Acute Cardiac care is the first book to cover the management of patients with acute chest pain syndromes from the point of view of the hospital physician and the community doctor. The book begins with an overview of the epidemiology and pathology of myocardial infarction, and a consideration of risk reduction. It covers the early management of acute chest pain and cardiac arrest in the community, and discusses the rationale behind providing effective community care. It then fully discusses hospital care, including investigation, diagnosis, and management of myocardial infaraction, and possible complications. There is a section dealing with practical procedures such as cardioversion and temporary pacing, and a chapter describing the commonly used cardiac drugs. Finally, there is a discussion of the recovery phase and rehabilitation and surveillance in the community. This practical, accessible, and up-to-date guide provides unique coverage of the whole process of cardiac care - giving the reader an unprecedented insight into the problems and issues faced by both sets of carers. This new paperback edition makes this invaluable information accessible to a much wider audience.