Electrocardiography: The Monitoring and Diagnostic Leads, ed 2.

Electrocardiography: The Monitoring and Diagnostic Leads, ed 2

Wiederhold R. Philadelphia, PA 19106, WB Saunders Co, 1999, paperback, 416 pp, illus, $39.95.

This textbook is intended to be a primary or introductory text to the field of electrocardiography (ECG) for students in the health care professions or clinicians who are not cardiologists. It concentrates on dysrhythmia recognition and 12-lead ECG interpretation rather than on patient management or clinical symptomatology.

The book follows a logical progression beginning with cardiovascular anatomy and the basics of ECG. Chapters on descriptions of normal sinus rhythm, ectopies, sinus and atrial dysrhythmias, junctional dysrhythmias, heart blocks, ventricular dysrhythmias, and pacemaker rhythms take the reader from the simple to the more complex interpretation of ECGs. Methods for differentiation of ECGs are introduced in chapter 11. Included in this chapter is the Wiederhold algorithm, which was developed by the author to be an accurate and simple process of identifying dysrhythmias. Because the ability to interpret these rhythm strips is growing in importance for nonphysician health care clinicians who provide cardiac: care, the chapter on 12-lead ECG was added to this second edition. The remainder of the textbook contains approximately 429 practice ECG rhythm. strips, 41 advanced practice ECG rhythm strips, and 99 practice 12-lead ECG rhythm strips. A glossary of relevant terms and an index follow the text.

Each chapter begins with objectives and key terminology and ends with a summary and several self-study questions. Figures for each dysrhythmia and summary tables enhance the text throughout. The use of boldface type identifies the major distinguishing aspects of each dysrhythmia. Answer keys to all of the practice rhythm strips are provided. The removable flash cards at the end are a nice addition because they can be used as a quick and portable reference. All material is up-to-date and accurate.

This book fulfills the author's purpose as an introductory text to ECG interpretation and would be a worthwhile addition for health care students and clinicians who are learning about cardiac care. It also supplies important information for those who are seeking certification as a clinical specialist in cardiopulmonary rehabilitation. However, the lack of discussion about the correlations to symptoms or to the patient management of these dysrhythmias results in a reference of limited usefulness to the experienced physical therapist or certified cardiopulmonary clinical specialist who provides cardiovascular interventions.

Nancy B Schuster; PT
Community; Health Services
Portland, Me

Ms Schuster is currently the Physical Therapy Supervisor at a home health agency;. Her clinical focus is in the area of cardiopulmonary physical therapy across the continuum of care.3