During the past 20 years the diagnosis and treatment of acquired mitral valve disease has drastically changed. The author has written a monograph about this subject with the assistance of six contributors. Emphasis has been placed on the approach used at the Mayo Clinic. After an interesting historical review of the development of mitral valve surgery, the author systematically proceeds to delineate the features of acquired mitral valve disease. The book encompasses the anatomical, pathological, physiological, radiological, clinical, and surgical aspects.
The functional anatomy and pathologic alterations are discussed and well portrayed in numerous photographs by contributor Jack L. Titus, MD. Anatomic details of the conduction system, annulus fibrosis, chordae tendineae, and papillary muscles are stressed in relation to surgical treatment. The clinical aspects of patients with mitral valve disease is related by Daniel C. Connelly, MD. Radiographic, electrocardiographic, and phonocardiographic characteristics are illustrated. Owings W. Kincaid, MD, depicts the