Assessing Symptom Burden
Evaluating symptoms is a central part of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment system as suggested by the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD). Considering the pros…
GENERAL
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Associated COPD
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) was the first genetic risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) described. In the more than 50 years since its description, the disease continues to provide…
Host, Gender, and Early-Life Factors as Risks for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Although smoking results in lung pathology in many, still not all smokers develop chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Roughly a quarter of patients with COPD have never smoked. An understanding…
Epidemiology of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects about 300 million people worldwide, resulting in approximately 64 million disability-adjusted life years. Household air pollution affects almost 3 billion people worldwide and is…
Non–ST-Segment Elevation Acute Coronary Syndromes
In this chapter, we have drawn from evidence-based guidelines, adopted the standard classification schemas used to grade the level of recommendation and strength of supportive evidence, and provided updated information…
Initial Evaluation and Approach to the Patient with Hypertension
Overview and Definitions Hypertension is defined as a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140 mm Hg or higher, a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of 90 mm Hg or higher, or current use of antihypertensive…
Treatment of Ventricular Tachycardia and Cardiac Arrest
Sudden cardiac death (SCD) represents a major public health problem in the United States and throughout the world, with a frequently cited estimate of more than 300,000 adult sudden deaths…
Implantable Devices for the Management of Heart Failure
After decades focused on pharmacologic management, the year 2001 ushered in a new era of implantable device therapies for the management of heart failure (HF) with the U.S. Food and…
Advances in Coronary Revascularization
Overview The field of coronary revascularization was revolutionized more than 50 years ago, when the first successful coronary artery bypass surgery was performed, followed shortly thereafter by the first percutaneous…
Cardiovascular Disease and Lifestyle Modification
Because of the difficulty many patients have in improving their diet, physicians may be tempted to lose faith in a nonpharmacologic approach to the treatment of cardiovascular disease (CVD). This…
