The Beta-Blocker Story: Getting it Right
The Beta-Blocker Story: Getting it Right provides an essential guide for medical students and practitioners assessing patients for beta-blocker therapy. Using an evidence-based approach, the author, John Malcolm Cruickshank, provides readers with a thorough overview of beta-blocker use in the treatment of conditions such as ischemic heart disease, post-myocardial infarction, heart failure, dysrhythmias, and hypertension.
The Beta-Blocker Story: Getting it Right received a 100 score from Doody’s Review Service. See review below.
© Doody’s Review Service
Reviewer: Zachary Dowdy, MD (Ochsner Clinic Foundation)
Description
This small book offers a relevant and up-to-date overview of beta blocker use in different clinical scenarios, including ischemic heart disease, heart failure, dysrhythmias, and hypertension.
Purpose
The author uses an evidence-based approach to explain the efficacy of beta blocker use in various clinical conditions. This approach is necessary, as physicians must have a firm evidence base to appropriately explain to patients the rationale behind beta blocker use. This book is essential because it consolidates the evidence to justify beta blocker use in certain conditions. It meets its objectives by thoroughly assessing beta blocker use for each condition.
Audience
The intended audience is students, house staff, and practitioners. The book targets practitioners who appreciate evidence-based medicine, including general internists and subspecialists. It meets the needs of those who prefer to have literature on their side before prescribing a medication. The author is a cardiovascular consultant who has published other books on similar topics.
Features
The book does an excellent job of organizing the content in each chapter. For instance, it separates into two subsections one early and late intervention when beta blockers are used in the postmyocardial infarction period. The author refers to large trials as well as biochemical pathways in an easy-to-follow manner. The many figures help readers conceptualize the material.
Assessment
This is a top quality book in that it provides evidence-based, easy-to-follow insights into the role of beta blocker therapy. It’s up to date with literature references. The intended audience should appreciate this book, since it does a thorough job in fewer than 100 pages.