Book Review
CT and MR Angiography: Comprehensive provides a complete basis for a fundamental understanding of
Vascular Assessment
Geoffrey D. Rubin, MD, and Neil M. Rofsky, MD, eds.
1316 pages. Philadelphia, USA: Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins, 2009. $275.00. ISBN 0-7817-4525-X
CT and MR Angiography: Comprehensive Vascular Assess-
ment is a thorough, up-to-date textbook covering all areas of
cross-sectional imaging of vascular disease. Dr Rubin and Dr
Rofsky are both leading authorities on cardiovascular imaging,
and their intention was to write a textbook that would be equally
useful both for practitioners with expertise in cardiovascular
anatomy and pathophysiology, and those with expertise in
cardiovascular computed tomography (CT) and magnetic reso-
nance imaging (MRI), bridging the gap between these 2 knowl-
edge bases. In addition to their direct contributions, they have
recruited an impressive array of authors at the forefront of
vascular imaging. For such an expansive project, they have
succeeded admirably, and this book will serve as a useful
reference for the wide range of specialists in vascular disease
including neurologists, neurosurgeons, cardiologists, vascular
and cardiovascular surgeons, cardiothoracic radiologists, neuro-
radiologists and interventional radiologists.
The book is divided into 3 sections: imaging principles,
essentials of vascular disease, and vascular anatomy and pathol-
ogy. Imaging principles is well organized into 6 sections cover-
ing basic principles of CT and MRI angiography, conventional
angiography, CT and MRI contrast media and postprocessing
and data analysis. For a textbook of this scope, these areas are
very well presented and have a level of thoroughness, detail and
simplicity of explanation that will be appreciated by those with
Downloaded from http://ahajournals.org by on August 18, 2023
both advanced and rudimentary knowledge of these subjects. For
instance, the chapter on CT angiography includes explanations
and illustrations of basic and advanced CT concepts, nuances of
multi-detector CT technology including the latest 128 detector
and dual source scanners, and CT perfusion techniques. This is
the most current and concise review of this subject that we have
seen in a textbook. Likewise, the chapters on MRI angiography
and postprocessing and data analysis are excellent, with detailed
explanations of subjects that will not overwhelm clinicians
lacking an exhaustive background in these areas. The review of
gadolinium and iodine contrast agents and kinetics is superb and
(Circulation. 2010;121:e430.)
© 2010 American Heart Association, Inc.
Circulation is available at http://circ.ahajournals.org
e430
contrast-based vascular imaging. The second part of the book is
devoted to the essentials of vascular disease, including the
epidemiology, pathophysiology, and in vivo characterization of
atherosclerosis, thromboembolism and vasculitides, and connec-
tive tissue disorders. These chapters are well researched and
present a fundamental and thorough review of the scope and
causes of vascular disease. The chapter on plaque imaging
presents an up-to-date review of this novel area of vascular
imaging, including discussion on intravascular ultrasound, CT,
MRI, and molecular plaque imaging. The remainder and largest
part of the book is dedicated to vascular anatomy and pathology,
tying together imaging principles and techniques with the organ
specific disease processes. This part is organized anatomically,
with 14 chapters covering brain, neck, cardiac, pulmonary,
abdominal and extremity vascular disease, as well as venous and
pediatric imaging. Each of these chapters reviews MRI and CT
imaging techniques, vascular anatomy, and pathology. Each
chapter is written by renowned subspecialists in these fields and
is reminiscent of review articles in leading journals. They are
complemented by excellent images, illustrations, and tables and
could independently form the basis for a textbook in those areas.
CT and MR Angiography: Comprehensive Vascular Assess-
ment has succeeded superbly in its ambitious goal of being a
useful resource for clinicians and imagers; neither will be
disappointed by either its level of sophistication nor its depth and
breadth. The text is beautifully and amply illustrated with
numerous recent MRI and CT images as well as novel illustra-
tions and diagrams. We are particularly impressed with how
up-to-date the material is for a textbook of this complexity and
interdisciplinary subject matter. We highly recommend this book
for anyone who practices or refers patients for vascular imaging.
We thoroughly enjoyed reading it and will recommend it for our
residency and fellowship programs.
Disclosures
None.
George E. Gentchos, MD
Anant D. Bhave, MD
Fletcher Allen Health Care
University of Vermont College of Medicine
Burlington, Vt
DOI: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.108.845818