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Thrombosis and Hemorrhage
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J Loscalzo and AI Schafer; eds. 1337 pages. Boston: Blackwell Scientific; 1994. $225.00. ISBN 0-86542-263-X. Order phone 617-876-7000.
Thrombosis and Hemorrhage was the third major reference text published in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis in 1994. The third edition of Haemostasis and Thrombosis (Bloom et al Churchill Livingstone), first published in 1981, is edited by experts from the United Kingdom; the third edition of Haemostasis and Thrombosis: Basic Principles and Practice (Colman et al JB Lippincott) is edited by North American experts and was first published in 1982. Is there a need for a third text? Is there anything unique about Thrombosis and Hemorrhage?
Unlike the established texts, which were edited by acknowledged experts in the field, this book is edited by a cardiologist and a hematologist, both of whom have a special interest in the field. Thus, a fresh approach with a clinical emphasis is presented. Several chapters are common to the three texts. For example, Bauer has contributed excellent chapters on laboratory markers and hypercoagulability to each book; each of these chapters has similar text and some identical or only slightly modified figures. There is clear overlap in numerous other areas. Thrombosis and Hemorrhage is well produced and readable. The chapters on treatment are critical and particularly comprehensive and provide excellent, practical guidelines for the physician. The chapter on cerebrovascular disease by del Zoppo is particularly welcome because this topic is not dealt with separately in the other texts. The sections on laboratory methods provide complete and important insights for the nonexpert and give a clear understanding of a complex field. In the chapters on basic mechanisms, contributions from experienced scientists are well balanced with contributions from relative newcomers to the field. Despite these attributes, this text does not complement the established texts because it contains little that is new or unique. It has some catching up to do to establish itself as an alternative to the already accepted, highly successful books.
Thrombosis and hemostasis is one of the most dramatically changing fields in medicine; new discoveries in pathogenesis and treatment are constantly being made. The established texts are better because new advances have been readily incorporated into the current editions. Thrombosis and Hemorrhage is at a disadvantage because this could not be done.
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