Foreword

Since its introduction to clinical medicine more than a century ago, the electrocardiogram (ECG) has evolved into one of the most important diagnostic tools for the clinician. Most cardiac pathologies have an electrocardiographic correlate, and even in non-cardiac conditions such as alterations of body temperature, the ECG gives clues to the diagnosis and severity of the disease. The eBook by J.J. Goy and co-workers on ECG starts with a comprehensive overview of the basic principles with just enough depth to lift the reader above the crowd when it comes to understanding physics of electrocardiography. The subsequent chapters provide an approach to the analysis of the ECG. The most important sections follow with insight into conduction abnormalities, arrhythmia, and myocardial ischemia. The eBook is rounded up by chapters on long and short QT syndrome, and electrolyte abnormalities. In addition, the eBook is accompanied by a CD with 150 ECG tracings which are explained by animations.

I have been struck by the straightforward layout, the very clear format, and the abundant ECG tracings in this eBook. The diagnostic algorithms provided prove to be very useful in my daily work.

This makes this eBook very attractive for all levels of physicians and health-care professionals interested in ECG and it is a welcome addition to the medical literature. Congratulations to Professor Goy and coworkers on this important new eBook.