Pathways
of Care in Vascular Surgery1 originated
at the symposium entitled The Evidence for Vascular Surgery, organized
by Joint Vascular Research Group (JVRG). This volume results from
the second symposium, held on June 2002 in Sheffield, and coordinated
by Prof. Jonathan D. Beard.
The
book is divided into five sections that include the most important issues related
to vascular surgery, with special focus on some topics that are usually overlooked
in most publications. This book is innovative and is surely a great contribution
to the field.
The
first section deals with the outpatient treatment of individuals with vascular
disease. In this section, special attention should be paid to the chapters on
risk factors and exercise programs for claudicating patients, in addition to those
that are concerned with the dynamics of clinics that care for patients with claudication
and leg ulcers.
Section
II consists of 10 chapters, in which diagnosis and endovascular intervention are
discussed. The selection of treatment and the follow-up of patients submitted
to endovascular surgeries are highlighted.
Conventional vascular surgery is
presented in the third section, which has nine chapters. The chapters are perfectly
written and include all the relevant items in a concise manner. Easy reading with
full details.
The
fourth section touches upon anesthesiology and pain management in the acute phase;
the management of chronically ill patients, quite frequent in our setting, is
underscored.
Section
V includes aspects that are often missed out in conventional textbooks, such as
medical and legal issues, data collection and auditing of results. Furthermore,
issues related to medical policy in a regionalized and integrated health system
are also presented. Since our health system has shown some tendencies towards
these policies, we should take a look at the long-established consolidated experience
of another country.
The
text is pleasant to read for it is concise and goes straight to the point. The
references introduce a new feature: those labeled as I or A, in terms of increased
evidence, are bold-faced, which helps us choose more consistent readings. Illustrations
and algorithms are also elucidative.
Our
conclusion is that this book, a contribution by English Prof. Jonathan
D. Beard, is supposed to please the Brazilian readership by giving
an update on vascular surgery.
1.
Beard JD, Murray S. Pathways of Care in Vascular Surgery. London,
UK: Tfm Publishing; 2002. 364 p. £ 30,00.
