainees, and a good introduction to heart failure for all healthcare professionals who care for the elderly.

A better understanding of the mechanisms and pathophysiological pathways of heart failure (HF), improved management of associated comorbidities, and advances in identifying genetic cardiac disease have led to a near-revolution in the management of patients in terms of pharmacological treatments, surgery and devices. These developments have transformed outcomes and HF-associated mortality, and gene therapies further promise a brighter future for patients who experience the debilitating effects of HF. This new edition of 'Fast Facts: Heart Failure' starts with the definitions of HF (different types of HF require different treatments), then provides the latest thinking on mechanisms and clinical stages, underlying causes and the assessment and management of comorbidities. This is followed by simple diagnostic criteria and a comprehensive overview of investigations. The management chapters focus on the importance of self-care education and healthy lifestyle choices, together with the latest recommendations for pharmacological treatment, device therapy and cardiac surgery from international guidelines. The final chapter on developments is an indication of the ongoing innovation in this rapidly moving field. Table of Contents: • Definitions, classification and epidemiology • Pathophysiology and clinical stages • Causes • Comorbidities • Diagnosis • General management and lifestyle considerations • Pharmacological treatment • Non-pharmacological management • Advanced HF therapies • Prognosis • Developments and future directions

Recent progress in interventional therapies has revolutionized the management of cardiac arrhythmias, resulting in a remarkable improvement in outcomes for patients. Yet the diagnosis and management of arrhythmias are still viewed as a complex and inaccessible area of modern cardiology. 'Fast Facts: Cardiac Arrhythmias' cuts through the technical detail to provide a better understanding of how the patient with arrhythmia presents, and how the problem should be best investigated and managed. Highlights include: • Succinct descriptions with clear well-annotated illustrations of normal conduction and the mechanisms of arrhythmias • A simple classification of arrhythmias based on 12-lead ECG patterns • A comprehensive review of presenting signs and symptoms, with key questions to ask the patient • A logical approach to investigation: predict it (history and examination), wait for it (monitoring) or provoke it (electrophysiological testing) • Practical information on management options: pharmacological therapy, direct cardioversion, catheter ablation and cardiac devices • The latest international guidelines on atrial fibrillation and catheter and surgical ablation • Important pharmacological updates, including the latest thinking on anticoagulation. This highly readable handbook is a practical resource for all primary care physicians, cardiologists in training, cardiac nurses, technicians and medical students seeking a better understanding of the mechanisms of arrhythmias and the contemporary therapies available, with a view to improving patient care. Contents: • Conduction within the heart • Classification and mechanisms of arrhythmias • Presenting signs and symptoms • Investigation • Management principles • Supraventricular arrhythmias • Atrial flutter • Atrial fibrillation • Ventricular arrhythmias • Rare and unusual arrhythmias • Cardiac devices: Pacemakers and defibrillators • Useful resources

All patients arriving at hospital with chest pain suggestive of myocardial ischemia require an immediate 12-lead ECG and medical assessment. Management will depend on the type of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) diagnosed. 'Fast Facts: Acute Coronary Syndromes' is an international evidence-based primer that focuses on optimizing patient outcomes via accurate initial diagnosis, appropriate risk stratification and proper therapeutic decision-making in line with both American and European management guidelines. This refreshingly readable handbook simplifies the complexities involved in the care of patients with ACS by: • Familiarizing readers with the common pathophysiology underlying all ACS • Detailing the specifics of clinical assessment (targeted history, symptom-oriented physical exam, electrocardiography, cardiac biomarkers and imaging) • Assisting best practice in ischemic risk stratification and assessment of bleeding risk • Outlining coronary revascularization techniques, reperfusion strategies and preventive measures • Providing an update on potent antithrombotic therapy (antiplatelet agents and anticoagulants) • Clearly explaining the latest developments that are likely to be implemented in the near future. In this fast-changing field it is difficult for healthcare professionals to remain current and virtually impossible to fully understand all of the subtle nuances of the available clinical trial data. This comprehensive handbook is therefore the essential resource for all healthcare professionals looking for up-to-date, easy-to read information that will assist best practice in the identification and management of all patients with ACS. Contents: • Pathophysiology • Diagnosis • Risk stratification and decision-making • Coronary revascularization • Unstable angina/non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction • ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction • Secondary prevention of coronary artery disease • Developments • Useful resources