Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Basic Theory and Application, ed 3.

Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation: Basic Theory and Application, ed 3

Brannon FJ, Foley MW, Starr JA, Saul LM. Philadelphia, PA 19103, FA Davis Co, 1997, hardcover, 486 pp, illus, $50.

The authors report that the third edition of this book has been extensively revised, but that the major goal remains the same: "to provide students and practicing clinicians with information necessary to develop their decisionmaking skills ... for cardiac and pulmonary patients." This book is intended for physical therapist students and practicing physical therapists, athletic trainers, and exercise physiologists.

The book contains a number of chapters on basic science, pathophysiology, assessment tools, and interventions. The basic science chapters covering the heart, circulation, respiration, and responses to aerobic exercise help develop the reader's background for a better understanding of the material in the later chapters. These chapters are informative, well written, and easy to read. However, the book contains an inadequate discussion of the autonomic nervous system's regulation of venous return and the role venous return plays in determining preload and cardiac output. This inadequacy limits the reader's ability to apply the information to other patient populations (eg, people with paraplegia).

The chapters on the pathophysiology of coronary artery disease and chronic lung diseases have been updated with current information and references. These chapters include discussions of the etiology, pathology, clinical presentation, clinical course, and prognosis for common chronic lung diseases and coronary artery disease. The chapters on pathology are followed by a chapter on the medical and surgical management of cardiopulmonary diseases. The chapter discusses several common classes of drugs in terms of action, uses, contraindications, side effects, and how they affect the patient's ability to tolerate exercise. Part of this chapter covers surgical management, providing the reader with a good understanding of many of the current surgical interventions being used.

The next portion of the book includes several chapters on examination and evaluation for patients with cardiac or pulmonary diseases. This portion of the book contains information on performing an evaluation and provides a background for understanding and interpreting common laboratory tests that are used with these patient populations. A separate chapter is devoted to understanding and interpreting electrocardiograms. All chapters in this portion of the book include case studies that promote problem-solving skills and provide clinical application of current theoretical concepts effectively.

The last portion of the book includes clinically relevant chapters on formulating an exercise prescription, components of therapy sessions, and risk-factor modification. These chapters use case studies effectively. In addition, there is a helpful section in chapter 12 devoted to patients who require special consideration (eg, patients with diabetes mellitus and peripheral vascular disease). The book contains many figures, illustrations, and tables that provide concise summary information and additional understanding of the material presented. The book ends with useful appendixes on informed consent and emergency procedures.

Although much of this information can be found in other textbooks, the presentation and the integration of case studies in this book makes it an excellent text for physical therapist students and clinicians.

Brad Stockert, PhD, PT University of the Pacific Stockton, Calif

Dr Stockert is Professor in the Department of Physical Therapy. He teaches physiology, pathology, and anatomy to physical therapist students and clinicians.