The second edition of the instructional booklet Heart failure by Gardner, McDonagh, and Walker brings 476 pages divided into seven parts with 42 chapters. The pocket format of this specialist-oriented edition is something Oxford University Press is well known for.

The topic of the book is heart failure, one of the most common public health problems today. Heart failure is a growing problem around the world, and it is a cardiological disease whose increased incidence and prevalence are related to the aging of the population and improved treatment for coronary heart disease.

The book opens with introductory information about this well-known syndrome, followed by chapters on chronic heart failure, comorbidities, acute heart failure, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, implementation and a multidisciplinary approach, and palliative care for patients with acute decompensated heart failure. The book closes with an index of terms.

The experienced team of Scottish educators divided the text to mirror the actual prevalence of specific forms of heart failure. Part one provides basic information on diagnosis, treatment, and the various types of chronic heart failure, taking up half of the book. The rest of the book resembles the fast onset of symptoms and signs that make up the clinical picture of heart failure, consisting of a quick succession of concise descriptions of clinical status, diagnosis, and treatment. The chapter on medical treatment focuses, as expected, on ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, aldosterone antagonists, and diuretics.

Clinical applicability of the contents and the modern illustrations are the most important reasons why you should choose this book. We recommend the book to cardiology specialists and residents in cardiology, internal medicine, and cardiac surgery, and it can also serve as a useful source of knowledge to nurses with a special interest or specialization in the heart failure.