PREFACE

otally revised for its fourth edition, Cardiac Electro- T physiology: From Cell t o Bedside remains a cornerstone repository of accurate, reliable, and current cardiac elec- trophysiology information for the bench scientist, the academic and practicing electrophysiologist, and the cardi- ologist interested in electrophysiology. The book includes authors who have literally and figuratively written the chapters in their various areas of expertise. As such, the book continues to live up to its subtitle of “From Cell to Bedside” by combining information from both disciplines between its covers. This edition maintains the tradition established by the preceding editions of being the com- plete reference work in the field. The first 51 chapters cover the basic science of cardiac electrophysiology, while the next 69 chapters address clinical topics. Throughout the text, the reader will have access to the latest updates and information from the world’s leading experts.

Examples of new basic science chapters include those addressing the molecular and structural bases of HCN, stretch-activated and inward rectifier channels. In addition, a new chapter on contraction-excitation feedback provides the latest information on the manner in which mechanical activity of the heart modulates electrical function. A chapter on nerve sprouting and arrhythmias addresses the inter- esting problem of how neural remodeling resulting from the sympathetic nerve sprouting following a myocardial infarction may serve as a trigger for ventricular tachycardia and fibrillation in the electrically remodeled myocardium. Two new chapters on mechanisms of atrial fibrillation address the role of the pulmonary veins as fertile ground for the initiation of the arrhythmia by focal activity arising within one of such veins, and how the maintenance of acute atrial fibrillation depends on a localized reentrant source(s) in the posterior left atriudpulmonary vein region, with fibrillatory propagation toward the right atrium. A chapter on mechanisms of ventricular fibrillation discusses the potential role of the so-called strong inward rectifymg potassium channels in determining the stability of rotors responsible for such a lethal arrhythmia. The new chapter on transgenic and knockout models of cardiac arrhythmias reviews the methods for engineering mice and studying

electrical function and examines current genetic models relevant to cardiac electrophysiology. On the other hand, the way in which multiple common DNA variants across the genome modulate drug responses is addressed in a new chapter on pharmacogenomics and cardiac arrhythmias. New chapters on important clinical topics include Brugada syndrome, catecholaminergic and short-coupled ventric- ular tachycardia, as well as the use of implantable loop recorders. In addition, new mapping techniques are pre- sented, and the latest on new and nontraditional antiar- rhythmic drugs is discussed in detail, as are new results on catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation and the role of the pulmonary veins in atrial fibrillation.

Overall, readers will understand the molecular and cellular bases of cardiac electrical activity, mechanisms responsible for clinical arrhythmias, how to identify at-risk patients, how to evaluate them, and then how to treat with electrical, surgical, or drug management. Clearly, the uniqueness of this book is portrayed in its subtitle, so a reader can find in one place the basic and clinical issues of all aspects of cardiac electrophysiology. This is one of the most important features of Cardiac Electrophysiology: From Cell t o Bedside.

We recognize that cardiac electrophysiology will con- tinue to undergo dramatic changes and that future advances may prove some, or even many, of the concepts presented in this edition wrong. However, we believe that the ideas presented herein will be a source of reference to anyone interested in cardiac electrophysiology for years to come.

As usual, the steadfast support of our wives, Joan Zipes and Paloma Jalife, has been essential in the successful completion of this book and is greatly appreciated. We wish to thank also all the contributing authors for their outstanding work and for helpingvs put together such a superb edition. The secretarial support of Laurie LeBouef and Janet Hutcheson is greatly appreciated. Finally we wish to extend our appreciation to Anne Lenehan and her associates at Elsevier for their patience and support, and for making it possible to bring this text to electrophysiol- ogws all over the world.

Douglas P. Zipes Jose Jalife

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