Clinical Topics in Cardiology

Book excerpt: Cardiology is a sub-field of medicine concerned with the conditions of the heart and the circulatory system. This field encompasses the diagnosis and treatment of coronary artery disease, congenital heart defects, valvular heart disease and heart failure, among others. The chief specializations in cardiology fall within the two domains of adult cardiology and pediatric cardiology. Within these specific fields, there exist sub-specialties such as cardiac electrophysiology, echocardiography, cardiogeriatrics, pulmonary atresia, Ebstein anomaly, tetralogy of Fallot, etc. The heart is the center of focus in cardiology. Any patient with chest pain or any symptom suggestive of cardiovascular pathology will undergo a cardiac examination, which follows the stages of inspection, palpation and auscultation. This book covers in detail some existing theories and innovative concepts revolving around cardiology. The various sub-fields along with technological progress that have future implications are glanced at herein. For someone with an interest and eye for detail, this book covers the most significant topics in the field of cardiology.