Interview with Dr. Michael Ragosta

How has your book evolved since the previous edition? How has it evolved since the first edition?

While the basic physiology of cardiac conditions is timeless, there has been an explosion of information over the past decades about the invasive assessment of patients with coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, cardiogenic shock, and heart failure. Much of what we are doing in the cardiac catheterization laboratory has changed based on new developments in structural heart interventions. Thus, the Textbook of Clinical Hemodynamics, 3rd Edition reflects the advances made in the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions as reflected in the hemodynamic assessment performed in the cardiac catheterization laboratory. 

What is the most exciting aspect of the new edition? What chapter or topic covered in the new edition are you most excited about? 

The Textbook of Clinical Hemodynamics, 3rd Edition includes up-to-date information on structural heart interventions and advances in the hemodynamic assessment of patients undergoing structural heart procedures. There are several new sections including chapters on diastolic heart failure and bedside monitoring of critically ill patients and we have also incorporated information on non-invasive hemodynamics assessment using echocardiography in the appropriate sections of the text.

Who will find the greatest value from this book and why? Has the audience changed since the book first published?

The audience remains broad and includes practicing interventional and invasive cardiologists, cardiology fellows in training, nurses and techs that work in the cardiac catheterization laboratory and intensive care units, internal medicine trainees and any other individual interested in understanding the clinical and practical aspects of cardiac physiology.

What new ideas, practices, or procedures would you like to highlight for the new edition? 

The chapter on coronary physiology has been updated to include many of the new invasive assessments of coronary blood flow and the sections on management of cardiogenic shock and ventricular support are particularly useful for practitioners.

About the Author

Michael Ragosta, MD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Virginia. He is a practicing Interventional Cardiologist with more than 30 years of experience in complex coronary and structural heart interventions.

Purchase your copy of Textbook of Clinical Hemodynamics, 3rd Edition here!